Space Pirates and Zombies

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,625 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • grinding
Space Pirates and Zombies Game Cover
The germ of a cool game, not quite ready for prime time, but with plenty of potential if the right choices are made.
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Space Pirates and Zombies is a top-down, open-world action game set in space. Assemble your own fleet of ships and engage in strategic combat against space pirates, zombie-infested ships, and other threats. Explore the galaxy, mine asteroids, complete missions, and upgrade your ships to build a powerful armada. The game features a dynamic campaign, procedurally generated galaxies, and a rich, emergent gameplay experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,625 reviews
story250 positive mentions
grinding284 negative mentions
  • SPAZ offers a unique blend of space combat and resource management, providing a fun and engaging experience.
  • The ship customization and upgrade system is extensive, allowing players to tailor their fleet to their preferred playstyle.
  • The game features a humorous narrative and quirky characters, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
  • The game can become grindy, especially in the later stages, requiring players to farm resources to progress.
  • Some players find the AI behavior frustrating, as friendly ships may not always follow commands effectively.
  • The difficulty spikes can be harsh, particularly when facing stronger enemies or during certain missions.
  • story876 mentions

    The game's story is generally viewed as simplistic and sometimes shallow, with many players noting that it serves primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While some appreciate the humor and quirky elements, others find the plot predictable and repetitive, often overshadowed by the grind of completing missions. Overall, the story provides a framework for exploration and combat, but it lacks depth and complexity, leaving players divided on its effectiveness.

    • “A beautiful 2D space game with detailed ship system customization, a well-written story, and incredible art design.”
    • “The story is great, the gameplay is also great, and overall I think this game is the best of its kind out there.”
    • “The story was fun and compelling, the challenge was inviting and encouraged you to explore around for resources before progressing, but without it feeling too grindy.”
    • “In terms of story or characters... well... it's not exactly stellar.”
    • “A story I couldn't possibly care less about.”
    • “The story mode was pretty uninspired, so don't look for a plot that will suck you in.”
  • gameplay474 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics, customization options, and a blend of arcade action with strategic elements, making it both addictive and enjoyable. However, many players note that it can become repetitive and grindy, particularly in the later stages, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game offers a solid foundation with a variety of gameplay styles and a unique charm that keeps players coming back for more.

    • “Amazing gameplay, solid mechanics, brilliantly executed, awesome fun for many hours.”
    • “The gameplay is superb, and though it may take a bit of time, if you're into upgrading big ships and making the most out of space combat, this game is for you!”
    • “Spaz is an amazing space sandbox game that unites great freedom with deep gameplay mechanics and vast content amounts, all for a budget price too.”
    • “They're basically normal ships that you've already been fighting, except they infect your ships creating an incredibly frustrating gameplay loop of ejecting crew and self-destructing your own ships.”
    • “The story is rather poor, the shipbuilding lacks vital information, the gameplay is repetitive, and your 'fleet' does little more than drain your resources by constantly dying.”
    • “Not worth it, especially since the gameplay does not change at all throughout the whole game.”
  • grinding286 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game features a significant amount of grinding, often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages. While some players find enjoyment in the grind and appreciate the gameplay and story, many express frustration with the excessive resource gathering and leveling required to progress, especially on higher difficulty settings. Overall, the grinding aspect is a major point of contention, with opinions varying on whether it enhances or detracts from the overall experience.

    • “It is also very tedious to turn a faction to like you in order to buy the upgrade you sorely need.”
    • “In the end this means grinding, grinding, grinding...and that's not what I was looking for in a space exploration and combat game.”
    • “The game's only real definite flaws are its slightly grindy aspects (the transition from flying around the outer systems to going into the inner ones requires a lot of leveling up) and the uneven difficulty.”
  • graphics220 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the charming 2D art style and colorful backdrops that enhance the gameplay experience. While some critiques mention low resolution and occasional glitches, the visuals are often described as functional and appealing, especially for an indie title. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, despite not being cutting-edge by modern standards.

    • “The graphics are very pleasing, especially for a cartoon look.”
    • “The visuals are great, simple sprites unleashing very pretty particles of destruction all in front of really beautiful galactical backdrops.”
    • “First of all, the graphical style of Spaz is commendable as it manages to create spectacular battles, landscapes, and space scenes while using 'just' a 2D engine instead of modern 3D.”
    • “I found the graphics jarring and the gameplay boring with a weak story.”
    • “- graphics are low rez, bland, and ugly”
    • “The graphics (especially the character model) looks very rough, but don't let that hinder the gameplay.”
  • humor136 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its engaging and quirky nature, featuring hilarious dialogues, unexpected twists, and a mix of lighthearted and dark humor. Players appreciate the comedic elements woven into the storyline and character interactions, which contribute to the game's replayability and overall enjoyment. While some find certain aspects of the humor to be hit-or-miss, the general consensus is that it adds a fun and entertaining layer to the gameplay experience.

    • “Absolutely fantastic, hilarious story and dialogue, good replayability.”
    • “The story is funny and well said, the game is very well balanced and offered some great twists along the 54 hours I played it.”
    • “A funny, and engaging top-down shooter where you control a small fleet of ships, develop new weapons and ships to triumph over the evil space-zombies!”
  • replayability110 mentions

    Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its diverse weapons, faction designs, and playstyles, alongside a procedurally generated universe that offers fresh experiences with each playthrough. Many players appreciate the engaging story and modding options that further enhance replay value, although some note that certain aspects may feel repetitive over time. While most reviews highlight the game's extensive replay potential, a few mention limitations in scope compared to its sequel, suggesting a mixed but generally positive reception regarding replayability.

    • “Highest replay value of any game I've ever played; I keep coming back to it.”
    • “Great replay value with random galaxy creation, randomized quests, and many different ways to build your ships!”
    • “The universe is also procedurally generated, so there's even some variety to the main storyline missions, resulting in excellent replayability.”
    • “Somewhat limited in scope and replayability; what it lacks in quality here and there, it tends to make up in quantity.”
    • “Don't find this game quite as replayable as its sequel, but it does include a 'randomized skills' option and difficulty settings that can help on that front... but every world ends up extremely similar.”
    • “Only downside is not much replay value, and it turns into a bit of a grind if you're interested in what happens next.”
  • music54 mentions

    The music in the game is generally described as pleasant and fitting, with a focus on ambient soundscapes that enhance the atmosphere without overshadowing gameplay. However, many reviewers noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, lacking variety and depth. Overall, while the music is not considered outstanding, it effectively complements the game's visuals and mechanics, contributing to an enjoyable experience.

    • “One of the spookiest soundtracks ever.”
    • “The ambient soundtracks are nice, sometimes chilling and gives a great feeling to the game.”
    • “The music is lively but also makes you feel like you're in space (if that makes sense).”
    • “The soundtrack is nonexistent, just a single note that hovers across the background.”
    • “The musical background lacks variety.”
    • “Sound: the music of the game mostly boils down to ambient noise, but there are a few tracks here or there that are enjoyable.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant and engaging qualities, enhanced by atmospheric voice lines and catchy radio banter that add depth to the experience. Players appreciate the gritty yet humorous tone, along with charming graphics and compelling music themes that create an immersive environment. However, some critiques mention that the atmosphere can falter in later stages due to visual inconsistencies and gameplay imbalances.

    • “Atmospheric voice lines, both out of combat and during battle, breathe extra life into the already vibrant universe.”
    • “Definitely the strongest point for me was the atmospheric nature of this game which pushed me to complete it twice.”
    • “The early gameplay and atmosphere engage the player well, but by the time you have giant bloated ships, they don't look good and the game throws imbalanced scenarios at the player to compensate for basic 2D mechanics.”
    • “The atmosphere is gritty but with enough jokes to put a smile on your face.”
    • “Still, the atmosphere is very special; the radio banter is catchy, and the graphics are charming.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with frequent crashes reported by some players, leading to more time spent troubleshooting than playing. While glitches are generally infrequent and not game-breaking, the overall polish is lacking, resulting in occasional bugs that detract from the experience. Despite these issues, some users appreciate the graphics and find the game enjoyable.

    • “No glitches (that I encountered at least).”
    • “Good graphics, not buggy.”
    • “I want to play it, but it crashes so often I spent more time troubleshooting than playing.”
    • “While highly infrequent and never game-breaking, the game is also not well-polished enough, and glitches and bugs do pop in at times.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting no issues even during complex battles filled with detailed effects and debris. It runs smoothly at 1440p and 85hz, showcasing impressive performance despite being developed with Torque. However, some players feel that the controls could benefit from a significant overhaul to enhance gameplay.

    • “The complexity, detail, and quantity of effects and elements on screen during your average battle is impressive, yet it runs smoothly with debris flying all over the place among explosions and wrecks.”
    • “Performance: runs without issues in 1440p, 85hz.”
    • “Especially as I got even deeper into the tech research/acquisition and ship customization/optimization.”
    • “The controls need a major revamp; it would do much better as a twin stick shooter, but it's still pretty awesome... surprised that they made it with Torque, even more surprised at the performance (knowing it was made with Torque).”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game appears to be tied to the collection of characters, which enhances gameplay by adding to the player's goon pool. The game's title effectively serves as a strong marketing tool, appealing to fans of space, pirates, and zombies.

  • emotional2 mentions

    While the reviews highlight "Spaz" as a standout in its genre for its comprehensive features, they do not specifically address the emotional impact of the game. Overall, the focus remains on its gameplay mechanics rather than its emotional resonance.

  • character development2 mentions

    The game effectively incorporates RPG elements, particularly in character development, enhancing the overall experience while maintaining its focus as an engaging shoot 'em up space game.

    • “The game incorporates many RPG aspects, such as character development, and successfully delivers an engaging experience while also providing intense shoot 'em up action.”
    • “The character development in the game is impressive, allowing players to truly connect with their avatars and experience growth throughout the journey.”
    • “The depth of character development adds a rich layer to the gameplay, making each decision feel impactful and enhancing the overall narrative.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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Play time

35hMedian play time
57hAverage play time
13-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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