Space Pirates And Zombies 2

About

Space Pirates And Zombies 2 is a real-time space combat strategy game. The game features a procedurally generated galaxy with various factions, ships, and weapons to discover. Players must build and manage their own space fleet, fight off enemies, and complete missions to progress through the game. The game also includes a ship customization system, where players can design and build their own unique vessels.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,016 reviews

gameplay342 positive mentions

grinding256 negative mentions

The game offers a unique modular ship-building system that allows for extensive customization and creativity.
The humor and voice acting are entertaining, adding a fun and quirky atmosphere to the gameplay.
The strategic layer of the game, with its dynamic factions and resource management, provides a sense of depth and engagement.

The combat can feel repetitive and lacks depth, often reducing battles to a simple numbers game.
The AI behavior is often frustrating, leading to poor decision-making in battles and resource management.
The game can become grindy, especially in the late game when dealing with the zombie faction, which can overwhelm players.

gameplay
1,238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The gameplay of "Spaz 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from its predecessor, "Spaz 1." While some appreciate the new mechanics, such as modular ship building and a more complex faction system, others criticize the combat for being repetitive and lacking depth, as well as the ship building system for being clunky and limited. Overall, the game offers a fun and engaging experience for those willing to adapt to its changes, but it may disappoint fans of the original due to its altered gameplay dynamics.
- “There is a lot of stuff in this game, none of it is complicated, but it's a fun gameplay loop.”
- “The raw gameplay loop is very compelling, and it's fun to watch your junk monstrosity become an efficient and fearsome murder machine.”
- “The gameplay is fun and fast-paced, and the story is just as intriguing (and has just as much funny dialogue) as Spaz 1.”
- “With this one, I got stuck in an unending cycle of battling other factions and there was nothing I could do about it. In order to progress, I had to gain territory, which I couldn't do because I was at war with other factions, and I couldn't declare peace because of game mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is just plain dull. A pro is that the game has a quite deep economic and faction simulation, but if all of that is in service of poor gameplay, it ultimately doesn't matter.”
- “The gameplay felt weirdly remote; the 3D isn't as charming as the old 2D graphics. I don't enjoy the way the mothership construction and improvement works (or combat with it, either), and I feel like the game doesn't really sustain all the stuff it has going on as moving parts.”
story
1,034 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
72%
4%
The story in "Spaz 2" continues from the first game, featuring familiar characters and a humorous tone, but many players find it lacking depth and brevity, often completing it in around 10-20 hours. While some appreciate the comedic elements and lore, others criticize the repetitive nature of the missions and the absence of engaging side quests, leading to a feeling that the narrative is thin and less impactful compared to its predecessor. Overall, the game offers a mix of story-driven gameplay and sandbox elements, but many hope for more substantial content and variety in future updates.
- “I hope they make a third game, because I love the world, the characters, the story, the strategy, the shipbuilding, the gameplay, the economy, the faction dynamic, and my only fault for this game is there isn't more of it.”
- “The story has a cool premise - space, pirates, and zombies!”
- “The story is a good continuation from the previous game and has the same tone.”
- “The story is largely the same as the first game, except... 'what if the BBEG was also an idiot'.”
- “The campaign mode of this game is terrible; if you care for a story, stay away from this game.”
- “The story mode leaves much to be desired, is quite short, and the difficulty ramps up to an uncomfortable and unfun level.”
graphics
486 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
2%
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the significant improvements and vibrant 3D visuals compared to its predecessor, SPaz 1. However, some players feel that the new aesthetic is less charming and more generic, with criticisms aimed at the modular ship designs and overly bright color palettes that can be visually overwhelming. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good and appealing, they do not compensate for perceived shortcomings in gameplay and design.
- “Incredible improvement in graphics, sound, and gameplay.”
- “The graphics and effects during combat are vibrant.”
- “Spaz 2 is a massive step up graphically and presentation-wise with full voice acting that is fairly funny in a Borderlands kind of way.”
- “The camera is awful in 'combat view' and the 3D graphics are very poorly executed, so the top-down view looks ugly as well.”
- “Now in this sequel we instead get ugly 3D graphics where everything is made of blocks (colorful but just looks cheap) and you only get a single customizable ship instead of building up a fleet, which makes the game very repetitive and one-dimensional.”
- “I feel the graphics are just awful and the art style is terrible; the speech (okay, it's early access and it's not implemented, but after 10+ hours of listening to the computer voice, I want to kill myself).”
humor
330 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its quirky, sarcastic dialogue and character interactions that provide levity and entertainment. While some find the humor to be forced or lacking substance, others enjoy the witty writing and comedic elements that echo the charm of its predecessor. Overall, the game successfully injects humor into its narrative and gameplay, though it may not resonate with everyone.
- “Brilliant funny dialogue and the game will keep you entertained for hours.”
- “The dialogue is well-written, lighthearted, and funny.”
- “The writing and characters are very well done, funny, and even enlightening at times.”
grinding
260 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The reviews indicate that grinding is a prominent aspect of the game, often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the early stages. While some players appreciate the grind as a means of progression and find it rewarding, many others express frustration with the slow pace and lack of engaging content, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game is seen as significantly grindy, with varying opinions on whether this detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “But the devs seem to have taken the 'no grindy game' too seriously and more or less removed all 'grindy' parts of the game that lots of us used to love (like farming comets <3).”
- “No skills, skill points, perks, or abilities... just grinding XP... slow and tedious with nothing really to offer for the experience.”
- “The leveling sucks, the ship customization sucks, the combat sucks, the overworld is grindy and uninteresting.”
- “This is nothing like the first game, it's boring, slow, and grindy.”
replayability
176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability, particularly due to its dynamic elements, customizable sandbox mode, and procedural generation, which allow for varied gameplay experiences. While some players find the campaign short and repetitive, many appreciate the extensive options for tweaking and experimenting, leading to a significant amount of replay value. However, a few reviews suggest that the lack of diverse strategies and a slow start may detract from the overall replayability for some players.
- “Overall, the story and visuals, the direct involvement and replayability (procedurally generated) makes the lack of 3D environment overlookable.”
- “Even better, the sheer number of options available for tweaking the sandbox gives you near-endless replayability once you're done with the story campaign.”
- “This game has quite a bit of replay value, and especially now that you can customize most of the rules of the universe in the sandbox, there's even more ways to challenge yourself once you feel like you have mastered the game.”
- “Seems like they focused on the replay value more than anything, but to me it just feels like a grind.”
- “Unfortunately with the start being as slow and irritating as it is, the replay value is lost on me.”
- “Although the replayability is a bit lackluster, and the game is somewhat easy even when set on higher difficulties, it is still very fun and charming!”
music
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
6%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the dynamic soundtrack and standout moments, while others find it generic and repetitive. Many players appreciate the music's ability to complement gameplay without becoming annoying, though some suggest it lacks originality and depth. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it may not appeal to those seeking a more innovative musical experience.
- “To top it all off, the music score is fantastic!”
- “Back to the good stuff: another standout item this time around is the soundtrack, which is really top-notch.”
- “However, the soundtrack gets pretty awesome sometimes with all of its swells and massive musical numbers.”
- “The music wasn't all that special, so I felt like I needed to.”
- “To add insult to injury, after uninstalling the game I was also surprised to find a dozen new 'album entries' that went uninvited into my Steam music library (which I cannot even get rid of).”
- “Even the music is terrible.”
optimization
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback. While many players appreciate the solid performance and smooth graphics, especially on lower-end systems, some express concerns about a lack of depth and challenge in ship design and combat mechanics. Additionally, there are suggestions for further optimization options and improvements to the environmental interactions during battles.
- “Modularity of the ships makes it fun to try out new shapes and builds of different weapons against different threats. The optimization seems really well done for an early access game, and the faction system is an interesting touch, keeping you invested even when you find a steam-roller build for your ship.”
- “Well polished, very well optimized, and just plain fun.”
- “It seems to me like an excellent job was done with optimization.”
- “I tried quite a few times to get into this game, but the devs listened to all the people who didn't like their first game and optimized everything I enjoyed about the first game out of this one.”
- “Problem though is, that after I've optimized my ship, enemies don't pose any real threat in terms of better ship design (not just random mashup of modules).”
- “The game is lacking some optimization or depth in several areas.”
stability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
53%
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting a bug-free experience and smooth performance, even on high graphics settings. However, some users note the presence of minor glitches and specific modes that are particularly buggy, reflecting its early access status. The developers are commended for their responsiveness in addressing issues, contributing to a mostly stable gameplay experience.
- “In general, the early access product was incredibly stable, bug free, with a ton of fun and fantastic visuals.”
- “Still, it's a unique and good game in its own right, and it works perfectly fine - virtually bug free.”
- “It is still early access and despite that, it runs great for me.”
- “It is currently with a few bugs and glitches.”
- “I did enjoy this game, but it is still very buggy.”
- “- battlewagon mode is buggy as all hell.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game has elicited strong feelings of despair and disappointment, particularly when compared to its predecessor, leading some players to experience a profound sense of anguish and defeat. Despite its shortcomings, the game has also prompted reflections on life and personal growth, showcasing the power of emotional engagement in gaming. However, certain narrative elements felt disconnected from the overall experience, leaving players questioning their relevance.
- “If I can take anything from this experience you have given me, dev, it is this: for just under 18 dollars as of writing this, you have made me feel true despair, anguish, and true defeat.”
- “Because you made me feel these things, these horrible things, I have now come to enjoy life a little more.”
- “I am sorry for all the grief I have caused you in these forms; I made a lot of posts that were filled with the grand distress you've made me feel over the course of these rocky 19 hours.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the humorous and engaging advertisements integrated into the gameplay, which enhance replay value rather than detract from it. While some users express a desire for more media exposure for the game, they note that it stands apart from typical cash grab titles, offering a more enjoyable experience once players grasp the mechanics. Overall, the monetization strategy is seen as creative and less intrusive compared to other games in the genre.
- “Although I think it could be more, it is still a far cry from the cash grab games released over the years.”
- “The quickest way to identify these 'cash grabs' is by examining when they are released.”
- “There are heaps of asteroids, zombies, missiles, lasers, plasma bursts, space junk, power-ups, and amusing advertisements littering the battlefields.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, providing a fun and engaging escape from reality, akin to a vacation experience. Reviewers appreciate the blend of enjoyable gameplay with a compelling story, although some note that it may not fully capture the intended setting of a galaxy under siege by a zombie plague. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout experience for players.
- “A good game for me is not only when I can shoot a lot or kill colorfully, but when I have a fun time that distracts me from real-life challenges with recreation—or even vacation-worthy time. Simply put, battery recharge: one of the best games I've played in nearly 50 years in terms of fun, atmosphere & story, and bug-free, so that nothing rips you out of your short vacation time. Plus, you can shoot a lot and kill space zombies.”
- “It is its own game and I wouldn't compare it too much to Spaz 1, although it shares a lot of the atmosphere that I loved about Spaz 1.”
- “This does not lend itself to the atmosphere of a galaxy besieged by a deadly advanced zombie plague.”
- “This does not lend itself to the atmosphere of a galaxy besieged by a deadly advanced zombie plague.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
Character development in the game is polarizing; some players feel it lacks depth and meaningful choices, while others appreciate the return of beloved characters and their engaging interactions, which enhance the overall experience. The absence of nuanced development and broader interactions beyond combat is noted as a drawback by some reviewers. Overall, the character dynamics and witty exchanges are highlighted as a significant strength for those who value them.
- “The character development is real, and seeing all of your favorite characters again and their witty banter just raised this game to the next level of perfection.”
- “No character development or story choices, or at least very little.”
- “Cut out army management, nuanced character development, companions, interactions beyond fighting & trading & alliances/wars, faction variety, and finally put a 4 ship limit on and lower the skill cap on battles and you have Spaz 2.”
- “No character development or story choices, or at least very little.”