ZeroSpace, an ambitious new title from developers Starlance Studios and Ironward, aims to blend the strategic depth of real-time strategy games with the narrative focus of RPGs. Drawing inspiration from StarCraft 2 for its core RTS mechanics and Mass Effect for its campaign elements, the game also incorporates a "Galactic War" mode reminiscent of Helldivers 2's dynamic, player-driven conflict.
The game's early access build showcases a campaign that, while starting with a familiar 'humanity needs a rare resource' premise, quickly introduces complex political intrigue and friction among the player's crew. Though the writing and voice performances are described as functional rather than exceptional, the narrative setup shows promise for the game's more cinematic, RPG-inspired aspects. Between missions, players can interact with their crew, level up companions who assist in gameplay, and upgrade troops and buildings, with potential for synergistic builds.
Gameplay in the campaign missions emphasizes streamlined micromanagement, allowing players to focus on action. A standout feature is the ability to draw a "battle line" for unit formations, an evolution of traditional cover systems. However, the user interface is noted as being visually unappealing and sometimes difficult to parse, especially during large-scale battles with diverse unit sizes and numerous enemies. While an art overhaul is underway, the current aesthetic is a mix of Mass Effect and StarCraft 2 on a budget, with ship and vehicle designs being the most noteworthy elements.
Beyond the campaign, ZeroSpace offers a variety of multiplayer modes, including comp-stomp skirmishes, co-op survival, and 1v1 or 2v2 PvP. The "Galactic War" mode is positioned as a significant multiplayer hook, featuring competitive, season-long campaigns where players fight for their chosen faction to conquer the galaxy and earn rewards. These rewards, currently limited to titles and portraits, are seen as lacking in motivational power compared to cosmetic items.
A significant point of contention for ZeroSpace is its integration of streamers into the Galactic War. Players choose factions aligned with specific streamers, with the implication that they are fighting for the streamer's ascendancy. This approach has drawn criticism for prioritizing streamer partnerships over player engagement, especially considering the potential for these streamers to be unknown to a significant portion of the player base. The game's "First Contact Invitational" tournament, featuring streamers and pro players with a substantial prize pool, further highlights this focus, which some feel detracts from the game's development priorities.
Developers assert that competitive multiplayer is not the sole focus, with significant attention given to single-player, co-op, and comp-stomp modes. Nevertheless, the early emphasis on streamers has been met with disappointment by those who believe RTS games traditionally thrive on their campaigns and skirmish modes. The game's Steam rating has recently improved from "Mixed" as players acknowledge its early access status and ongoing development. Despite its promising elements, including a robust campaign and the innovative Galactic War concept, ZeroSpace is recommended for players to wait for further development and polish.