Table of Contents
amazon Void Bastards reviews
Concept and Storyline
Set in the Sargasso Nebula, a lawless region of space littered with derelict spacecraft and hostile alien entities, “Void Bastards” places players in the role of an AI-controlled crew of rehydrated prisoners. These prisoners are tasked with escaping the nebula by scavenging the remains of wrecked spaceships, gathering resources, and crafting essential items needed for their journey. The story is delivered with a tongue-in-cheek tone, often poking fun at the grim situation the characters find themselves in, and it provides just enough context to drive the gameplay forward without overwhelming players with exposition.
The game’s narrative structure is simple but effective, with a focus on the prisoners’ plight as they navigate the dangers of the nebula. Each prisoner is a “void bastard,” a term that aptly describes their desperate situation and the grim humor that permeates the game. The storyline unfolds through a series of comic book-style panels, which are both visually striking and perfectly in line with the game’s aesthetic. This method of storytelling allows the game to maintain a brisk pace while still providing enough narrative hooks to keep players invested in their journey.
As players progress, they will encounter various factions, such as the citizenry of the nebula—human survivors who have adapted to life aboard the derelict ships—and hostile alien species like the pirates and janitors. These factions add depth to the game’s world and provide additional challenges for players to overcome. The story also includes a meta-narrative about the oppressive bureaucratic system that controls the prisoners, offering a satirical commentary on corporate greed and dehumanization.
Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, “Void Bastards” is a blend of strategic planning and intense first-person action. The game is structured around a series of missions where players must explore derelict spacecraft, each with its own layout, hazards, and enemies. The primary goal is to scavenge resources and key items needed to progress through the game, but the path to these objectives is rarely straightforward. Players must carefully balance their needs for food, fuel, ammunition, and crafting materials while avoiding or confronting the many dangers that lurk in the nebula.
The Void Bastards opened with a short comic strip, as two men guarding a space station complained in a thick English accent that “someone” had forgotten the report as she flew past them through humorous, witty, making the writer have immediate feelings for the game, and even more excited when he realized that the Void Bastards “presented” itself in front of the player’s eyes like a comic book series.
The game has a 3D visual style like classic FPS games like DOOM (do you know 6 reasons to buy DOOM Eternal?) Or Wolfenstein 3D (the latest version is Wolfenstein Youngblood not appreciated yet? ), when the characters, weapons, and enemies all have a feeling of “flat”, like being merged into a comic box.
Not only that, all of the game’s sound effects are illustrated by “effects” written to words like Thwak! Kaboom !, makes the writer feel very excited when playing a witty manga series from “Bronze Age”!
Void Bastards are also witty in character building, there are times when your character is … colorblind, and everything you see becomes black and white, or you are very short and suddenly the game turns into like you can keep the button sitting for the entire game time!
Not only has a special style of expression, but the gameplay of Void Bastards is also equally unique.
The player will be “given” a certain ship with the same amount of food/fuel to be able to perform the task assigned by BACS, the main “narrator” of the game, and from here on role-playing gameplay. The Void Bastards influence from the previous games is clear – players will be “sent” to ships floating in space to collect resources to upgrade the character you are playing, as well as to progress the plot.
The main gameplay loop of the Void Bastards is to fly to a destination, land, destroy enemies, gather resources, and escape.
Each level has a very tight structure so that players can always connect the entrance and exit, as well as some special interactions to make the game easier.
Each location the player “lands” will have a special material needed for character upgrades or creating a new weapon, and the player’s number one goal on board will be to find the original item data, and you need to know that the game is not too difficult about this!
Players can leave the train any time they want, because you don’t always need the upgrade, but will always need other resources to lengthen the journey, thereby making it interesting. The best part of the game is that you can play at any pace you want, especially when you have achieved a certain level of upgrades, can smash difficult locations to find rarer resources, or walk sightseeing places that are easier to collect fuel and food for future trips.
The Void Bastards have immense freedom and consistent rewards throughout the game that make the experience always enjoyable, no matter what angle you want to approach the game with.
The game has a rogue-like approach, meaning that every death the player experiences is permadeath and they will start over, which on paper looks great, and is a fulcrum for a lot of funny moments in the game, but the writer after… dying to the 17th time when “accidentally” stumbled at the beginning of the game an hour ago, was frustrating!
The locations are no longer interesting for players to explore if they just die, die all over again, and the game does not match this approach, since once the player reaches a certain threshold. … they will be “immortal” too, and all the rogue-like elements of the game will become redundant and unnecessary …
where can you get a Void Bastards online
Void Bastards – Nintendo Switch: Buy it now
Void Bastards – PlayStation 4: Buy it now
Void Bastards Standard – Switch [Digital Code]: Buy it now
Strengths and Weaknesses
“Void Bastards” excels in many areas, but like any game, it’s not without its flaws. One of its most significant strengths is the way it blends different genres to create a unique experience that feels fresh and innovative. The combination of strategy, FPS mechanics, and roguelike elements results in gameplay that is both challenging and rewarding. The game’s strategic depth, coupled with its dynamic combat and resource management, ensures that players are constantly engaged and thinking several steps ahead.
The visual and audio design of “Void Bastards” is another major strength. The cel-shaded, comic book-inspired art style is both distinctive and visually appealing, giving the game a unique identity that sets it apart from other titles in the genre. The sound design, with its atmospheric audio cues and fitting soundtrack, further enhances the immersion, making every moment spent in the Sargasso Nebula feel tense and impactful.
The game’s humor and writing also deserve praise. The sharp, witty dialogue and darkly humorous tone add depth to the narrative, making the story and characters more memorable. The satirical take on corporate bureaucracy and the absurdity of the prisoners’ situation provides a welcome counterbalance to the game’s more serious, survival-oriented gameplay.
However, “Void Bastards” is not without its weaknesses. Some players may find the game’s difficulty curve to be a bit steep, especially in the early stages when resources are scarce and enemies are overwhelming. The procedural generation, while adding to the game’s replayability, can also lead to situations where players feel unfairly punished by a particularly harsh or unlucky combination of ship layouts, enemy placements, and random events.
Another potential downside is the game’s reliance on its roguelike mechanics, which may not appeal to all players. While the permadeath system is handled in a way that minimizes frustration, some players may still find the loss of progress after a character’s death to be discouraging. Additionally, the procedural nature of the game can sometimes result in a lack of narrative cohesion, as the story takes a backseat to the gameplay.
Lastly, while the game offers a wide variety of weapons, tools, and upgrades, some players may feel that the overall progression system could be more robust. The crafting system, while functional, is relatively straightforward and may not provide enough depth for players who enjoy more complex or intricate upgrade paths. Similarly, while the traits system adds an interesting layer of strategy, the randomness of trait assignment can sometimes feel limiting rather than empowering.
Conclusion
“Void Bastards” is a standout title that successfully merges the best elements of strategy games, first-person shooters, and roguelikes into a cohesive and compelling experience. Its unique visual style, strategic depth, and dark humor set it apart from other games in the genre, while its challenging gameplay and procedural generation ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same. Whether you’re navigating derelict ships in search of vital resources, battling hostile aliens, or crafting powerful new weapons, every moment in the Sargasso Nebula feels intense and engaging.
The game’s blend of tactical planning, resource management, and first-person action creates a gameplay loop that is both rewarding and addictive, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies and approaches. The humor and writing add an extra layer of enjoyment, making the story and characters memorable even as you struggle to survive in a harsh, unforgiving universe.
While “Void Bastards” is not without its flaws—such as a steep difficulty curve, potential frustration with the roguelike elements, and a relatively simple progression system—these issues are minor compared to the game’s many strengths. For fans of strategy games, roguelikes, or first-person shooters, “Void Bastards” offers a fresh and exciting experience that is well worth your time. It’s a game that rewards careful planning, smart decision-making, and the willingness to adapt to ever-changing circumstances, all while maintaining a sense of humor and style that is uniquely its own.
In conclusion, “Void Bastards” is a masterclass in game design that proves indie developers can deliver experiences that rival, and in some cases surpass, those of larger studios. It’s a game that challenges players to think strategically, manage resources wisely, and survive against the odds—all while navigating a beautifully crafted, comic book-inspired world filled with danger, humor, and intrigue. If you’re looking for a game that offers both depth and excitement, with a healthy dose of dark humor, “Void Bastards” should be at the top of your list.