Space Pirates and Zombies

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,557 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

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,557 reviews
story168 positive mentions
grinding213 negative mentions
  • Engaging space battles with a variety of ship customization options.
  • Humorous writing and quirky characters add charm to the gameplay.
  • Large, procedurally generated galaxy provides a sense of exploration and replayability.
  • Gameplay can become grindy and repetitive, especially in the late game.
  • AI companions can be frustratingly unhelpful during combat.
  • Difficulty spikes can lead to frustrating moments, particularly when facing zombies or bounty hunters.
  • story646 mentions

    The game's story is generally described as simple and somewhat shallow, often overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and grinding. While some players appreciate the humor and lightheartedness of the narrative, others find it lacking depth and coherence, with many missions feeling recycled. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the action and customization elements, providing just enough motivation to engage players in the expansive universe.

    • “The story is great, the gameplay is also great, and overall I think this game is the best of its kind out there.”
    • “The progression is great, the story is great, the writing is hilarious but also engaging when it needs to be serious, and it's more immersive than any other RTS I've ever played.”
    • “The story is captivating, though to advance you have to get to higher levels so you will be able to do the missions, since if you didn't grind you get overpowered by the enemy fast, and the grinding takes too long.”
    • “The story is beyond idiotic, nothing makes sense at all.”
    • “The storyline had no meat and no hook.”
    • “The story is entirely forgettable, as is the backstory.”
  • gameplay330 mentions

    The gameplay of "Space Pirates and Zombies" (SPAZ) is characterized by its engaging mechanics, allowing for extensive ship customization and a mix of arcade-style action with strategic elements. While many players appreciate the addictive nature and depth of the gameplay, some criticize it for being repetitive and grind-heavy, particularly in the later stages. Overall, the game offers a solid experience with a blend of humor and enjoyable combat, though it may not suit those seeking a more varied gameplay experience.

    • “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!”
    • “The gameplay is fast, fun, and varied, with lots of options for how you approach building your ships.”
    • “The gameplay can be grindy, so be aware if you hate that type of gameplay.”
    • “The basic gameplay grew dull and repetitive far too quickly.”
    • “Once you've unlocked enough tech and ships, the repetitiveness of the gameplay really sinks in and once you finish the game, the lack of depth really hits you.”
  • grinding214 mentions

    The game is frequently described as grindy, with many players noting that it requires significant time spent on repetitive tasks to progress, particularly in the later stages. While some enjoy the grinding aspect and find it rewarding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making the gameplay tedious and time-consuming. Overall, the grinding is a polarizing feature, appealing to completionists but potentially frustrating for those seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
    • “Starts okay, but very quickly the amount of repetitive grinding of recycled side missions required to progress starts to feel disrespectful of your time.”
    • “Soon you realize most of it is a lot of pointless and very empty stat-grinding, and every star system in the huge galaxy map feels exactly like the one before it.”
    • “The game does get pretty grindy around midway through the story, and keeps getting even more grindy, but if you're smart enough with effectiveness of weapons against certain ships, you'll have a great time.”
  • graphics163 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many praising the charming 2D art style and colorful visuals that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players noted technical issues like crashes and glitches, others appreciated the game's aesthetic appeal and the effective use of effects and physics, particularly during battles. Overall, the graphics are considered solid for an indie title, balancing retro charm with modern capabilities, though opinions vary on their quality and impact on gameplay.

    • “The visuals are amazing, the gameplay is good, the story is amazing.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful for what this game draws.”
    • “The graphics, sound, and story are decent enough, but the gameplay is top notch.”
    • “I found the graphics jarring and the gameplay boring with a weak story.”
    • “- graphics are low res, bland, and ugly.”
    • “The graphics (especially the character model) looks very rough, but don't let that hinder the gameplay.”
  • humor94 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its engaging and often hilarious writing, with many players appreciating the clever dialogue and dark comedic elements that enhance the overall experience. While some find the humor to be quirky and lighthearted, others note that it can also be absurd and misanthropic, contributing to a unique charm that keeps players entertained despite occasional gameplay repetition. Overall, the game's blend of humor, character, and immersive storytelling is a standout feature that many reviewers wish more games would emulate.

    • “Absolutely fantastic, hilarious story and dialogue, good replayability.”
    • “The progression is great, the story is great, the writing is hilarious but also engaging when it needs to be serious, and it's more immersive than any other RTS I've ever played.”
    • “A surprisingly fun (and funny!) game with an equally surprising amount of story and depth to it.”
  • replayability69 mentions

    Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its diverse weapons, faction designs, and playstyles, alongside a procedurally generated universe that offers varied experiences. Many players appreciate the extensive modding community and customization options, which further enhance replay value. However, some reviews note limitations in scope and occasional repetitiveness, suggesting that while replayability is generally strong, it may not be as robust as in some sequels.

    • “Loads of weapons, faction designs, and playstyles give the game a massive amount of replay value.”
    • “The universe is also procedurally generated, so there's even some variety to the main storyline missions, resulting in excellent replayability.”
    • “Great replay value with random galaxy-creation, randomized quests, and many different ways to build your ships!”
    • “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.”
  • music38 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its ambient and atmospheric qualities that enhance the gameplay experience, while others find it repetitive and lacking in variety. Although the soundtrack is described as enjoyable and fitting for the game's themes, it often fails to leave a lasting impression, leading some to suggest alternative music while playing. Overall, the sound design is generally considered better than the music itself, contributing to the game's immersive environment.

    • “Everything in this game is of high quality - visual effects, music, sound effects, storyline, and game mechanics!”
    • “The ambient soundtracks are nice, sometimes chilling, and give a great feeling to the game.”
    • “The music is lively but also makes you feel like you're in space.”
    • “The soundtrack is nonexistent, just a single note that hovers across the background.”
    • “The musical background lacks variety.”
    • “The soundtrack is very limited, so I'd recommend you'd put on some FTL soundtracks while playing this or something.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant and engaging qualities, enhanced by atmospheric voice lines, catchy radio banter, and colorful graphics. Players appreciate the gritty yet humorous tone, immersive music, and the sense of being in a vast universe, although some note that the experience can diminish with later gameplay due to imbalanced scenarios. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the enjoyment of the game.

    • “Atmospheric voice lines, both out of combat and during battle, breathe extra life into the already vibrant universe.”
    • “The atmosphere is gritty but with enough jokes to put a smile on your face.”
    • “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.”
    • “Much pleasure to be had shooting escape pods and watching the little ones writhe in agony as their atmosphere vents, exposing them to the vacuum.”
  • stability9 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report frequent crashes and graphical glitches that disrupt gameplay, others find it runs well, even on lower-end hardware, with only minor, non-game-breaking issues. Despite these inconsistencies, many appreciate the game's fun concept and graphics when functioning properly.

    • “It's competent and not buggy or glitchy.”
    • “It looks and runs great even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “No glitches that I encountered at least.”
    • “Despite the constant crashes and graphical glitches requiring a game re-launch, it's a lot of fun. The concept is great, the writing and story are palatable, and the graphics (when loaded properly) are great in my opinion.”
    • “I want to play it, but it crashes so often that 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.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with users noting that it runs smoothly even during complex battles filled with effects and debris. Performance is solid at 1440p and 85hz, and despite some control issues, the game is considered a standout title, especially given its development with Torque.

    • “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.”
    • “Excellent controls and performance, definitely a Steam classic.”
    • “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).”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of Spaz is highlighted by its heartwarming storytelling and the freedom it offers players to explore various galaxy sectors, enhancing the personal connection to the game. Reviewers praise it as a standout title in its genre, showcasing the developers' passion and ability to evoke feelings through engaging gameplay and narrative depth.

    • “Overall, this game is a fantastic release from a studio run by just two gentlemen with a knack for creating heartwarming adventure games.”
    • “Spaz is simply the best game of its genre, touching upon all the niches and features that you might think to add to a top-down space exploration shmup.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy involves collecting items that enhance gameplay, akin to a "goon pool," while the game's appealing theme of space, pirates, and zombies serves as a strong marketing draw.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, making it frustrating for free-to-play users.”
    • “The constant barrage of ads and in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The game effectively incorporates RPG elements, particularly in character development, while also delivering an engaging shoot 'em up experience.

    • “The game offers a rich RPG experience, particularly in character development, allowing players to truly immerse themselves in their characters' growth.”
    • “Character development is a standout feature, providing depth and complexity that enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
    • “The game excels in character development, giving players the opportunity to shape their characters in meaningful ways.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I was disappointed by the limited choices in character development; it felt like my decisions didn't really matter.”
    • “The game offers a variety of RPG elements, but the character development is underwhelming and fails to engage the player.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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Play time

40hMedian play time
54hAverage play time
15-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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