SpaceBourne 2

SpaceBourne 2 is an ambitious space sim RPG developed primarily by a solo developer, offering a vast galaxy to explore with ship and ground combat, trading, mining, and faction building. Players appreciate its accessible gameplay compared to more complex sims like Elite Dangerous, with seamless planetary landings and RPG elements enhancing immersion. The game features a mix of space flight and third-person combat, with evolving character and ship customization.

However, the release version is marred by numerous bugs, crashes, and janky controls that hinder enjoyment. Players report frequent crashes during warp travel, broken quests, unresponsive UI, and AI-generated voice acting that detracts from immersion. The tutorial and mission guidance can be confusing and slow, with some missions feeling tedious due to long wait times and unclear objectives. Despite these issues, the developer is praised for active updates and community engagement, showing promise for future improvements.

Highlights

Players praise the accessible and intuitive space combat mechanics, which feel fluid and engaging compared to other space sims. The game’s vast seamless galaxy with planetary landings and the combination of space and ground combat add depth. The RPG elements and faction systems provide meaningful choices and progression, appealing to fans of open-world space RPGs. Many admire the impressive scope and scale achieved by a small development team, with ongoing patches improving stability and gameplay. The mix of exploration, trading, and combat offers a rich sandbox experience for space sim enthusiasts.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the numerous bugs and frequent crashes, especially during warp travel and mission progression. The UI is often described as clunky and unintuitive, with confusing mission logs and poor feedback on objectives. Controls feel loose or unresponsive, and combat impact lacks weight. The AI-generated voice acting and writing quality detract from immersion. Players also note the tedious and overly long tutorial section, slow travel times, and some repetitive or hollow planetary environments. Many feel the game was released prematurely and needs more polish to fulfill its potential.