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.

SPACECOM tasks players with defending and expanding their territory, all while trying to defeat 5 other players in a duel to the death. SPACECOM features a short single player campaign that also functions as the tutorial. In addition, players may battle against AI opponents in Skirmish mode. The real meat of the game, though, is in SPACECOM‘s Multiplayer mode. Players face off against 5 other opponents, battling against all odds to rule the galaxy.

Rather than dumping all of their resources into creating a game with the most cutting edge graphics around, Flow Combine has stripped down the game to its bare components. The game is decidedly minimalist, though not much as something like rymdkapsel. The beauty in the minimalistic design is that by removing the pomp and flash, SPACECOM‘s focus on deep strategic gameplay is on full display at all times.

Flow Combine has taken a gameplay concept that has been quite popular on smartphones in recent years and expanded upon the basic idea, creating a simple yet highly strategic game. Initially, players start out with a few planets and ships. Each planet may be retrofitted with 3 possible upgrades that enhance its ability to withstand invasions. Planets are categorized as one of 4 different hub types. Some hubs act as mines that provide resources to your empire, others build or repair your fleet of spaceships.

By strategically capturing different planets players can expand their reach in the galaxy and create virtual choke points that block other players from invading deep into your territory. Players have access to 3 different types of ships. Battle, Invasion, and Siege units may used at the players discretion to both attack and defend. Battleships help to offer defense and initiate planetary attacks, Invasion ships act as a planetary strike force to capture the planet, and Siege ships can be utilized to destroy the planet and devalue its worth for your opponents.

How exactly to conquer the galaxy is entirely up to the player, although winning the game will require strategic thinking and a lot of multitasking. Despite not openly displaying damage numbers and other such calculations, SPACECOM still manages to have an air of simulation behind the gameplay. Instead of luck, players will need to depend on their thinking skills to succeed in this corner of space.

With its focus on high strategy, SPACECOM‘s gameplay was impressively addictive. With its launch just about a week away, players will need to wait a bit longer until they can get their hands on the game.

Spacecom is a strategic-to-the-bone starfleet-command game with a heavy focus on multiplayer. Using three types of fleets (siege, invade, battle) and four types of planetary systems (hubs, shipyards, repair yards and supply systems) command your armies to dominate in the galaxy. Capture enemy hubs using proven maneuvers learned from military legends (blitzkrieg, burnt-ground, cut supply lines, outflanking) or devise your own plans. Exalt smart thinking over fast clicking in galaxies with up to six players in MP mode.

Check out the video above to get all of the important details about the game, presented by producer Marek Ziemak.

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