ZeroSpace Review Summary

A fun and addictive RTS with promising co-op Galactic War gameplay, but bugs, clunky UI, and a steep price hold it back.

Galactic War co-op praised: The Galactic War co-op mode is highly praised, often compared to StarCraft 2 co-op, with meta-progression, faction warfare, and a large battlefield feel that adds purpose and replayability.

Promising RTS experience: Reviewers consider the game a promising and fresh RTS, with solid mechanics, unique factions, and the potential to become a sustainable franchise in the genre.

Game is fun and addictive: Players consistently describe the game as fun, satisfying, and addictive, with a strong core gameplay loop that is easy to grasp and engaging.

Strong potential and foundation: Many players note the game's strong foundation and potential, with good concepts and the right bones to grow into a great RTS.

Campaign exceeds expectations: The campaign is well-received, described as well-made, high quality, and better than expected, with interesting characters and an enjoyable direction.

Game has many bugs: The game is reported to have numerous bugs, ranging from minor issues to game-breaking problems. This is the most frequently mentioned issue, indicating a significant impact on player experience.

UI needs improvement: The user interface is widely criticized as ugly, unintuitive, and unfinished. Many players find it difficult to read and navigate, which detracts from the overall experience.

Game lacks polish: The game is described as rough, raw, and severely unpolished, especially for an Early Access title. Players expect more refinement in terms of gameplay, presentation, and overall quality.

Price is too high: Many players feel the game's price is steep and not justified by the current state of the game. The cost is often compared unfavorably to the amount of content and quality provided.

Campaign is incomplete: The campaign mode is not fully developed, with missing dialogues, unfinished missions, and a general sense of being a work in progress. This leaves players feeling the game is not complete.

Galactic War co-op mode: The most frequently mentioned feature is a Galactic War co-op mode where players choose from three factions and capture planets across a galaxy map. It supports PvE missions with AI or other players and includes progression and meta systems.

Multiple game modes: Players highlight the variety of modes including campaign, co-op, PvP, and survival. The game offers both PvE and PvP experiences, catering to different playstyles.

Classic RTS gameplay: The game is consistently described as a real-time strategy game, often compared to classic titles like StarCraft. It features traditional RTS mechanics with multiple factions, missions, and competitive depth.

Diverse factions and mercenaries: The game features multiple factions and a unique mercenary system, allowing players to mix main factions with mercenary groups. This adds customization and strategic variety.

Multiplayer and 1v1: The game supports multiplayer with 1v1 matches and a ladder system, providing a competitive experience. It can be played with friends and online.

Crashes and freezes reported: Several players experienced crashes, freezes, and even system shutdowns, particularly in campaign, galactic war mode, and co-op survival. These stability issues can disrupt gameplay and are a major concern.

Optimization praised on low-end: Several reviewers report excellent performance on older or modest hardware, including a 6-year-old rig, an 11-year-old PC, and a ten-year-old laptop, with smooth frame rates and no dips below 60 fps at high details. This indicates the game is well optimized for a range of systems.

Stuttering and lag spikes: Many players report stuttering, lag spikes, and intermittent lag, especially in specific situations like cutscenes, spawning waves, or in the fourth faction. These issues can detract from the overall experience.

Frame drops with many units: Multiple reviews mention significant frame drops and FPS suffering when many units are on screen, especially in large battles or co-op missions. This is a common performance issue that affects gameplay in intense scenarios.

Performance inconsistent across modes: Reviewers note that performance varies significantly between game modes, with the campaign being less optimized than multiplayer, and the Galactic War Menu being more resource-intensive than the actual game. This inconsistency can be frustrating for players.

Recommended for RTS fans: Many reviewers recommend the game to fans of the RTS genre, highlighting it as a must-buy for those who miss classic RTS games or want a modern RTS experience. The game is seen as a strong fit for both newcomers and veterans of the genre.

Great for StarCraft fans: Reviewers specifically recommend the game to fans of StarCraft, StarCraft II, and Warcraft III, noting it as a must-try for those who enjoy similar gameplay. It is also suggested for players who have spent hundreds of hours in SC2 and want something new.

Early access risk: Reviewers warn that buying the game in early access is a risk, and those who dislike early access should wait. The game is described as early access in its purest form, with potential for improvement but also for disappointment.

Support development by buying: Some reviewers recommend buying the game to support the developers and the project, even if it is not fully polished. They see it as a way to encourage the RTS genre's return and help the game grow.

Good for multiplayer and PvP: The game is recommended for players who enjoy RTS multiplayer, PvP, and PvE content. Reviewers highlight the dynamic, fast-paced, and competitive nature of the multiplayer scene as a key strength.

Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00.

Session length: 0.2h.

ZeroSpace has a steep learning curve and UI issues that can frustrate early on, but after a few hours of play, players understand the mechanics and the game becomes enjoyable, especially in co-op and Galactic War modes.

Friction: steep learning curve; confusing UI/UX; poor tutorial; bugs and technical issues; unclear hotkeys; obtuse Galactic War UI.

Unlock drivers: playing for a few hours; completing the tutorial; adjusting settings; UI improvements from updates; gaining familiarity with factions and units.

PvE/Co-op Enthusiast: Focuses on co-op vs AI, Galactic War, campaign, and meta progression, often playing at a casual pace. Motivation: Enjoy cooperative missions, meta progression, and a relaxed RTS experience without competitive pressure. Stance: sale.

Competitive PvP Player: Focuses on 1v1, versus, ranked, micro, and active map presence, often experimenting with build orders. Motivation: Seek competitive ladder, tactical depth, and a game that rewards skill and improvement. Stance: buy.

Veteran RTS Purist: Analyzes unit design, faction differentiation, and mechanics, often comparing to SC2, WC3, and C&C. Motivation: Compare to classic RTS, appreciate or critique mechanics, and seek a worthy successor to beloved titles. Stance: sale.

Performance reports vary widely across hardware tiers: mid-range VRAM users see mixed results, lower-VRAM users often find the game playable with caveats, and high-end VRAM users report serious optimization issues.

Windows 12-15GB VRAM: positive. Most users report the game runs well with only occasional FPS drops or minor issues, though a few complain about optimization and resource usage.

Windows 8-11GB VRAM: mixed. Reports are mixed: some users enjoy the game without crashes, but many experience severe frame drops, slideshow-like performance, and CPU bottlenecks.

Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM: positive. Most users find the game playable, with some noting optimization issues but still achieving acceptable frame rates, and only one negative review.

Steam Deck: The game shows mixed performance on Linux and Steam Deck. While some users report smooth gameplay, others experience frame drops and stuttering, especially with many units on screen. The online-only design and lack of offline mode are significant drawbacks, and multiplayer stability issues have been reported. Overall, the game is playable but requires some tinkering and may not be seamless on Steam Deck.

Linux and Proton: The game runs very well on Linux/Proton based on the provided reviews. Users report smooth performance, high frame rates, and good stability on various hardware. The only Linux-specific issues mentioned are minor graphical glitches that do not hinder gameplay. No launch failures, anti-cheat problems, or heavy tinkering are reported.

Monetization: The user reviews consistently indicate that the game has no microtransactions, battle passes, or other in-game purchases. The only monetization-related comments are about the base game price and early access state, which are not considered predatory monetization. There is no evidence of pay-to-win, gacha, or convenience item shops.

Frequently compared to StarCraft: Many reviews compare the game to StarCraft 2, Warcraft 3, and Command & Conquer, often calling it a spiritual successor or a familiar yet different experience. This comparison is the most common theme across all feedback.

Early access state acknowledged: Reviewers consistently note the game is in Early Access, with some praising it as a genuine early access build while others mention it is incomplete and rough. The state is seen as acceptable given the price and development stage.

Compared favorably to Stormgate: Several reviews compare the game to Stormgate, stating it is more promising, has stronger foundations, and is further along in development. This comparison is used to highlight the game's potential over a similar title.

Mixed feelings on similarity: A few reviewers have mixed feelings about the game's similarity to StarCraft, with some saying it is too similar or that enjoying it requires ignoring StarCraft 2. This is a minority opinion.

Co-op mode compared to StarCraft: The co-op and Galactic War modes are frequently compared to StarCraft 2's co-op, with some saying it adds layers or is more engaging. This mode is seen as a key feature for fans of that style.