Space for Sale is an inventive blend of simulation and strategy, putting players in the unusual role of a space realtor tasked with converting alien planets into appealing real estate for a motley crew of eccentric alien clients. Developed by Mirage Game Studios and published by THQ Nordic, this Early Access game introduces a unique twist to the sandbox genre, combining elements of exploration, crafting, building, and survival to create a thoroughly engaging experience.
At its core, Space for Sale is about exploration and adaptation. You’re dropped into a procedurally generated universe, each planet offering a unique set of challenges—ranging from hostile wildlife to unpredictable weather patterns. Your primary mission is to transform these alien landscapes into livable, attractive properties that cater to the whims of your varied and often quirky clientele. Whether you choose to take on these challenges solo or with friends in cooperative multiplayer, the game offers a rich and immersive experience.
The gameplay in Space for Sale is multi-faceted and rich, designed to keep players engaged as they navigate through the game’s various challenges. Players must explore procedurally generated planets, discovering resources, uncovering secrets, and getting to know the local flora and fauna. Each planet is distinct, featuring unique biomes, creatures, and environmental challenges, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.
Exploration is more than just gathering resources—it’s about understanding the alien ecosystems you encounter. By studying the local environment, you can figure out how to manipulate or preserve it to meet your clients’ needs. The planets are filled with various resources scattered across their surfaces, which are crucial for crafting the tools and materials needed for building and infrastructure projects. Resource management becomes key, as you must balance the immediate needs of current projects with the potential demands of future clients.
The crafting system in Space for Sale is both deep and flexible, allowing players to create a wide array of tools and devices to aid in their real estate endeavors. Whether it’s basic tools like hammers and saws or more advanced gadgets like drones and terraforming devices, the system provides the flexibility to approach challenges in your preferred style. Building, too, is a crucial component—players must design and construct homes and facilities that meet the specific needs and desires of their alien clients. This demands not only creativity but also strategic thinking, as client requirements can be quite varied and sometimes bizarre.
The alien clients in Space for Sale are a colorful and diverse group, each with their own set of preferences, needs, and quirks. Satisfying these clients involves more than just constructing a building; players must also ensure that the surrounding environment is suitable. Factors such as temperature, terrain, and local wildlife must be taken into account to create a habitable and attractive property. Successfully satisfying clients is rewarded with in-game currency and reputation, which can be used to unlock new tools, technologies, and even more planets to explore.
One of the standout features of Space for Sale is its procedurally generated worlds, ensuring that each planet you visit is unique, with its own set of biomes, resources, and challenges. This procedural generation keeps the game fresh and highly replayable, as players will never encounter the same planet twice. It also adds a layer of unpredictability, forcing players to adapt their strategies to the specific conditions of each new planet.
These planets are teeming with life, both flora and fauna, some of which can be helpful while others might pose significant threats. Understanding the behavior and characteristics of local wildlife is crucial for survival and for successful real estate development. For instance, some plants might provide essential resources, while others might be toxic and need to be carefully managed or removed.
For those who prefer a more social gaming experience, Space for Sale offers a cooperative multiplayer mode that allows players to team up with friends. In co-op mode, players can share resources, collaborate on building projects, and strategize on how best to meet their clients’ needs. This mode not only adds a social element to the game but also makes tackling some of the more difficult challenges posed by alien environments more manageable. The co-op mode is designed to be seamless, allowing players to join and leave each other’s games without disrupting progress. This flexibility makes it ideal for players who want to experience the game’s challenges with friends or simply prefer a more collaborative approach to gameplay.
Space for Sale is currently in Early Access, meaning it’s still in active development. While the core gameplay mechanics are in place, the content is somewhat limited, with only a small number of planets, biomes, and client types available at this stage. However, the developers have outlined a clear roadmap for future development. Plans include introducing more planets, a wider variety of biomes, additional alien species, and more diverse client types.
Space for Sale is visually striking, featuring a distinctive and colorful art style that sets it apart from other games in the genre. The game’s visuals are vibrant and cartoonish, presented from a top-down perspective that makes it easy to navigate and manage the environments. The art style isn’t just for show—it also serves a functional purpose, as the clear and bright visuals make it easier to identify resources, monitor environmental conditions, and spot potential threats. The game’s quirky tone is reflected in the design of its alien creatures and clients, who are often exaggerated and humorous in appearance. This lighthearted approach helps to create a fun and engaging atmosphere, making the game accessible to players of all ages.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Space for Sale is a promising and innovative entry in the simulation and strategy genre. Its blend of exploration, crafting, building, and survival offers a fresh take on sandbox-style gameplay, set against a vibrant and quirky alien universe. While the game is still in Early Access and has room for growth, its potential is evident, and its community-driven development approach bodes well for its future. Space for Sale is definitely worth exploring for players who enjoy games that offer creativity, strategic thinking, and the opportunity to shape the game world. Whether you tackle the challenges of space real estate development alone or with friends in co-op mode, the game promises a unique and engaging experience that will only improve as it continues to evolve.
