Space Trader: Merchant Marine

52%
Game Brain Score Based on 456 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Space Trader: Merchant Marine Game Cover
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Space Trader: Merchant Marine is a single-player space trading game set in a futuristic society ruled by a bureaucratic authority. As a Space Trader, you'll buy and sell commodities, complete bounty missions, and engage in combat to earn your way to the rank of Master Trader. The game features a challenging 5-level campaign with varied objectives and the freedom to approach challenges in your own way.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

52%
Audience ScoreBased on 456 reviews
replayability4 positive mentions
story15 negative mentions
  • Surprisingly fun and entertaining, especially for fans of retro-style games.
  • Offers a unique blend of trading simulation and FPS combat, providing a casual gaming experience.
  • Great for nostalgia, especially for those who enjoyed early 2000s gaming aesthetics.
  • Graphics and presentation feel dated and lack polish, reminiscent of early 2000s titles.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive quickly, with limited depth in both trading and combat mechanics.
  • Technical issues such as crashes and bugs detract from the overall experience.
  • story130 mentions

    The game's story is primarily mission-based, focusing on trading and combat tasks, but it suffers from a lack of depth and variety, leading to a repetitive experience. While there are some interesting concepts and side missions, the overall narrative is considered weak and forgettable, with many players finding the quest system frustrating and poorly executed. The game features a few engaging elements, such as bounty missions and hidden surprises, but these are often overshadowed by its simplistic and linear storytelling.

    • “The creators have put a lot of effort into the dialogs and storyline, and thanks to the creative trading and exploring system in this game, the player really gets a feeling of making an impact on the bigger happenings of the solar system.”
    • “Completed with many easter eggs, novel references, and other secrets that can only be discovered by true fans of the saga, this truly is a worthy game with a great storyline.”
    • “The story has me on the edge of my seat every time I play.”
    • “While this adds some structure to the gameplay, the missions may not offer enough variety or complexity to keep players fully engaged.”
    • “The story basically isn't there.”
    • “Space trader: merchant marine squanders a rubbish cast and some strange storyline ingredients, leaving audiences with one disappointingly dull fantasy adventure.”
  • graphics83 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many reviewers describing them as outdated, reminiscent of titles from the late '90s or early 2000s, and even comparing them unfavorably to games from the Nintendo 64 era. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and immersive gameplay, the consensus is that the visuals are subpar, lacking the polish expected from a game released in 2008. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the overall experience despite some interesting gameplay mechanics.

    • “The graphics are cutting edge for its time, the market mechanics are easy to understand and make sense, and the FPS element of the game is comparable to several others of its time.”
    • “Not only does this game have a better story than The Last of Us, it also has better graphics than any next-gen games out on the market.”
    • “Graphics are very detailed and immersive, with DX11 really shining here.”
    • “Graphics feel like an early PS2 game, to be honest, but the idea and mechanics of the game are interesting if only it was modernized and less buggy.”
    • “The graphics come straight from the '90s, but if you expected an open-ended game with a huge space map and deep mechanics - well, they all stayed in the '90s.”
    • “The graphics are just awful, reminiscent of the Nintendo 64.”
  • gameplay70 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the shallow trading mechanics and repetitive combat, which detracts from overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the retro charm and straightforward mechanics, others find the graphics outdated and the gameplay lacking depth and variety, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game struggles with clunky controls and a simplistic economic system, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging experience.

    • “The gameplay in Space Trader is pretty straightforward: you start on a planet and you have to buy commodities that will bring a profit and travel to another planet to sell them at a higher price, keeping a constant watch on the time limit that each mission has, calculating the profit per shipment and the travel time in order to choose the best option.”
    • “The shooting mechanic feels old, but that's probably why it feels so addictive at the same time, as you will most likely instantly connect the dots between those shooting sequences and games like Doom. It is a good distraction from the boring buy and sell mechanic that the game generally delivers.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, but after the second chapter, you've pretty much done everything there is to do.”
    • “The trading mechanics lack depth, and the combat may feel repetitive and disconnected from the trading aspect.”
    • “The gameplay itself is so dull and boring that I lost my interest after a short time.”
    • “The trading element lacks any subtlety or deeper strategy than 'buy low, sell high.' The FPS portion is incredibly repetitive with laughable graphics and mechanics.”
  • music17 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric quality and suitability for the space theme, while others criticize it for being repetitive, mediocre, or even obnoxious. Although a few users enjoyed the soundtrack, many noted its limited variety and lack of memorability, leading to a generally lukewarm reception overall.

    • “The sound design is satisfactory, featuring space-themed music and appropriate sound effects.”
    • “Fps play is fun, functional, and rewarding; the drug wars-style is my favorite kind of fast-paced, strategic trading; and to top it off, it all takes place in space with a kickass atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “Music is solid, narrative is cheeky yet not over-complex and the overall feel is one of a new-age space trader sim.”
    • “The music is obnoxious and not memorable in any way (read: elevator music), it features abysmal graphics, the little mechanics the game has are horribly unrefined, the economic system is non-functioning, trading is next to useless unless you get some very rare, expensive commodities from missions, and the entire game feels like a chore.”
    • “The graphics are shitty, the music sucks, and the gameplay is just run around, buy stuff, sell stuff, shoot stuff when you're out of money, repeat.”
    • “The music throughout the game is a high-speed techno beat that, while I am sure some of you will love it, made me play with the sound off after a few sessions.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, with many players finding it difficult to engage with after the main campaign. However, some aspects, like bounty missions and a challenge mode, offer additional content that can extend playtime for those interested in achievements, potentially providing up to 18 hours of gameplay. Overall, while it may not satisfy those seeking endless replayability, it has moments that can keep dedicated players entertained.

    • “But the most jaw-dropping of all the content was when I realized that it was a first-person trader shooter with amazing, totally replayable bounty missions in which you capture your targets in action-filled battles.”
    • “After completing the main campaign, you can also try the challenge mode that offers three extra missions that are pretty easy to complete, and the only real challenge comes when you try to get the achievements. If you're into that, the game can get interesting and has some decent replay value as you can spend up to 18 hours struggling to complete everything.”
    • “So in conclusion, if you want a game with endless replayability, insane customization, RPG-style progression, an advanced AI that will have you cursing your screen, and the best damn campaign probably ever, then give this game a try.”
    • “The game offers a limited level of replayability.”
    • “A fun buy at a low price, but don't expect a lot of replayability and longevity.”
    • “It's bad on so many levels; probably all of them. Ten years ago, this could have been more playable and less ridiculous, but today it's not easy to force yourself to play it for any reason.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant issue, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, mini-freezes, and overall poor performance that detracts from the gameplay experience. While the mechanics and graphics show potential, the persistent bugs and low-quality execution render it largely unplayable for many. Overall, the game's stability problems overshadow its fun elements, leading to a frustrating experience.

    • “I was actually having fun with this game, but when I quit and tried to start it up again, it just freezes and crashes.”
    • “The game sounds and looks awesome, but when I try to play it, it constantly mini-freezes like a laggy streaming movie.”
    • “Fun, but buggy and doesn't perform well enough to be enjoyed past its glaring flaws.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and boring, with many feeling that it quickly becomes a chore rather than an engaging experience. The lack of a buy/sell commission system contributes to a repetitive and unrealistic trading mechanic, further diminishing enjoyment. Overall, the grinding elements are seen as a significant drawback, leading to a bland and forgettable gameplay experience.

    • “It's fairly tedious, and there is no buy/sell commission/overhead so you just sell off your entire inventory whether it is a profit or loss, then buy up whatever is the best deal on the current planet even if it is one of the things you just sold them, fairly unrealistic compared to any other trading games I've played as there is no buy-ask spread whatsoever.”
    • “It's very tedious and gets boring quickly.”
    • “I found this tedious within less than 10 minutes of starting up the game.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players finding the FPS segments and quirky internet references particularly amusing. Despite its flaws, the comedic elements, including a small cast of voice actors delivering funny lines, contribute to an entertaining experience that many feel justifies its low price. Overall, the game is seen as a lighthearted way to pass the time, filled with humor that resonates with players.

    • “This game is hilarious, and while incredibly tiny, does what it does fairly well.”
    • “It's a nice way to kill time if you like to travel from one planet to another meeting demand with supply and occasionally finding a funny internet reference or fighting some mean guys with guns.”
    • “They even have a plot and side missions voiced by a hilariously small cast of actors obviously altering their voice to be different people.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players find the game to be an incredibly emotional experience, often describing it as visceral and heartwarming. Many report being moved to tears by its poignant storytelling, highlighting its ability to evoke deep feelings and genuine emotional responses.

    • “Wow, never have I played a game so visceral, benevolent, and heartwarming.”
    • “Those feelings are real; this game will make you cry your eyes out... I know I did... I filled a whole soup pot with tears from the heartwarming story.”
    • “I cried a little.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its effective audio elements, which complement the themes of space exploration and combat. Players appreciate the engaging FPS gameplay and the fast-paced, strategic trading reminiscent of drug wars, all set against a captivating soundtrack that enriches the overall experience.

    • “FPS play is fun, functional, and rewarding; the drug wars-style is my favorite kind of fast-paced, strategic trading; and to top it off, it all takes place in space with a kickass atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “While not groundbreaking, the audio elements contribute to the overall atmosphere of space exploration and combat.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and is complemented by impressive voice acting, contributing to an immersive experience. However, some users feel that it falls short compared to classics like Privateer, citing a lack of engaging story and freedom in gameplay.

    • “With stunning voice acting, fascinating character development, in-depth game mechanics, and a turn-based economy that mirrors the complexity of America's, this game is truly stunning.”
    • “Not a bad attempt to recapture the awesomeness that was Privateer, but the game lacks character development, engaging story, and the ability to just do what you want, when you want like Privateer did.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally acceptable, though some players report experiencing bugs and performance issues that can affect gameplay.

    • “The technical aspects of the game are passable, but some players may encounter bugs or performance issues.”
    • “The game suffers from significant optimization problems, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering.”
    • “Despite its potential, the game feels unpolished due to poor optimization, making it frustrating to play.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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