Info about Space Crew: Legendary Edition:

Official game description:
This is Space Crew: Legendary Edition. The legendarily challenging single-player strategic survival simulation game!  
You are a captain in the United Defense Force, captain of your own star ship. Recruit your crew, customise your ship and head out to explore the galaxy, defending Earth against the mysterious extraterrestrial threat, known as the Phasmids! There will be challenges ahead. Crew members will be lost. Dangerous missions must be undertaken. Galactic Legends will be made!  
Travel through the galaxy to defeat the threat to humankind across a range of sorties, including reconnaissance, bounty hunts, reclamation and NEW Away Team missions. Train your crew into an elite fighting force from Captain to Comms Officer to tackle stressful and deadly situations such as fighter attack and ship invasions, whilst also repairing systems and putting out the odd fire or two! Customise and upgrade your spaceship with improved weapons, armour, engines and more (even a custom paint job for extra style!)
**Android Ambush**
------------------
Android Ambush is a brand-new campaign to add to the core Space Crew adventure. Take on a droid army led by rogue androids, previously allied with the United Defence Force! Battle against a whole host of new Enemy Champions and ships across a new star system with new gear, liveries and upgrades available for victorious Captains to unlock. However, these androids don’t play by the same rules as the phasmids, so you’ll have to re-write your tactics from scratch.
**Away Team Missions**
----------------------
Leave your ship and venture on foot with three of your crew onto outposts and large vessels in the all NEW Away Team missions, discoverable across both Space Crew campaigns. Selecting the right team will be critical for survival as Away Team missions can consist of exploration, puzzles, or combat… sometimes even against the clock!
**Legendary Crew Members**
--------------------------
A Legendary Edition needs legendary crew! Build and personalise your ultimate crew by rescuing and discovering legendary crew members with amazing abilities and superior stats. However, you won’t just be able to recruit these one-of-a-kind crew members, you’ll have to find them during rescue and Away Team missions or unlock them using codes from community competitions.

Release date: Oct 15, 2020

Categories: Crew Management, Space Combat, Resource Management, Ship Customization, Survival, Strategic Planning, Real-time Simulation, On-foot Exploration


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.00 - $16.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly compare the game to FTL and Bomber Crew and treat $16 as an acceptable full-price ceiling. At the same time, several reviewers explicitly say the game is better purchased on sale at roughly half price, and one translated review calls the current price cheap enough to recommend. This suggests the community fair base-game range sits below the current $15.99 full price but still reaches it for buyers who find the content worthwhile, with a practical lower bound around the common half-price sale point.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: 25.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: 5.0h
  - Reasoning: The Legendary-version quote directly supports story/campaign completion at about 25 hours for both campaigns. A separate completion quote gives 14 hours for one campaign plus achievements, which corroborates the per-campaign length. The 30-hour total-seen quote supports full game completion and, when compared with the 25-hour two-campaign figure, implies roughly 5 hours of post-campaign/endgame content. The thirty-minutes-to-an-hour quote supports a typical session length of about 1 hour. Estimates are approximate because reviews vary.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Space Crew is commonly described as fun or okay initially, then turning repetitive and tedious after a while, with cited drop-offs after the first 6 missions or the 7 hour mark. A minority reports getting more hooked over time or facing early grind before upgrades, so the dominant profile is fun then drops.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Early grind for EXP, research points, and money.; First few hours stuck with a few boring default mission types until ship and crew upgrades.; Steep learning curve and a misleading tutorial.; Micromanagement and awkward controls.; Long wave-based combat sectors within missions.; Early game can feel brutal.
  - Unlock drivers: Advancing the story to unlock new mission access.; Upgrading ship and crew enough to move on from default missions.; Building and upgrading the ship can become genuinely addictive.; Choosing Safe routes over Fast routes until mid-game gear.; Unlocking more skills, weapons, and upgrades.
  - Conditions: Prior Bomber Crew experience helps players start without the tutorial.; The tutorial can teach important things and make the game a cakewalk.; Choosing Safe versus Fast routes affects early-game difficulty.; Early grinding is needed for EXP, research points, and money.; Unlocking all upgrades before halfway through the campaign can make it boring.; Slowing progression from midgame can make the game feel dull.; Tolerance for repetitive missions affects how long fun lasts.
- Player Archetypes:
  - Bomber Crew Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To continue and compare the crew-management sequel against the Bomber Crew game they already love.
    - Playstyle: Methodical mission play with crew leveling, directly comparing new systems and difficulty against the predecessor.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: veteran Bomber Crew player; Bomber Crew veteran
    - Reference games: Bomber Crew
  - FTL-Style Crew-Management Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: The tension of organizing and managing a crew and ship systems under combat pressure.
    - Playstyle: Multitasking crew assignments and resource management during chaotic firefights.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: FTL; Bomber Command
  - Grind-Weary Progression Optimizer (sale)
    - Motivation: Advancing through ship upgrades, research, and crew and pilot progression.
    - Playstyle: Repeating easy missions to farm EXP, research points, and money, then spending it on upgrades.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Casual Difficulty-Tuning Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: A forgiving, accessible entry into the crew-management genre that can be tuned to their comfort.
    - Playstyle: Short, low-pressure sessions on casual mode with difficulty settings adjusted to reduce frustration.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Generally positive reception (weight 0.32): Many describe the game as good, beautiful, interesting, enjoyable, and perfectly OK. It is a quality game that satisfies players.
- Improves on Bomber Crew (weight 0.23): Reviewers consistently say the game expands on Bomber Crew with substantial improvements, more polish, and quality-of-life enhancements. It is seen as a worthy spiritual successor that fixes issues like long flight times.
- Targeting and difficulty options (weight 0.15): Auto-targeting can be enabled from the start and adjusted in settings, making the game less frustrating. Multiple difficulty settings are freely selectable and provide vast customization.
- Spaceship and crew management (weight 0.11): The core feature is managing a whole crew on a spaceship, making players feel like a captain in charge of every detail.
- Amazing game with potential (weight 0.11): The game has the bones of an amazing game and a lot of potential, with great gameplay.
- Fair pricing and value (weight 0.09): The price is considered fair for what you get, worth the low price, and pretty good for its price point.
- Fun tactical space simulation (weight 0.07): It delivers a fun, engaging space battle simulator that is really fun and tactical.
- New and improved mechanics (weight 0.07): New mechanics include recharging energy shields, reactor power management, and enemy boarding parties. Improved mechanics such as enemy boarding, energy distribution, and repairs are highlighted.
- Addictive ship building and upgrades (weight 0.07): Slowly building up your ship and adding attachments to your crew is genuinely addictive and amazing.
- Good basic idea and gameplay (weight 0.07): The underlying idea and gameplay are awesome, providing a solid foundation.
- Developers care about feedback (weight 0.07): The developers read feedback and actually care, which is appreciated by players.
- Passion and tight experience (weight 0.06): A lot of love and effort went into the game, resulting in a tight experience that players appreciate.
- Legendary Edition adds content (weight 0.06): The Legendary Edition includes additional content, improvements, new features, and a free second campaign.
- Loved graphics style (weight 0.06): Players love the graphics style of the game.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive and grindy missions (weight 0.51): Players frequently note that mission structure becomes repetitive after a few hours, with limited variety and a grindy loop. Many mention that after completing a few missions, only repetitive tasks remain, making the game quickly boring.
- Inferior to Bomber Crew (weight 0.35): Numerous reviews compare the game unfavorably to Bomber Crew, stating it is less fun, lacks depth, and feels like a cheap knock-off. Some even call it a bad reskin or asset flip of Bomber Crew.
- Lack of ship customization (weight 0.23): Players complain that there is only one spaceship model available and it cannot be modified in any real way. Customization is limited to colors and decals, and you cannot change to another ship.
- Horrible controls and UI (weight 0.19): Many find the controls clunky, awkward, and horrible, with some noting they cannot be changed. The UI is also criticized as part of the problem.
- Enemy boarding issues (weight 0.19): Enemies can board the ship too easily, and there is no door lock or turret at the cargo hold entrance to stop them. This leads to overwhelming situations with numerous enemies.
- Shallow and boring gameplay (weight 0.15): The gameplay is described as boring, dull, and lacking any depth whatsoever. Some say the actual play experience is extremely poor.
- Tedious micromanagement (weight 0.11): The game is heavy on micromanagement, with crew members requiring manual control for all actions. This adds to the tedium and lack of automation.
- Weapons lack variety (weight 0.11): Weapon types are not intuitive, and there is little difference between them besides text and damage numbers. Players feel weapons are too similar.
- Progression is tediously slow (weight 0.06): Progression is described as tedious and slow, making the game feel like a grind. This contributes to the overall repetitive feel.
- Crew composition not customizable (weight 0.06): Changing crew composition is impossible; the game enforces a fixed setup of 1 captain, 1 comms, 1 engineer, 1 security, and 2 gunners. This limits strategic flexibility.
- Space combat is lackluster (weight 0.06): Space battles and boarding combat are described as passive, boring, and lacking. The combat does not feel engaging or exciting.
- Not worth the price (weight 0.06): Players feel the content is lacking for the asking price, making the game not worth the money. This is a common complaint among reviewers.
- Limited route variation (weight 0.06): Safe and fastest routes differ only by the number of enemies or star gate jumps. This lack of meaningful choice adds to the repetitive feel.
- Lacks wartime tension (weight 0.06): The game does not capture the feeling of bringing back your bomber on one engine with half your crew bailed out, as in Bomber Crew. It lacks the wartime weight and tension.

Gameplay feedback:
- Crew management in space (weight 0.55): Players manage a spaceship crew, controlling various stations and ensuring the ship remains operational. This core mechanic involves training, equipping, and assigning crew members to roles such as captain, engineer, and gunner.
- Ship and crew progression (weight 0.53): The game features progression systems for both the ship and crew, including upgrades, leveling, and unlocking new abilities and equipment. Players can customize their ship with improved shields, engines, and weapons.
- Space combat with aliens (weight 0.34): Combat involves fighting aliens and androids, often requiring players to defend their ship from boarding parties. Enemies are numerous, agile, and include elite variants.
- Mission variety and structure (weight 0.33): Missions include a range of types such as rescues, dogfights, escort, and exploration, but some players find them repetitive and grindy. Missions are selected from a risk-based system and involve traveling to different locations.
- Crew micro-management during missions (weight 0.22): During missions, players must constantly manage crew by assigning them to stations, using abilities, and handling emergencies like fires and repairs. This involves shuffling crew between turrets and other stations.
- Adjustable difficulty and targeting (weight 0.2): Players can adjust settings for auto-targeting, semi-auto targeting, and difficulty to make the game more accessible. These options include adding a gunner or changing the difficulty level to easy.
- Risk of losing ship (weight 0.18): Players can lose their ship and crew, but the consequences are mitigated by auto-saves and the ability to reload. Losing a ship results in starting with a slightly worse one, but players can rebuild.
- Gameplay depth and complexity (weight 0.15): The game offers depth through strategic elements like power management, shield balancing, and weapon selection. It is easy to learn but challenging to master.
- Crew abilities and support (weight 0.11): Crew members have role-based abilities, such as calling in fighter support or cruiser support, and using overload and shield recharge skills.
- Gate jumping and power mechanics (weight 0.1): Star gates are used for jumping between locations, and power recharge mechanics are part of the navigation and ship management.
- Route choices and obstacles (weight 0.1): Players choose between safest and fastest routes, and space battles may include obstacles.
- Pause and time control (weight 0.06): The game does not have a pause button, but players can hold the CTRL key to slow down time dramatically, aiding in micromanagement during intense moments.
- Black hole event hazard (weight 0.06): A black hole event can pull the ship and crew, potentially destroying the ship if not handled properly.
- Tagging enemies for gunners (weight 0.06): Players can tag enemies to direct gunners to shoot them, aiding in target prioritization during combat.
- Automatic landing system (weight 0.06): Landing gear deploys automatically and cannot be destroyed, simplifying the landing process.

Performance notes:
- Windowed mode missing (weight 0.07): Players report there is no option to play in windowed mode and no setting to enable it. This limits flexibility for users who prefer windowed gameplay.
- Game hangs at mission end (weight 0.04): Some players experience the game hanging or crashing at the end of missions. This disrupts progression and can cause loss of progress.
- Forced fullscreen on startup (weight 0.04): The game forces itself back into fullscreen on startup even when launch options are set. This overrides user preferences and can be frustrating.
- Old launcher removed (weight 0.04): The old launcher that allowed resolution tweaking is no longer available. This removes a previously available customization option.
- No performance issues reported (weight 0.03): One player noted that the game runs without performance problems. This positive feedback contrasts with other technical complaints.

Recommendations:
- Not Recommended in Current State (weight 0.28): Several reviewers explicitly do not recommend the game due to frustration, lack of polish, and unresolved issues. They suggest waiting for patches or avoiding purchase until the game improves.
- Recommended for Bomber Crew Fans (weight 0.24): Many recommend the game specifically to those who enjoyed Bomber Crew or similar titles. Veterans of the series are likely to appreciate the familiar gameplay and style.
- Bomber Crew Preferred Over Space Crew (weight 0.23): Many reviewers recommend playing Bomber Crew or its DLC instead of Space Crew, as they find the predecessor superior in nearly every aspect. These players often suggest skipping Space Crew entirely or only buying it if already exhausted Bomber Crew's content.
- Worth Purchasing on Sale (weight 0.21): A recurring sentiment is that the game is only worth its price when discounted. Reviewers advise waiting for a sale and not paying full price.
- Mixed or Conditional Recommendations (weight 0.18): Some reviewers give conditional recommendations based on specific preferences, such as liking chaos or having limited time. Others are neutral, suggesting players decide for themselves.
- Price Sensitivity and Value (weight 0.17): Many reviewers discuss the game's value, stating it is worth around $10 but not $15, or only worth it at a low price. Some mention buying at specific price points like 8 yuan.
- Positive Recommendation from Some Players (weight 0.17): Despite mixed reviews, some players fully recommend the game, praising its potential and enjoyment. They encourage others to try it and find something to appreciate.
- Overall Mixed to Positive Impressions (weight 0.15): General sentiment is mixed, with some finding the game enjoyable while others are disappointed. Many acknowledge its potential but note significant flaws.
- Repetitive and Lacking Depth (weight 0.14): Critics point out that the game becomes repetitive, lacks mission variety, and has limited narrative depth. This makes it less appealing for those seeking a rich, evolving campaign.
- Adjust Difficulty Settings for Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Multiple reviewers suggest tweaking difficulty settings, such as using semi-automatic mode in the Cantina or adding extra crew, to make the game more playable and enjoyable.
- Comparison to FTL and Similar Games (weight 0.13): Players often compare Space Crew to FTL, recommending it to fans of that game or similar crew management titles. Some consider it a good alternative with more direct ship interaction.
- Uncertain or Contradictory Recommendations (weight 0.12): Some reviewers express uncertainty or give contradictory advice, such as not recommending but still suggesting a try. These opinions are less decisive.
- Suitable for Fans of Strategy and Space Themes (weight 0.08): Reviewers note the game appeals to fans of strategy, space themes, and team management. It is particularly enjoyable for those who like sci-fi and ship aesthetics.
- Appeals to Specific Niche Audiences (weight 0.08): The game may appeal to niche groups such as children, pew-pew lovers, or those tired of other space simulators. These recommendations are highly specific and not universal.
- Avoid for Certain Preferences (weight 0.08): Players who dislike repetitive games or prefer deep narratives are advised to avoid. The game is not suited for those seeking constant variety or rich storytelling.
- Modding and Patience Recommended (weight 0.07): A few reviewers suggest looking into modding and waiting for patches to enhance the game. They see potential for improvement over time.
- Low Price with Caveats (weight 0.07): Some recommend buying only at very low prices, such as under $5 or in a bundle, due to limited content or quality concerns.
- Good for Portable or Budget Play (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for portable play or as a budget title for short breaks, though not as a primary PC experience. It suits casual or limited-time gaming sessions.
- Input Method Preferences (weight 0.05): Some players find that a wireless keyboard and mouse or a gamepad improves the experience. Preferences vary, but certain setups are considered better for control.

Other player notes:
- Unfavorable Bomber Crew comparisons (weight 0.33): Many reviewers compare the game unfavorably to Bomber Crew, calling it worse, less enjoyable, or a cheap knock-off with less depth. They feel it falls short of Bomber Crew's high standards and lacks originality.
- Similar to Bomber Crew (weight 0.26): Multiple reviewers note the game is comparable or similar to Bomber Crew, with some saying it is a little less difficult and more polished. Others describe it as a successor with similar mechanics.
- Unfavorable FTL comparisons (weight 0.14): Some reviewers compare the game to FTL, stating FTL is a better version, or that the game lacks FTL's smoothness, polish, and fun. They feel it falls short of FTL's heights.
- Described as Bomber Crew reskin (weight 0.11): Some reviewers call the game a reskin or asset flip of Bomber Crew, with one calling it a 'BomberCrew victim'. This suggests a lack of original content.
- Improvements over Bomber Crew (weight 0.11): A few reviewers say the game takes elements from Bomber Crew and improves upon them, expanding on the formula with quality of life enhancements. They see it as a polished evolution.
- Sequel to Bomber Crew (weight 0.11): Several reviewers describe the game as an ambitious and well-done sequel to Bomber Crew, or a follow-up that serves as a sort-of prequel. It is recognized as a direct successor.
- Developed by Runner Duck (weight 0.1): The game is developed by Runner Duck, the same developers behind Bomber Crew. It is made on the same engine by the same people.
- Bomber Crew in space (weight 0.09): Some describe the game as Bomber Crew in space, with a Star Wars theme and more complexity. It is seen as a harder, space-set successor.
- Less challenging than Bomber Crew (weight 0.09): Some reviewers find the game more simple and less challenging than Bomber Crew, with fewer upgrades and longer missions. They feel Bomber Crew was easier and better to play.
- FTL as inspiration (weight 0.08): A few reviewers note FTL as an inspiration for the game, citing similar feel but with more mechanics. This highlights FTL's influence on the design.
- Free giveaways (weight 0.07): Multiple reviewers mention that the game was given away for free at some point. This is a notable distribution detail.
- Game abandoned by developers (weight 0.07): Some reviewers state the game has been abandoned by the developers for over 7 months. This indicates a lack of ongoing support.
- Legendary Edition content (weight 0.06): The Legendary Edition adds additional content, improvements, new features, and a second campaign. This edition offers more value.
- Lightweight compared to predecessor (weight 0.06): Described as a lightweight upgrade or downgrade compared to Bomber Crew, or a fairly lightweight game. It suggests the game is not a major leap forward.
- Campaign completion time (weight 0.06): Reviewers report that completing the campaign and obtaining all achievements takes around 14 hours, or about one week. This gives an idea of the game's length.
- Star Trek inspiration (weight 0.06): The game is compared to Star Trek type games and described as a salute to Star Trek. This highlights its thematic inspiration.
- DLC included by default (weight 0.06): The game comes with its DLC by default, though some note it currently has no DLC. This may refer to different editions or updates.
- Achievements available (weight 0.05): The game has achievements to earn. This is a standard feature noted by some reviewers.
- Realistic gameplay in space games (weight 0.05): Compared to other space games, this one is noted for lacking realistic gameplay, though some say it is realistic compared to others. Opinions vary on its realism.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.21): Players experience frustration due to poor crew AI that ignores emergencies like fires, unreliable gunners who frequently miss shots, and clunky, unresponsive controls that require excessive micromanagement. The steep difficulty curve, bugs causing soft-locks or lost progress, and tedious grinding further compound the irritation.
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Disappointment stems from the game feeling like a shallow, repetitive copy of Bomber Crew, lacking its charm, depth, and tension. Missing features like multiplayer, meaningful customization, and varied missions, along with game-breaking bugs, leave players let down.
- Boredom (weight 0.11): Boredom arises from highly repetitive mission structures, shallow gameplay loops where the game often plays itself, and long, grindy combat with little variation. Manual scanning and waiting for cooldowns contribute to a tedious experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Players enjoy the accessible and fun early gameplay, the mix of tactics and real-time action, and the satisfying loop of building up the ship and crew. The chaotic management and crew leveling provide engaging moments despite some flaws.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction comes from successfully managing the crew and ship under pressure, seeing the team grow stronger, and overcoming difficult challenges without losses. Improvements over Bomber Crew and responsive developer updates also contribute.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement is driven by the fast-paced, chaotic space combat, the feeling of commanding a ship and crew, and the deep customization options. Missions that can turn from great to nightmarish in seconds keep players on edge.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance is caused by frequent enemy boarding, slow and repetitive combat, and inconvenient camera controls. Minor issues like reactor settings not saving and confusing interface elements add to the irritation.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger results from brutal enemy boarding that wipes out the crew, extreme punishment for experimenting with weapons, and an ending that forces the destruction of the ship and crew. Poor tutorial design and artificial difficulty exacerbate the frustration.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.02): Dissatisfaction stems from insufficient customization, poor controls, and a shallow progression system that feels like a step back from Bomber Crew. The game's limited content and asset-flip appearance leave players unimpressed.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is expressed for the game's visual style, atmosphere, and difficulty adjustment options, as well as the careful localization and bug-free release. The formula still works and compensates for the effort required.
- Relief (weight 0.02): Relief is found when players adjust difficulty settings or discover automation features that reduce frustration, such as automatic targeting and updates that make the game more manageable. The grind becomes less daunting when research is accumulated rather than spent.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is fueled by new features like extra crewmembers and image uploading, as well as improvements over Bomber Crew with radiation, boarding, and hacking systems. The space setting and added complexity generate excitement.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement comes from chasing upgrades, completing the story, and experiencing chaotic but well-balanced alien encounters that keep players invested in the atmosphere.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is expressed by players who did not find the game fun and consider it worse than Bomber Crew, feeling that it simply did not appeal to them.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise arises from gameplay having more depth than expected and exceeding initial expectations, though many complaints about excessive difficulty also caught players off guard.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion is caused by unclear command post icons, a scan status bar that does not decrease, and overwhelming visual chaos with many buttons and crew running around. The point of increased difficulty and weapon variety also puzzles players.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is inspired by the dynamic missions, sci-fi elements, and addictive pew-pew combat with sci-fi ships. The visuals and complete experience contribute to strong affection for the game.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement comes from the game's humorous tone about fighting spirit and cursing alien scum, as well as quirky design choices like four gun turret positions staffed by only two gunners. The game is found very funny and entertaining.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed through looking forward to more content from the developer and confidence that difficulty issues will be fixed. The game has potential for fans of the genre.
- Tension (weight 0.01): Tension is created by each mission becoming a tense and unpredictable operation, with difficulty testing nerves and the risk of losing high-level crew members adding constant pressure.}