Space Merchant
- October 1, 2021
- Retora Games
Get on SteamFrom the makers of Merchant, an exciting new saga. Explore the depths of space... for profit! Send your ships out on quests, deal with random adventure events, research the tech tree, make new weapons, armor, and service items for your ships. Find strange aliens, learn their language, and take on their quests for the advancement of your enterprise. The classic Merchant meets a new twist w…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a nice space atmosphere and can be enjoyable for casual play.
- Players appreciate the ability to manage resources and engage in missions, making it a good time-killer.
- The crew cannot be injured, which adds a layer of strategy as players focus on ship upgrades instead.
- The game feels like a mediocre mobile port with a lack of substance and engaging content.
- Many features are locked behind paywalls, leading to frustration over the need to purchase DLC for essential gameplay elements.
- The gameplay is slow-paced and often requires excessive waiting, which can lead to boredom and a lack of challenge.
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of depth, primarily focusing on repetitive missions that revolve around resource generation rather than a compelling narrative. Players express disappointment over significant features being locked behind costly paywalls, which detracts from the potential for story expansion and exploration. Overall, while the game has engaging mechanics, it fails to deliver a meaningful plot or immersive universe.
“The concept is there, and aside from the fact that fueling the ships requires credits, as the resources are scarce enough to never be enough, I would say this is an okay game.”
“Once you get your head around the build mechanics and what builds to put where and just how long and grindy getting them is, switch to slot 2 and start again.”
“Do missions, upgrade ship and yard, and that's it.”
“Has no plot beyond generating credits.”
“Do missions, upgrade ship and yard and that's it.”
“Once you get your head around the build mechanics and what builds to put where and just how long and grindy getting them is, switch to slot 2 and start again, otherwise you unlock too much during research and quests dry up.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of resource management, quests, and idle elements, but many users find it lacking depth and fluency compared to the original. While some enjoy the mechanics, others criticize it as overly grindy and reminiscent of poor mobile game design. Overall, the experience is mixed, with enjoyment for some and frustration for others.
“Very enjoyable gameplay.”
“The gameplay is simple: resource management, quests, and some idle elements.”
“Once you get your head around the build mechanics and what builds to put where and just how long and grindy getting them is, switch to slot 2 and start again; otherwise, you unlock too much during research and quests dry up.”
“Surprisingly very little meat for gameplay here though.”
“Not even close to as fluent in gameplay as the original.”
“Once you get your head around the build mechanics and what builds to put where and just how long and grindy getting them is, switch to slot 2 and start again, otherwise you unlock too much during research and quests dry up.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be significant, as mastering build mechanics requires considerable time and effort. Many suggest that to avoid exhausting quests, it's beneficial to switch to a new slot and start fresh after unlocking too much during research.
“Once you get your head around the build mechanics and what builds to put where, you realize just how long and grindy it is to get them. If you switch to slot 2 and start again, you risk unlocking too much during research, which can lead to quests drying up.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users feel that the graphics of the game appear outdated, resembling those from two decades ago, and express concerns that the DLC is overpriced given this visual quality.
“I don't know anything about the DLC, as it all looks way overpriced for two-decade-old graphics.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The visual design is disappointing, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is praised for its immersive and appealing space-themed environment, contributing to an engaging overall experience.
“The game creates a captivating space atmosphere that immerses you in its vastness.”
“The atmospheric design is stunning, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
“The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack perfectly complements the game's eerie atmosphere.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is perceived as predatory, with users expressing concerns about aggressive microtransactions that may exploit players.
“It looks like it is a setup for predatory microtransactions.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative and heavily favors those willing to spend extra money.”
“I can't enjoy the game without being constantly bombarded by ads and in-game purchases.”
