Way back in August 2019 Kalypso Media – they behind the superb Tropico series – announced that gamers would soon be able to take a space walk with the launch of Spacebase Startopia, a brand new space station management sim which would let us reach for the stars. Planned to originally launch in Q3 2020, and then seeing the next October launch date revised for Spring 2021, we’ll be honest to admit that we didn’t expect to be given the opportunity to head into space any time soon. But hey, 2021 is already proving to be a upgrade on that which went before it and now we see Spacebase Startopia arrive on Xbox – albeit in Xbox Game Preview form.
Available to purchase and download this very minute on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S (with full next-gen optimisation promised), Spacebase Startopia in Game Preview should be able to give you a little insight into exactly what to expect a little further down the line. Priced at a cool £44.99, grabbing the game now will effectively see you running the same route as with Tropico 6, taking on the role of a bit of a tester whilst Kalypso and the development team at Realmforge Studios work their magic on finalising the product.
What you are seeing here and now is a game that will throw you into a galactic mix of economic simulation and empire building strategy, all combined with some good old real time strategy and a ton of humour – again much like you’d expect from the likes of Tropico. El Presidente in space, anyone?
The full game will look to flesh things out massively but for now in the early Game Preview days you should be able to get a decent handle on what Spacebase Startopia is able to provide. Expect a career mode, expect some sandbox joy, expect the need for plenty of leadership skills, and expect to be found working through both competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes.
You should however also expect bugs, glitches, and a general ‘unfinished feel’ to Spacebase Startopia, especially in these early days of Game Preview. Again though, much like how Tropico 6 used the system to ensure that the final product was something of brilliance, we’re pinning all hopes on Kalypso doing the same here.
Features include:
- – The 10-mission, fully dubbed single-player Campaign will require all your skills as Commander of the Spacebase Startopia as you strive to create one of the most attractive trade and tourism destinations in the known universe.
- – Each of the three Decks will require your leadership skills, with the Sub Deck containing all of the Rooms vital to survival, while the Fun Deck focuses on your visitors and the flora and fauna found on the Bio Deck provides sufficient Resources for survival as well as a home to the graceful Dryads.
- – Prevail against your competitors, for you are not alone on the Space Station. Sabotage your opponents’ economy or attack them with your Mech Units, conduct trade and beware of Space Pirates eager to board your Station.
- – The dynamic narrator AI “VAL” reacts to your decisions and is always at your side in both word and deed – and the occasional extremely unqualified comment.
- – In addition to the extensive single player Campaign, an individually configurable sandbox mode as well as both a competitive and a cooperative multiplayer mode for up to four players awaits you.
We’ll hopefully have a full preview once we’ve had some hands-on time with Spacebase Startopia on Xbox Series X|S, and will be sure to follow that up with full review once the final game hits. We’ll of course let you know when that is. For now, get over to the Xbox Store, pay up the £44.99 required and prepare to head to space to take a big old galactic punt on Spacebase Startopia.
Game Description:
This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. This Game Preview is incomplete and includes only parts of the features of the final version. The features included may change over the course of the Game Preview. The content listed on this page refers to the final version of the game. Information about available updates and the content of the Game Preview will be available in the game’s official Club. “Help, we’re all going to d… Wha… Oh, excuse me, it seems my system is no longer up-to-date – [old memory status deleted] – so, much better… WELCOME to the Spacebase Startopia! I’m VAL, your helpful and efficient Space Station AI! According to my records, this Station hasn’t been used at all in the last 17 years! How very strange. Furthermore, it would appear that you are the only rational life form in this Sector. Well then, CONGRATULATIONS! I hereby officially pronounce you Commander of this Space Station! Hopefully you will enjoy more success than your predecessor who, according to the logbook, er… ran into some wormlike Aliens… Oh, nothing to worry about! To keep the same thing from happening to you, there’s a lot you’re going to have to do. Amongst others, there’s the development of further Sectors, maintenance of the three vital Main Decks as well as the customer acquisition and entertainment of our extraterrestrial visitors, who provide us with sufficient Energy for our plans for global improvement. Oh, and before I forget – it’s probably just a bug in my security protocols anyway – but my sensors are showing just loads of enemy creatures in all of the other Sectors… So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get to work! Let us join forces to conquer space.” SPACEBASE STARTOPIA captivates with its original mixture of economic simulation and empire building strategy paired with classic RTS skirmishes and a good dose of humor. In addition to the challenging single player Campaign and the versatile battle mode, there are also competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes for up to four players. And as if maintaining the three Space Station Decks, entertaining the eight Alien races and defending against enemy invaders were not enough of a challenge, the dynamic narrator AI is not going to mince matters and commentates the events in a lovely but sharp-tongued manner.
