Space Run a fun way to jaunt around the stars
WHILE we’ve nigh-on had our fill of tower defence games at the moment, Space Run Galaxy is a surprisingly engrossing combination of tried-and-tested tower-defence strategising and twitchy arcade action.
Broadly speaking, it’s a game about running cargo from point A to point B--and sometimes point C or more, since some jobs take you to multiple star systems. You might go to places with names like Station K-2001 and Ceti Station instead of Indianapolis and Boise, and you might haul radioactive barrels and genetic decoders instead of frozen foods and car tires, but the focus here is still all about making deliveries on time with your cargo intact.
Laying out your weapons and utilities carefully is a key skill in Space Run Galaxy. Most weapons have to be placed right on the edge of your ship, there are firing arcs to worry about and there’s no way to pick up and move your guns around a bit, either – once they’re attached, they’re attached for good. Or until they get blasted into smithereens by whom or whatever is chasing you today. If you want more, you’ll need to visit a shipyard with a high enough level mechanic to make it. And for that, you need cash and materials. And for those, you need to complete some contracts.
Missions are broken down into three groups. There’s story missions which offer higher rewards and help guide you through the galaxy’s four distinct sectors, within which are a number of planets that you’ll be trucking to and from for various people who’re entrusting you with their goods. Then you have the side-missions: basic jobs, for the most part, that give you some cash and a number of random goodies upon completion. Finally, there are player-created contracts. These contracts exist as a way for players to interact, sell and buy goods, and even help out one another with delivery runs.
That said, multiplayer seems to exist right now mainly as a way to pick up the odd run for extra credits or equipment. And since many missions allow you unlimited respawns, there isn’t any real reason to take on these multiplayer offers unless you happen to be going in the right direction and have the room for a little extra cargo.
Although it may be just shy of being thoroughly fleshed out, Space Run Galaxy is a truly fun way to jaunt around the stars. Packed with tactical nuance, a wide range of customisation and a decent sense of humour, Space Run Galaxy is absolutely worth the reasonable price tag.