Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace
- March 27, 2023
- Cybertech
Get on SteamAn adaptation of the AD&D Spelljammer campaign setting, this game combines ship-to-ship combat, trading, and boarding party tactical combat.
PC
Windows
Ms Dos
Reviews
- The game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and retro charm, making it a fun blast from the past for fans of old-school AD&D.
- It features an open-world feel, allowing players to engage in various missions and explore the unique Spelljammer setting.
- The soundtrack is enjoyable and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and crashes, making it difficult to play and often unplayable during key moments.
- Ship-to-ship and hand-to-hand combat mechanics are cumbersome and not enjoyable, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.
- The economy system is flawed, with static cargo prices across all ports, limiting the player's ability to profit from trading.
- story22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of variety and engaging content, primarily revolving around repetitive cargo missions that feel more like a glorified taxi service. Players report significant technical issues, such as game freezes during critical moments, which hinder progress in the main quest. While there is a simple overarching narrative and various missions available, the execution leaves many feeling frustrated and unable to fully experience the story.
“You can get missions pitting you against neogi ships, which technically can be destroyed in space from the start, albeit with some difficult maneuvering and a bit of luck.”
“You can haul cargo, do various types of missions, hunt pirates or search for hidden stuff in wildspace, with the goal being upgrading your ship, buying a new one, leveling and buying gear for your crew, gaining notoriety and reputation and maybe eventually doing the main quest, which is pretty simple, but it is there for you to find.”
“You're basically stuck doing the same random cargo drop-off missions for the same amount of gold every time.”
“I was really enjoying it, but thumbs down because I can't even start the story, let alone finish it.”
“Every time a zombie attacks one of my crew members, the game freezes, making it impossible to complete the first story mission.”
- music8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with many users noting that the soundtrack is both enjoyable and visually appealing. While it enhances the overall playability, some players mention that it can become repetitive over time. Additionally, a high-quality remake of the soundtrack is available for listening on YouTube.
“The playability is complemented by great music.”
“The soundtrack totally slaps and looks cool in the collection.”
“If you want, you can also listen to the high-quality remake soundtrack, which is available on YouTube.”
“I also love the music, even though it does get repetitive after some time.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, frequently freezing during combat interactions, particularly when hitting enemies or when crew members are attacked. While it has fewer bugs compared to the original DOS version, crashes still occur, hindering gameplay and mission progression.
“Game freezes as soon as you land a hit on an enemy monster.”
“Every time a zombie attacks one of my crew members, the game freezes, making it impossible to complete the first story mission.”
“The other issue is that the game is buggy and can crash sometimes, though this release has far fewer bugs than I remember from the original DOS game.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace" may not match the maturity of later titles like "Krynn," but they effectively capture the game's unique atmosphere and bizarre visuals of the Spelljammer setting. The visuals successfully portray D&D combat in space, featuring both ship-to-ship and boarding elements, making it a distinctive experience despite its niche appeal.
“Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace was niche even when it came out, but it is remarkable in its atmosphere, with bizarre visuals of the Spelljammer setting, portraying D&D combat in space with both ship-to-ship and boarding elements.”
“A game that may not be as graphically mature as later titles like Krynn, but for me is more playable.”
“Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace was niche even when it came out, but it is remarkable in its atmosphere, bizarre visuals of the Spelljammer setting, portraying D&D combat in space with both ship-to-ship and boarding elements.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its high replayability, with players finding it more enjoyable and playable compared to graphically superior titles like Krynn. This suggests that engaging gameplay mechanics and overall fun outweigh the visual aspects for many users.
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace" is highly praised for its unique and bizarre visuals, effectively capturing the essence of D&D combat in a space setting. The game combines ship-to-ship battles with boarding elements, creating a distinctive and immersive experience that stands out despite its niche appeal.
“Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace was niche even when it came out, but it is remarkable in its atmosphere, with bizarre visuals of the Spelljammer setting, portraying D&D combat in space with both ship-to-ship and boarding elements.”
