Star Nomad 2

About

Star Nomad 2 is a single player role playing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Huy Phan and was released on December 14, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In "Star Nomad 2," a sandbox space game, players can engage in various professions such as trading, bounty hunting, piracy, and mining. Your actions have consequences that affect the game's living universe and its factions. The game features real-time combat, skill-based progression, and a deep trade system with dynamic supply and demand. Customize your ship with upgrades, modules, and resources found during gameplay. Decide the fate of humanity in this immersive and evolving universe.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 135 reviews

gameplay16 positive mentions

story5 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a dynamic economy that reacts to player actions, making trading and combat feel meaningful.
Variety of playstyles available, allowing players to choose between being a trader, bounty hunter, or pirate, with unique mechanics for each.
Active developer who responds to community feedback and regularly updates the game, enhancing the overall experience.

Combat can feel chaotic and unbalanced, especially with the kill-steal mechanic that rewards only the last hit on enemies.
User interface can be clunky and difficult to navigate, leading to frustration during gameplay.
The game may require a significant time investment to progress, which can be off-putting for players looking for a more casual experience.

gameplay
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
62%
6%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of satisfying mechanics, such as ship control and trading, but is marred by repetitiveness and a lack of depth in content. Players appreciate the tactical elements and the challenge of kill-stealing, though some find the mechanics clunky and the progression system incomplete. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable moments and unique features, it struggles with balance and can lead to boredom after extended play.
- “The dynamic economy that directly influences the factions' forces, the character progression, and the gameplay is what kept me playing it.”
- “The gameplay itself is very fluid, especially in how the ships handle.”
- “Never have done a review for anything, but this dev won my heart with great gameplay and RPG system that I haven't been so engrossed into since Spaz.”
- “Got bored with the gameplay after only 2 hours.”
- “In my gameplay experience, half the times I left a planet, it was being attacked by hostiles that appeared to spawn right around it every time I left a planet.”
- “The game feels very incomplete and lacks a fulfilling gameplay progression.”
story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
80%
11%
The game's story is described as relatively shallow, lacking a cohesive linear narrative or deep faction storylines, which may disappoint players seeking a rich plot. While there are engaging NPC quests and emergent storylines, many players feel that the missions often lead to frustration rather than meaningful progression. Overall, the game allows for player-driven storytelling in a vast universe, but it may not satisfy those looking for a traditional, intricate narrative experience.
- “The game would be even better if there were more late-game story content, but as is it's a masterpiece, especially for a solo developer.”
- “There's just enough story to let players make a moral decision on who to support and why three factions are constantly at each other's throats.”
- “As you get deeper into the game you start to unravel overarching storylines.”
- “Unfortunately, factions do not have storylines and the minor quests do not really chain together to form something larger.”
- “The skills of the pilot you play and the team you recruit are well done, but there's not a lot of 'story' to the game, so if you're looking for that, this game isn't it.”
- “The story in SN2 is relatively shallow overall.”
graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
The graphics of the game are primarily 2D, featuring a hand-painted, cyberpunk-inspired art style that some players find charming, despite its simplicity. While the visuals may not compete with high-end 3D titles, they are generally well-received for their aesthetic coherence and pleasant effects, making the game enjoyable for those who appreciate a more relaxed, retro look. Overall, players suggest that the graphics do not detract from the gameplay experience, especially for fans of space-themed games.
- “Beautiful hand-painted graphics remind me of cyberpunk.”
- “I find the game's cyberpunk-esque art style rather quaint, and the visual effects are simple but pleasant.”
- “A good looking 2D space sim, runs great on my notebook with basic Intel graphics.”
- “It has very simple graphics.”
- “Graphics: it's 2D, so don't expect Call of Duty graphics.”
- “The graphics look like a flash game.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and overly repetitive, often feeling locked out of content due to a grindy reputation system. Many reviewers express frustration with the lack of engaging gameplay, noting that the grind detracts from the overall fun and progression, leading to a rinse-repeat cycle that diminishes enjoyment. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the potential for a more enjoyable game.
- “Endless grinding followed by an end game scenario that's impossible to win.”
- “Very repetitive, grindy, and lacks content.”
- “There is a decent shell of a game here; it could be fun, but it lacks content and any content that is here is locked behind the grindy reputation system.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is highly praised for its variety and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, seamlessly transitioning from relaxing tracks to intense battle themes that energize players. It features a unique blend of styles, including epic scores and techno-noir elements, which contribute to an immersive atmosphere that resonates with the game's cyberpunk and space themes. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout aspect, effectively complementing the game's art and gameplay.
- “The music is varied, with tasteful tracks that mix things up so you don't fall asleep, going from epic scores to techno-noir 'let's kick some arse!' vibes.”
- “The music is appropriately spacey in sound, with guitar riffs that evoke the feel of an old space-rock band.”
- “There is plenty of variety in the music, and it suits the world really well. What I absolutely love is when you engage in a battle with an enemy and the music switches up to really hype you up!”
- “The music is very relaxing, and when the shit hits the fan, it's quick and crazy.”
- “The music is appropriately spacey in sound, with guitar riffs that sound like an old space-rock band.”
- “There is plenty of variety and it suits the world really well, but what I absolutely love is when you engage in a battle with an enemy and then the music switches up to really hype you up!”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, with enjoyable and repetitive gameplay that keeps players engaged through a variety of ships, systems, and combat mechanics. While some players note that the grind for resources can be time-consuming, the potential for future updates and character progression adds to its replay value. Many recommend the game for its entertainment factor and the price point, suggesting it is worth revisiting.
- “It's got a classic arcade feel to it; add to that a ton of variety in ships, systems, wares, and guns, and it's also seriously replayable.”
- “This is a game that in its current state has replay value, but with the future planned features, it will definitely bring me back for sure.”
- “All in all, I definitely recommend you give this game a go, and I do think there is plenty of replay value, especially for the price you pay for it.”
- “This is a game that in its current state has replay value, but with the future planned features will definitely bring me back for sure.”
- “That says something for replay value, but gaining money takes time, possibly too much to risk all your money on roguelike difficulty.”
- “Star Nomad 2 has nothing to do with the first title; it is a deep squad-based combat RPG and character progression, which means there is replay value even in your character build.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its dark and absurd elements, such as the comedic consequences of player actions, like causing a faction's downfall through drug trafficking. Players find amusement in the unexpected and often ridiculous outcomes of their choices.
- “It's funny seeing an entire faction crumble due to me hauling drugs to their worlds.”
- “Do it one time too much and they will attack you, funny ...”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players report that the game is well-optimized, with smooth performance and no noticeable bugs.
- “The game feels very optimized; I haven't noticed any bugs yet.”
- “The performance is smooth, and the loading times are impressively short.”
- “I appreciate how well the game runs on lower-end hardware without sacrificing quality.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is praised for its stability, running smoothly even on lower-end hardware, such as notebooks with basic Intel graphics.
- “A good looking 2D space sim that runs great on my notebook with low-end Intel graphics.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate even during intense battles, which enhances the overall experience.”
- “I've experienced zero crashes or bugs, making for a smooth and enjoyable gameplay session.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a straightforward entry point for players, yet provides sufficient depth in character development, enemy knowledge, and ship design to maintain engagement and prevent monotony.
- “The game is designed to be simple, so it isn’t overwhelming to get started, but there is enough depth in character development, knowledge of enemies, and ship design to keep it from getting stale.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is highly immersive, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and well-developed characters that draw players into the experience. Reviewers highlight how the music complements the game's setting, further enriching the overall ambiance.
- “The immersive atmosphere, combined with the captivating soundtrack and well-developed characters, truly enhances the gaming experience.”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly engaging, with a perfect blend of music and character interactions that draw you into its world.”
- “I was completely absorbed by the atmosphere; the soundtrack and character dynamics create a unique and memorable experience.”