SpaceBourne

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 499 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
SpaceBourne Game Cover
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SpaceBourne is a single-player Role Playing game with an intriguing story and fabulous gameplay, set in a vast universe with over 100 Solar Systems, 400 planets, and 37 space stations. Players have the freedom to mine, salvage, hunt, explore, trade, and engage in various activities with the goal of acquiring and customizing ships and weapons. Despite some bugs, the game offers an immersive experience with its impressive visuals and amazing soundtrack.

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Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 499 reviews
story59 positive mentions
stability36 negative mentions
  • The combat mechanics are fun and engaging, reminiscent of classic space shooters like Freelancer.
  • The game offers a variety of activities including mining, trading, and bounty hunting, providing a sense of freedom and exploration.
  • The developer is responsive to community feedback and actively works on updates and improvements.
  • The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
  • The story and dialogue suffer from poor translation and writing, making it difficult to engage with the narrative.
  • The user interface and controls can be clunky and unintuitive, leading to a less enjoyable experience overall.
  • story327 mentions

    The story in Spacebourne has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-paced, while others criticize it for being generic, poorly written, and filled with bugs. Many players appreciate the variety of missions and the freedom to explore, but express disappointment in the lack of depth and coherence in the main narrative. Overall, while the game offers a decent amount of content and side quests, the storytelling elements often feel underdeveloped and plagued by technical issues.

    • “The story drives you forward, and there are plenty of side missions you can discover.”
    • “Spacebourne is an open world RPG space sim, designed to give players the freedom to explore, make their own decisions, and decide how they want to play through the story.”
    • “The story is engaging, the combat is fun, and the entire game has this incredible dark brooding atmosphere to it - this can be plainly seen in the design of the stations, which are the best out of any space sim I've played.”
    • “Even after 20 hours of play, the game flow feels the same despite acquiring a variety of different skills, ships, and weapons. A lot could be forgiven if the game had a decent story or exploration, both of which Spacebourne completely lacks.”
    • “Now I got to the 'end' and saw that during the main missions, it suddenly seems like you can actually get started, and then one mission later it's like game over. Now do this other task to fill out the so-called story and wrap it up... you never build, never actually do anything you thought you would.”
    • “The story is full of plot holes and would probably be better left out. There is a sandbox mode included which does exactly this.”
  • gameplay91 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with many players enjoying the ship combat and character building, while others find the overall mechanics repetitive and lacking depth. While the combat is often highlighted as a strong point, the game suffers from clunky controls, bugs, and a lack of engaging activities beyond the initial hours. Overall, it offers a solid experience for fans of space games, but it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a more polished or diverse gameplay experience.

    • “However, overall I had a good time playing, and the gameplay where you are flying around and through an anomaly asteroid with 4-5 other ships trying to take you down is the most fun flying mechanic I have ever enjoyed.”
    • “Game has some minor annoying flaws expected from a solo indie dev product, but overall gameplay is solid and fun.”
    • “A very pleasant and rewarding gameplay.”
    • “The graphics were great, but the mechanics were very boring.”
    • “However, the mechanics of the game fall very short of being worth my money.”
    • “Pretty chill game but not much to do after around 30 hours; the gameplay loops pretty much and the trailer is not up to date at all. The game needs more activities because mining, collecting debris, clearing wormholes, and searching for anomalies gets boring pretty fast.”
  • graphics81 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not cutting-edge and can feel dated, they are generally serviceable and enjoyable for an indie title. Some users appreciate the visuals for their charm and immersion, while others criticize graphical glitches and a lack of polish. Overall, the consensus suggests that gameplay takes precedence over graphics, with many players willing to overlook visual shortcomings for a solid gaming experience.

    • “The graphics are great and no issues on epic settings, whereas Star Citizen struggles even on an RTX 4090 with around 30fps. This has no such problems, although the graphics aren't as complex as Star Citizen's.”
    • “From the moment I started up the game in the tutorial mode and was greeted with a very nice cutscene and crisp visuals, I knew that I was in for a treat.”
    • “I'm stunned by Spacebourne's amazing graphics both in stations and in space.”
    • “The impression is, however, severely marred by low-res textures and blurry graphics that would look dated about a decade ago, much less in 2018.”
    • “I felt like I was playing an old game like the X series; my PC still couldn't handle it, so I had to turn down the graphics to medium.”
    • “Stations seemed like an Unreal Engine asset flip; that's what turned me off to the game before because it looked like an Unreal Engine graphics demo.”
  • stability36 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience game freezes, quest-breaking glitches, and graphical problems, leading to frustration and a sense that the game is unfinished. While some users acknowledge the charm of its retro style and express enjoyment despite the bugs, the overall consensus is that the game is currently too unstable for a full recommendation.

    • “A quest glitches out and becomes impossible to complete.”
    • “These glitches are known to the developer for years who then chooses to sit on their hands and do nothing instead profiting from a fraudulent product which is near guaranteed to break under normal use.”
    • “Numerous bugs from game freezes to options not appearing to out of focus graphics which you have to constantly reload or completely shut down the game makes progress very very slow.”
  • music31 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the ability to choose from various genres, including rock and classical, which enhances their combat experience. While combat music is generally praised for its excitement and immersion, some players find the station music repetitive and lacking variety. Overall, the soundtrack is considered enjoyable, though there are calls for more diverse sound effects and improved audio consistency.

    • “The soundtrack is unusually good!”
    • “I've never been into music, so I usually just turn it off, but I love the fact that this game comes with several different music genres, and you can select your preference; I choose classical, and for the first time in years, I actually left my music on and truly enjoy it during combat.”
    • “Its quite exciting to play, the soundtrack is rocking and well-timed for ship battles.”
    • “On PC, I hate the fight music; controlling on the keyboard is a joke!”
    • “Music in the stations is quite boring; one looped track.”
    • “In space, there is no music except in combat where there are several different tracks, but the sound levels are inconsistent; sometimes they are too loud.”
  • grinding19 mentions

    Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, with many expressing a preference for fewer, stronger enemies rather than numerous weak ones. Activities such as mining, salvaging, and trading are often highlighted as particularly monotonous, leading to a sense of frustration rather than enjoyment. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract from the overall experience, making it feel like a chore rather than a rewarding part of gameplay.

    • “I really would have preferred fewer enemies that were stronger instead of dozens of weak ones, as combat can quickly turn into a tedious slog.”
    • “Most of your time will be spent grinding levels that really don't do much.”
    • “Trading is incredibly tedious and while it is based on a sophisticated supply and demand model, you are extremely limited in the amount of trade goods per transaction.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, such as frame rate drops and stuttering, particularly during complex encounters. However, others report smooth gameplay and good performance on high settings, suggesting that optimization may vary based on hardware configurations. Overall, while some users appreciate the game's performance relative to its price, others express concerns about its optimization, particularly on certain setups.

    • “Even better, Spacebourne is very well optimized and I did not take any notable performance hits.”
    • “I tested this on an Intel quad CPU overclocked to 4.3 GHz, dual GTX 980 Ti's, on a 3440 x 1400 32-inch widescreen monitor on the highest settings and was getting FPS of between 68 and 72, so I believe the game has been well optimized.”
    • “Performance is great--I'm playing it at what appears to be its max resolution with everything but effects on ultra and getting 60 FPS.”
    • “Throughout the entire encounter, the enemy ships are bouncing and stuttering around; your target lead even reflects this, as they're skipping in and out of position like a broken record.”
    • “In fact, I do not think the game is optimized as there is a lot going on that causes the frame rates to randomly drop to 20-30fps for a few seconds and then slowly go back to 60.”
    • “Very bad optimization.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, with some players praising its dark, brooding ambiance and impressive visual design, particularly in the stations, while others criticize the lack of ambient sounds and engaging environmental details. Although the music and overall aesthetic contribute positively, the randomly generated battlefields detract from the immersive experience. Overall, it attempts to create a compelling atmosphere reminiscent of titles like Stalker, but falls short in certain areas compared to competitors like EVE.

    • “The story is engaging, the combat is fun, and the entire game has this incredible dark brooding atmosphere to it - this can be plainly seen in the design of the stations, which are the best out of any space sim I've played.”
    • “Really - the game looks pretty nice and offers great atmosphere.”
    • “It plays and has the atmosphere of Stalker in space, and feels a bit deeper than Fallout 4.”
    • “That, combined with the lack of ambient sounds, really sucks the atmosphere out of a station.”
    • “All other planets are randomly generated space battlefields; you are not fighting in the atmosphere of the planet.”
    • “This game doesn't have the cool sound design, effects, and music that EVE does for atmosphere, but you can tell it's trying... and failing.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization of the game is perceived as a blatant cash grab, with users expressing disappointment over its unfinished state and likening it to an asset flip. Despite initial updates, there is skepticism about the developer's commitment to ongoing support once the initial revenue is generated.

    • “Obviously just a cash grab.”
    • “This game is a painfully obvious asset flip, despite frequent initial updates that are sure to dry up when the cash grab is over.”
    • “I really wanted this game to be good, and I wanted to give it a fair review, but it just feels like an alpha test, which isn't acceptable when a game's developer has launched it, advertising it to be in a ready state.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is ambitious, aiming for RPG-style progression and player choice, but ultimately falls short due to a lack of cohesive design and storytelling. While it offers features like NPC interaction and exploration, the execution does not meet the expectations set by similar titles like Freelancer. Overall, the potential for character development is present, but it is hindered by the game's overall design flaws.

    • “It comes with several features I always wanted to have in the perfect space game - like exploration on foot, flying different ships, upgrading ships and weapons, RPG-style character development, interaction with NPCs, trading, mining, raiding, visiting many solar systems and some planets, getting out of the ship and being able to walk inside your ship, making decisions and choosing your own path, exploring stations and planets on foot, and also being able to fight on foot.”
    • “The whole game seems to be developed by one guy, talented in using Unreal Engine, but sadly without any clue in terms of game design, level design, story arc, and character development.”
    • “It's not quite up there with Freelancer based on memory, but I see the game is trying to go there with the character development.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    While some users feel the game currently lacks replayability, particularly outside of the new sandbox mode, there is optimism that future updates and features will enhance this aspect significantly. The developer's engagement and plans for additional content have left players hopeful for improved replay value in the full release.

    • “This game offers incredible replayability, with so many different paths and choices that each playthrough feels unique.”
    • “The variety of missions and character builds keeps me coming back for more; I can play this game endlessly without getting bored.”
    • “Every time I dive back in, I discover something new, making each session feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “The game lacks replayability, but I am confident this will change with the full release version since the developer is super engaged and has announced some pretty cool potential release features to vote on.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by its janky mechanics and amusing translations, which contribute to a quirky experience. However, the frequent location warping may detract from the overall enjoyment, leading some players to suggest waiting for a sequel instead.

    • “The humor in this game is absolutely off the charts! The quirky dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud.”
    • “I love how the game embraces its jankiness; the hilarious translations and unexpected glitches add to the charm and make every playthrough unique.”
    • “The comedic timing in the cutscenes is spot on, and the characters' over-the-top reactions make even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

23hMedian play time
37hAverage play time
7-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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