Distant Light Games and publisher Hooded Horse are developing C-Beams, a new spaceship action-RPG for PC that draws heavily from the beloved Escape Velocity series. The game aims to modernize the classic space simulation experience, offering players a vast black hole system to explore.
C-Beams situates players as aspiring ship captains navigating a dangerous but resource-rich star system. Asteroids not only contain valuable elements but also serve as tactical cover during dogfights. The game features a 2.5D visual style, depicting expansive asteroid fields below the main navigable plane. Developers emphasize realistic ship handling, requiring players to master techniques such as retro burns for deceleration, engine cutoffs for stealth maneuvers, and efficient boost fuel management. Larger, ore-laden vessels will exhibit corresponding sluggishness in movement and handling.
Combat in C-Beams allows for varied engagement, from close-quarters shredding of enemy ships with recoilless weaponry to long-range engagements using guided missiles and railguns. The game even allows players to acquire and equip "C-beams," a nod to the ambiguous term from Blade Runner's iconic "tears in rain" monologue. This element directly links the game's premise to the science fiction film, reinterpreting the phrase as a tangible in-game system.
The game world is structured as a network of jump points connecting settled planets and stations, each controlled by different factions, alongside extensive uncharted regions. While the 2.5D graphics represent a significant leap beyond its predecessor, Escape Velocity, C-Beams retains a familiar overall feel, particularly in its HUD and viewing dimensions. The game also places a greater emphasis on mining operations compared to its inspirations. Modern additions include a hangar system for switching between multiple ships and a skill unlocking system.
Although Escape Velocity is not explicitly mentioned on the game's Steam page, the lineage is evident, particularly in the core gameplay loop and thematic elements. For players eager for a similar experience while awaiting C-Beams, titles such as Endless Sky and 3030 Deathwar are also available.