Exploring the Ambitious Underspace: A Demo Experience

The Underspace demo, showcased during the Steam Next Fest, presents an intriguing blend of Freelancer-inspired space action and Lovecraftian horror. Developed by Pastaspace Interactive, this game aims to deliver a unique and captivating experience that reaches for more than it can perhaps achieve, making it a plucky game worth rooting for.

Upon starting the demo, players are greeted with cinematics and a first-person scripted sequence, which immediately sets the tone for an immersive adventure. The introduction of a character with a history and friends adds a layer of depth to the game, making the player feel connected to the universe. The ability to explore a handful of areas on the space station, which could functionally be menus but wouldn’t be the same if they were, creates an engaging and interactive environment.

The visuals of Underspace are reminiscent of a low-fi version of Mass Effect’s Citadel, with a variety of strange and compelling species of bugs, crystals, and robots casually hanging out. The inclusion of a bar where players can spend their meagre starting cash on a photograph whose use they do not remotely know adds a touch of realism and immersion.

The gameplay in Underspace is a mix of shooter and trader elements. The flight controls and combat are arcade-y and scrappy, making it accessible to players who might not be familiar with the genre. The addition of a spacestorm, which illuminates impossibly vast octopoid tendrils beneath the fabric of reality and forces players to fight a giant skeletal snake to kill the storm, adds a sense of urgency and excitement.

The demo also includes a side-mission, where players can save someone, accidentally pick a fight with spacecops, buy a new ship, buy new weapons, buy pornography they might sell elsewhere for a profit, fly through a shoal of spacejellyfish, and lose a fight with pirates who jumped them at a jumpgate after they declined to pay them off. These experiences offer a glimpse into the vast and complex universe of Underspace.

The full game promises to include 70 “handcrafted” star systems, over 60 flyable ships, 150 pieces of equipment, 150 stations, 40 factions, 50 cargo types, and over 20 bosses. From the hints seen in the loading screen, there are some fun and weird things out there in space, including sentient Space Hulks.

Underspace is due to launch into early access on the 10th of April, with plans to launch in full after a year of polishing and fleshing out. It will be available on Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. Early development was supported by a Kickstarter in 2019, and it has since picked up a publisher, Camlann Games.

While the Steam Next Fest has ended, players can still download the demo and explore the ambitious world of Underspace. For those who enjoy spaceship shoot-o-traders, this game offers a unique and captivating experience that reaches for more than it can perhaps achieve, making it a plucky game worth rooting for.

Underspace’s demo provides a glimpse into a universe filled with wild ambition, spooky space action, and a vast array of handcrafted star systems, ships, equipment, stations, factions, and cargo types. The combination of Freelancer-inspired space action and Lovecraftian horror creates an engaging and immersive experience that is sure to captivate players.

The demo showcases the game’s beautiful visuals, which are reminiscent of a low-fi version of Mass Effect’s Citadel, and its engaging gameplay, which is a mix of shooter and trader elements. The addition of a spacestorm and side-missions offers a sense of urgency and excitement, making the player feel connected to the universe.

Underspace’s full game promises to deliver an even more expansive and complex universe, with over 70 handcrafted star systems, over 60 flyable ships, 150 pieces of equipment, 150 stations, 40 factions, 50 cargo types, and over 20 bosses. The prospect of fighting sentient Space Hulks adds an element of danger and excitement to the game.

In conclusion, the Underspace demo offers a glimpse into a game with wild ambition, reaching to be more than it can perhaps achieve. Its unique blend of Freelancer-inspired space action and Lovecraftian horror creates an engaging and immersive experience that is sure to captivate players. With its beautiful visuals, engaging gameplay, and vast universe, Underspace is a plucky game worth rooting for.

Underspace’s demo is available for download on Steam and Itch, and the full game is due to launch into early access on the 10th of April. For those who enjoy spaceship shoot-o-traders and are looking for a unique and captivating experience, Underspace is definitely worth checking out.