Spacecom Review

Spacecom describes itself as a strategic-to-the-bone, starfleet command game in which deception and smart movement are heavily rewarded. Developed by Flow Combine, and published by 11 bit launchpad, Spacecom was released September 17th on Steam.

Spacecom is a minimalistic game by design. Flow Combine has reduced complicated systems down to their core elements of move, attack, defense, and build. What we’re left with is a lightweight and heavily tactical combat game that rewards and strategy and bravery.

Games consist of battles against up to 5 opponents, where players must gain control over different sectors of the map. Three different types of ships are available for players to build, each with their own unique main function. Battle Fleets launch initial planet strikes and battle other ships, Invasion Fleets capture planets once they’ve been weakened, and Siege Fleets destroy planets to render sectors uncapturable by anyone. Planets may be upgraded to provide a moderate level of defense against future attacks.

Spacecom at its core is relatively simple, it’s possible that players have experienced games of this style before as elements of Spacecom are popular on mobile devices. What sets Spacecom apart from the competition is the vicious multiplayer battles that await those brave enough to venture online. While the campaign missions and skirmishes against the AI will provide most players with an enjoyable challenge, the real Spacecom experience rests in the highly competitive multiplayer lobbies.

After going head to head with the AI for a while, we sat down for some serious space battles against some living opponents. Where the AI is somewhat predictable, real opponents are an entirely different story. My multiplayer opponents were daredevils, kamikaze pilots hellbent on rendering my precious supply lines unusable and undefendable. In 6 player multiplayer combat, battles are happening on all sides of the your base, usually at the same time. Managing resources, defending already captured territory, and capitalizing on your opponent’s weaknesses all seem to happen at an even quicker pace when you’re up against live opponents.

By streamlining the overly complex systems normally found in multiplayer space combat games, Flow Combine has created a game that plays in a very cerebral way. It’s as if they took the best of what makes Civilization so great, and condensed it all down into a much easier to understand package. Don’t let the word Civilization scare you away from Spacecom though, matches don’t last nearly as long as those 12 hour marathon Civ games that you’ve sacrificed so much sleep for.

Spacecom Review Peter Downey November 23, 2014 7 10

Summary: Highly strategic gameplay and vicious multiplayer battles make Spacecom an a challenging experience for gamers of all ages.