Gratuitous Space Battles Preview

Gratuitous Space Battles by Positech Games is OUT NOW!

If Ascendancy, Starcom II, Dune II, Starcraft and Command & Conquer mean anything to you, then Gratuitous Space Battles (GSB) from Positech Games is probably a game to start getting excited about. GSB, like Positech’s other offerings, is a deeply strategic game about space ships blowing each other to bits. The gameplay focuses on designing ships, created their formations, giving them orders, and then watching the battle ensue with plenty of eye candy.

Action fanatics will love watching the visceral battles, but may be a little miffed that they cannot make any real time decisions, but strategy fans will quickly become deeply involved in tweaking every aspect of their ship and formation to earn more honor and unlock new ship parts.

The first attempt at defeating an enemy is usually a crapshoot since you only know the enemy’s formation and ship types – not their weapons and defensive abilities. This is where the strategy really comes in; watching a space battle is not just about the explosions and special effects show, it is important that player’s pay attention and learn from everything that is going on. Figuring out why you’re getting your ass kicked is crucial to altering your strategy so that you get a victorious outcome.

The game is definitely one to check out. If you don’t have total ADD, you’ll quickly become engaged in one of the game’s aspects. The game is already highly polished and balanced in beta form and well worth the admission price. I cannot express how thoroughly impressed I am with the battle sequences, they are simply riveting and remind me of something out of Battlestar Galactica (the new one not the old one) or the new Star Trek movie. Strategy games aren’t my thing, but I enjoyed designing some badass ships and plodded through setting up my ship formations in order to see shit blow up. Trial and Error has never been this much fun.

GSB goes on sale today for $22.99.