100
Additional variability in gameplay, however, is provided by a decent number of ship types, which was the biggest shortcoming of the preliminary version. Now the game contains around ten ship classes. In addition, the internal layout of each individual ship within a class is different. So you don't have to worry about running into the exact same vessel twice in dozens of hours of play. [Issue#320]
95
Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a masterpiece. It offers perfectly-tuned gameplay that dovetails flawlessly with the story that it’s telling, and it’s the rare example that manages to make its points entirely through mechanics — even if someone stripped out all of the dialogue, players would still understand what the game has to say about the crushing cycle of worker exploitation under capitalism. The fact that the developers went out of their way to build a believable world and great characters to help players empathize with the people trapped in this corrupt system shows how much they cared about making the best possible version of their work.
70
This is a one-of-a-kind saga about a space rigger, but it needs some memorable moments in order to shine.
7
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
9
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
5
Man, I've never played a game that I loved the premise so much but just felt more and more bogged down by the game mechanics the longer I played. The premise of salvaging ships, taking them apart piece by piece to get the most profit for yourself while not trying to waste any materials is genius. Each ship is a little puzzle on how to take it apart without waste and without killing yourself.
For one thing: your character moves PAINFULLY SLOW. I'm sure this is sped up later with progression, but after the first couple tutorials i was introduced to the limited O2 and Fuel mechanic.. again so you can improve them with experience over time. So you are constantly rocketing back to base to refill on those. But then, by my 4th ship, for some strange reason, each day is limited to 15 minutes which wasn't the case before. With the slow move speed.. 15+ seconds to get to the ship, and back to base, and to O2 and back, of which you will make at least 4 trips per day. And with studying the ship and finding the weak points, I'm lucky if I salvage 4-5 pieces a day. This is where the game becomes a literal chore. On my first timed day, I made ZERO dollars while in 1.5 billion dollar debt. haha. I already have chores and debt in my real life, I don't need any more of that.
Damn, it's a shame because I really wanted to like this game. A puzzle game you play at your own pace would be great but with gamers today everything has to be a race.
PS: Also, no in game save so if you need to walk away you have to quit the level or leave your PC running. Is this 1995?
Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Released On:
May 24, 2022
Metascore
Generally Favorable
83
User score
Mixed or Average
7.4
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
83
85% Positive
29 Reviews
29 Reviews
15% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jan 29, 2024
100
Additional variability in gameplay, however, is provided by a decent number of ship types, which was the biggest shortcoming of the preliminary version. Now the game contains around ten ship classes. In addition, the internal layout of each individual ship within a class is different. So you don't have to worry about running into the exact same vessel twice in dozens of hours of play. [Issue#320]
May 28, 2022
91
A satisfying disassembly sim wrapped in cutting workplace commentary, Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a gig well worth taking up.
User score
Mixed or Average
7.4
59% Positive
44 Ratings
44 Ratings
29% Mixed
22 Ratings
22 Ratings
12% Negative
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
Sep 13, 2023
10
Honestly who knew I would be playing a game where your only job is to break apart ships for a big shady Corporation and enjoy it even if I've been clone so many times my ij game bank balance is so far in the negative but hey got some cool tunes to Bob my head along to while I break apart this ship and try no to explode for the 50th time. I fully invite people to join me and many more shipbreakers like me in Hardspace Shipbreaker
Jul 6, 2022
10
This is Game of the Year 2022. Everything about this game is solid. But the controls are amazing. It's not because I've been a gameplay programmer and designer for 20 years that I think I'm right. But that experience is why I think the immense attention to detail in the controls are so amazing.
May 24, 2022
90
Hardspace: Shipbreaker is like no other game out there, and offers a genuinely immersive and rewarding experience.
Jun 28, 2022
80
Hardspace: Shipbreaker is what happens when passionate developers and artists set out to create a “worker simulator”. Blackbird Interactive came up with a fantastic idea for a game, made it real using an excellent physics engine and wrapped the whole thing in stunning graphics.
May 30, 2022
80
The finest work-sim out there, Hardspace: Shipbreaker sets a high bar for anyone hoping to challenge it for the throne. This sci-fi salvage game is essential for anyone looking for a new puzzle game, but also players that just want to pull apart giant ships with little more than a laser cutter and a dream.
May 24, 2022
78
Wrecking simulation with amazing physics, excellent sound and a lot of alone-in-space atmosphere. In parts though very repetitive.
Jun 3, 2022
60
Hardspace: Shipbreaker makes disassembling giant spacecraft piece by piece fun for a bit, but due to a lack of variety in its puzzle-like objectives it soon devolves into hard labor.
Jun 10, 2022
10
You'll see a number of people objecting to the story in Hardspace: Shipbreaker. This is because the story, from the very beginning, satirizes and mocks the abuses, excesses, greed, and doublespeak of corporations. People who believe that corporations are righteous entities that are more important than people *hate* this. The story is heartfelt and human and relevant to today's situation, and the voice acting (with perhaps the exception of Hal) is some of the best I have ever heard in a game. That said, there isn't any choice the player can make with regards to the story; the story progresses as you achieve the certification ranks. Each time you level up, you are presented with upgrades to your shipbreaking kit and snippets of the story the next morning (though sometimes the story pieces come at the end of the work shift rather than at the beginning). Early on there isn't any time pressure to help you learn, so sessions can last 20-40 minutes or so. After you get the hang of things, though, each "work day" is limited to 15 minutes, so you can play this game in bite-size pieces. The core gameplay loop is super fun. See to your gear, choose a ship, get to work taking it apart, and if you don't finish then you can go back to it the next day. Finishing a ship with as little waste as possible is the key to earning the highest amount of rewards in the smallest time. The sound design in this game is amazing. There is an upgrade for your suit that simulates sounds happening around you. Not only does this help give you auditory context clues to your surroundings, but it also leads to satisfying feedback for the work that you do. The soundtrack is fantastic! It's down-home Americana without lyrics, and there is a dynamic music system to add high-tech drama when you're doing something dangerous. There were a couple weird things that happened, such as things behind me or to my side that exploded when I was using the cutting laser on things in front of me, or getting killed when shutting down the fuel supply in a ship's thruster and the frame of the engine splits apart while you're inside it. But all in all, the physics work great and in a realistic way. I highly recommend this game to everyone- especially if you're an AnCap.
Sep 26, 2022
7
Pretty fun game with a depressing story. The game drags on wayyyy too long without innovation. The first half of the story is oretty good tho.
May 25, 2022
4
Good core gameplay undermined by a dull, terribly-implemented story with bad, unskippable dialog and other shoddy features like the Hab that detract from the game rather than adding anything. If the last year of updates are any indication, this game will continue to get worse rather than better. A good game ruined
SummaryEquipped with cutting-edge salvaging tech, carve & slice spaceships to recover valuable materials. Upgrade your gear to take on more lucrative contracts and pay your billion credits debt to LYNX Corp!
Platforms:
- PC
- Xbox Series X
- PlayStation 5
Initial Release Date:May 24, 2022
Developer:
Publisher:
