Rebel Galaxy

The right balance of simple and complex, open world and confined space. This is your "I want a space sim, but not take a lease on second life doing it".

The first time I played this game I was put off by the broadside style "2D" approach to space flight (apparently like Assassin's Creed 4 in space). Now that I am used to it I actually think it is a very effective approach especially for someone like me who is using mouse and keyboard and no HOTAS or controller. The story is solid, I really like the graphics and sound - having the ability to set music folders for intro, cruising, on the station and combat adds a lot but the space cowboy sounds in the default soundtrack work - especially to magnify the Firefly feels of surviving on the ragged edge of space civilisation. The variety of approaches you can take in the game is great - exploring, scavenging, mining, trading, piracy, pirate hunting, smuggling but my favourite approach in the mid game is to get a Barracuda or Icarus (fastest and most manoeuvrable ships) and hard burn into a dead drop, pick up the cargo and warp out before the unfriendlies can lock me down. If you want to take your time you can use whatever approach you like to build up your credits until you have a ship that can take on everything the late game throws at you. Maybe you spec for ramming the enemies and using rapid fire low range, low accuracy broadsides or use a completely different ship and load out for kiting around the enemies and picking off those foolish enough to approach you and enter the long range of your lasers or missiles. If you want to race through the core story missions, you only need to learn a few tricks to recognise the most valuable mining spots from zooming in and out on the system map and you can make enough money to race through the early parts of the game and start taking on high paying optional quests pretty quickly without having to grind low paying side quests. This will probably make finishing the story take about 15 to 20 hours. There is some scope to continue post story play to make enough to fly a massive dreadnaught fully kitted out with Mk 6 gear bristling from all hard points or to try and nab some exotic weapons only available from hunting pirate lords, fighting alien vessels or very lucky salvage from debris fields. Chances are you might want to play again though because there is pretty decent replayability - the system maps and galaxy map will be different and you can try a totally different approach on your next run - help the Militia to rescue citizens, miners and traders from marauding gangs, stay neutral and work for the Merchants' Guild, take whatever pays the most as a member of the Mercenaries Guild - you can even go full pirate and ally with the Red Devils and Double Jack bandits. The game let's you play your way and though there is no artificial moral system tracking your every move, you actually feel the weight of your decisions. You can play as the law abiding, justice bringing hero in a white hat or feel like a ruthless cutthroat or a self-serving pragmatist as you blow up harmless ships and loot their floating wrecks or ignore desperate pleas for help and fly right by as raiders do the same. You are not the only one who reacts to your choices though as you gain reputations with the various factions - it might take some doing to get back to speaking terms with any alliance you tick off enough to make hostile. The game can be a chilled out stroll through a vividly coloured nebulae strewn galaxy or action packed gladiatorial assault with brief interludes to stop at stations for repairs. You can control the level of challenge by paying attention to the threat level announced by your on board computer and having the wisdom to cut and run rather than taste the void. Rebel Galaxy isn't punishing though restarting you from the last time you landed in a space station and respecs of ships and equipment cost nothing as all items sell for their cost price - just don't get blown up after a long mining run or accidentally sell any rare exotic weapons. Of all games I have paid full price for, Rebel Galaxy is the best value and I am glad I have it. Just go into it with an open mind and reasonable expectations for a two person dev team and you will be in for a treat.

I was terrible at space combat, so I traded for 20 hours, saved up and bought a dreadnaught class ship that had 18 turrets and more broadside cannons than I can count. It's bigger than the space stations.
Now I am the space overlord. 10/10

Piracy in space. Well made game and definitely an impressive soundtrack. Very smooth gameplay and no FPS drops. The graphics are also good. Unfortunately, there are millions of games like this and it's no different from all the others. If you expect something more you will be disappointed. I recommend it with the discount 6/10 my rating

After 30 hours, after I've purchased my favorite ship and upgraded her to my favorite loadout with Mk 6 equipment and with the story finished. I can say I love this game, if you don't like repetition it's not for you. But if you like a chill, little to no punishment for dying, 2D space broadside combat game that still holds up 20 hours later, (Screw you IGN). Then it's for you.
This game consists of mostly repetitive activities and missions that's held up by the amazing OST and fun combat, you could pirate merchants or help them against other pirates, then pirate them afterwards. You can join the pirates or join the local militia, or have everyone hate you. A solid but not grandiose story still made me satisfied at the end. With a wide selection of ships, and how powerful equipment can get you still have freedom with what ship you choose, even in the endgame. Not every ship though- You have to say goodbye to the starter ship someday.
Though one thing, I wish I could buy an actual tankard at the bar.

The creators of No mans sky could have learned a fair bit from the designers of Rebel Galaxy back when this came out…
A true hidden gem. I find myself always returning to this game when I just wanna chill out to an awesome in game soundtrack and a great blast em up game to feel dominant and like real bad ass man. It really perks up my masculinity.
I really enjoyed RG for what it was, which was basically "Hey you remember those old games Taipan or Drug Wars? Well here you go... Pirate ship style, but in SPACE!"
I was apprehensive about it at first and picked it up with intentions of refunding it if it was shit, but I couldn’t put the damn thing down and I kept thinking about playing while at work or even when going to sleep, for me that is a sign of a good game.
As for the game, it is a bit hard to nail down what it is exactly, but really the closest thing is Black Flag, in space, with the running around bits removed completely. The game consists mostly of doing various missions, upgrading your ship and selling goods from place to place for a profit. Oh, and a lot of combat, as much or as little as you want really, but for me it has been a lot.
I liked the soundtrack a lot. I liked the art style. I liked the look and feel and sense of humor. It’s got a level of immersiveness and engagement that a lot of spaces games lack. The galaxy in Rebel Galaxy has more personality and more appeal to it than games like this usually do.
The combat is quite fun and strikes a nice balance between dog fighting and grindy EVE style combat. Most of the missions involve combat in one form or another. It’s really hard to get away from that in this game. I don't mind because its my preferred playstyle, but I do feel like a player who wanted more of a trading based game might be disappointed. The trading and economy things in the game seem rudimentary and underdeveloped compared to the combat aspects.
Its a great value buy at 20 bucks. Very enjoyable single player campaign. Was a good buy for me and I definitely recommend it to fans of the genre.

This game is so much fun!! it's simple, straightforward, and enjoyable.. the type of space game you didn't think you would need but once you have it, you can't go back, it's affordable too... get it !!!