Space Pirates And Zombies 2

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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

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,008 reviews

gameplay171 positive mentions

grinding128 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 numbers game rather than skill-based encounters.
The AI behavior is often frustrating, with allied captains making poor decisions that can lead to unnecessary losses.
The game can become grindy, especially in the late game when dealing with the zombie faction, which can overwhelm players if not managed properly.

gameplay
619 mentions
28 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Spaz 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the depth of ship customization and the engaging faction dynamics, while others criticize the combat mechanics and overall balance. Some find the transition to 3D and the new gameplay systems refreshing, likening it to a blend of "Mount & Blade" and traditional space combat, but many feel it lacks the charm and complexity of its predecessor, "Spaz 1." Overall, while the game offers a fun and addictive experience, it suffers from repetitive mechanics and a steep learning curve that can frustrate players.
- “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 very different where rather than you upgrading your fleet and so on, you instead only upgrade your mothership.”
- “The gameplay is just plain dull.”
story
517 mentions
24 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story in the game is a continuation of the first installment, featuring familiar characters and humor, but many players find it lacking in depth and engagement compared to its predecessor. While some appreciate the comedic elements and the lore, the overall narrative is often described as short, simplistic, and repetitive, with a significant number of players expressing a desire for more side quests and varied missions. The campaign serves primarily as a tutorial for the more expansive sandbox mode, which many feel offers a richer gameplay experience.
- “The story has a cool premise - space, pirates, and zombies!”
- “The story and especially the lore and the texts are the most fun.”
- “The story is entertaining, sort of.”
- “The story is very short.”
- “The campaign mode of this game is terrible; if you care for a story, stay away from this game.”
- “The story is rather predictable and ultimately forgettable and extremely short - I'd guess most people will beat it in about 10 hours and that's only because you have to grind to 30.”
graphics
243 mentions
44 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the significant improvements and vibrant aesthetics compared to its predecessor, SPaz 1. While some players appreciate the colorful and detailed 3D visuals, others feel that the transition from 2D to 3D has resulted in a loss of charm and clarity, leading to a more generic appearance. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good, with a notable emphasis on style and effects, though opinions vary on their impact on gameplay.
- “The graphics are nice, watching your miniguns spraying tracer fire at incoming missile volleys is pretty awesome and most weapons will be easily recognizable from their fire.”
- “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 graphics have eye-popping colors and a superbly crisp presentation.”
- “The game feels like they tried to step it up with 3D graphics and a horribly executed star map.”
- “The camera is awful in 'combat view' and the 3D graphics are very poorly executed, so the top-down view looks ugly as well.”
- “The aesthetics have also remained the same; blurry textures composed of screamingly high contrast colors that bore into your retinas.”
humor
165 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its quirky, sarcastic dialogue and entertaining character interactions that provide levity throughout the gameplay. However, some find the humor to be hit-or-miss, with criticisms of forced jokes and a lack of substance in certain comedic elements. Overall, while the humor is a highlight for many, it may not resonate with all players, particularly those who prefer a different comedic style.
- “Brilliant funny dialogue and the game will keep you entertained for hours.”
- “The dialogue is entertaining, honest, and just straight up hilarious at some points.”
- “The writing and characters are very well done, funny, and even enlightening at times.”
grinding
130 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding is a prominent and often tedious aspect of the game, with many players finding the experience slow and repetitive, particularly in the early stages. While some enjoy the grind as a means of progression, others criticize it for lacking meaningful rewards and strategy, leading to a sense of frustration. Overall, the game is described as significantly grindy, with mixed feelings about its impact on enjoyment and gameplay depth.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “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 game feels incredibly grindy and you can spend your first few hours just clicking around, avoiding combat, and stealing resources from planets.”
replayability
88 mentions
39 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is generally regarded as high, particularly due to its sandbox mode and procedural generation, which allow for varied gameplay experiences and customization options. While some players feel that the main campaign is short and lacks depth in replay options, many appreciate the dynamic elements and different playstyles that enhance replay value. Frequent updates and the ability to tweak game settings further contribute to its potential for extended play.
- “Replayability for this is higher than the first game thanks to all of the new dynamic elements interacting with one another.”
- “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.”
- “It has incredible replayability, and the story isn't the end of the game; once the story is over, you can set about aligning the entire galaxy into one faction or try to get all the factions to make peace.”
- “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.”
- “The writing is amazing and the campaign was a breeze; however, in my opinion, the game lacks replayability.”
music
35 mentions
34 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the dynamic soundtrack and its ability to enhance the gaming experience, while others find it generic and unremarkable. Many players appreciate the charm of the voice acting and the overall sound design, but some suggest that the music can become repetitive or uninspired. Overall, while the soundtrack has its standout moments, 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
29 mentions
34 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with solid performance reported even on lower-end systems, and smooth graphics during gameplay. However, some players feel that certain aspects, such as ship design and environmental interactions, lack depth and could benefit from further optimization. While the modularity of ship building is praised, there are concerns about the balance of combat and the effectiveness of various strategies, suggesting that optimization could enhance the overall experience.
- “The 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 adds 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 space battles suggest that you can use the environment to your advantage but unfortunately the environment has little effect on enemies (using a gravity beam to throw an EMP barrel on the enemy shields might take the shields down 5-10%). Because of this, the environment is just clutter on the screen that hurts performance - a graphic setting that cannot be shut off.”
stability
15 mentions
47 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
53 % negative mentions
Overall, players report that the game is largely stable and runs well, with many enjoying a bug-free experience during their playthroughs. While some users noted minor glitches and acknowledged that it is still in early access, the developers have been responsive in addressing issues. The game's performance on high graphics settings has been praised, contributing to an enjoyable and immersive experience.
- “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... or simply put, battery recharge: one of the best games I've played in nearly 50 years in terms of fun, atmosphere & story, bug-free, so that nothing rips you out of your short vacation time plus, you can shoot a lot and kill space zombies ;)”
- “Still, it's a unique and good game in its own right, and it works perfectly fine - virtually bug-free.”
- “In general, the early access product was incredibly stable, bug-free, with a ton of fun and fantastic visuals.”
- “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
11 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has elicited strong reactions from players, with some expressing deep disappointment and heartbreak, particularly in comparison to its predecessor. While the gameplay mechanics may be engaging, the emotional weight of despair and anguish experienced by players has led to a complex appreciation for the game's impact on their overall enjoyment of life. The inclusion of emotionally charged voice acting and narrative elements, despite their perceived disconnect from the main gameplay, has contributed to a profound sense of emotional engagement.
- “The game was disappointing in general, but when compared to its predecessor, it is downright heartbreaking.”
- “If I can take anything from this experience you have given me, developer, 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.”
monetization
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with users appreciating the humorous and engaging advertisements integrated into gameplay rather than feeling like a cash grab. While some players wish for more media and advertising support, they recognize that the game offers a fun experience that enhances replay value without resorting to exploitative practices. Overall, the monetization strategy is seen as a creative addition rather than a detriment.
- “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
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the game's atmosphere as a key element that enhances the overall experience, providing an immersive escape from reality. The combination of engaging gameplay, a captivating story, and a bug-free environment contributes to a sense of fun and relaxation, reminiscent of a vacation. While some comparisons to previous titles exist, the unique atmosphere effectively conveys the tension of a galaxy under threat from a zombie plague.
- “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, it's a 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.”
- “The atmosphere fails to convey the sense of urgency and dread expected in a galaxy besieged by a deadly advanced zombie plague.”
- “The atmosphere is lacking and does not immerse players in the intended experience.”
- “The overall atmosphere feels disconnected from the game's premise.”
character development
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably inconsistent; while some players appreciate the return of beloved characters and their engaging interactions, others criticize the lack of meaningful choices and depth in character arcs. Overall, the experience ranges from minimal development to moments of genuine connection, depending on the player's perspective.
- “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.”
- “The nuanced character development and interactions with companions beyond just fighting and trading really enhance the overall experience.”
- “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.”