SitRep: Interstellaria

Title: Interstellaria
Developer: Coldrice Games
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
Releasing late 2014
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When I first previewed Interstellaria in November, it was still early in development, with a demo and a Kickstarter that was just gaining momentum. Now, the successfully funded space sandbox has entered alpha, and the progress since that early demo is evident and promising.

The pixel art is just as vibrant as before, but the gameplay has been fleshed out and improved. Interstellaria could be best described as FTL mixed with an action platformer and deeper crew mechanics. Like FTL, you'll travel the galaxy in your precious ship, gather crew, assign jobs, and deal with hostile ships as you travel from planet to planet. Managing your various systems and power levels for each is as critical as repairing damage that threatens to depressurize and destroy your vessel.

However that's only one facet of Interstellaria. Once you reach your destination, you can drop to the surface and explore. But planets offer more than exploration. Armed with a variety of weaponry and gear, you'll need to platform around alien planets, defeat hostile lifeforms, and discover secrets and new locations. This mix of ship simulation and action-focused exploration makes Interstellaria already fun to play, even in alpha, and thanks to the success on Kickstarter, only more worlds and aliens species will be available to find and explore as Interstellaria continues to grow. You can follow the game's development on the developer's site or TIGForums and vote for it on Steam Greenlight.

The Watchlist: Interstellaria

Title: Interstellaria
Developer: Master Cold Rice
Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, IOS, Android
Releasing late 2014
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In Interstellaria you command a crew of eager explorers. Combat, trade, and diplomacy is handled by giving your crew commands. Survival means watching out for hull leaks, defeating hostile invaders, and destroying enemy vessels. You have to balance pushing your crew to learn new skills, while also keeping them fed and rested. In addition, at any time you can take complete control of the captain and adventure planet side to collect important artifacts, ship resources, and valuable data.

We've explored distant worlds and alien landscapes and games like FTL has put in the captain's chair of our space-faring vessel. Interstellaria promise to combine on-foot exploration and combat with stylish pixel graphics and a vessel and crew to maintain, and care for.

Interstellaria is a game of two distinct halves. One half is maintenance and travel. Granted a ship to travel across the universe and distant systems, you must equip and maintain the integrity of your ship, and furthermore the crew housed within. Ships can be upgraded with new and better equipment, and crewmembers can boost the stats of your vessel. Hull leaks, invaders, life support failure, and enemy ships are only some of the threats you'll face, and the health and vitals of your crew will always be a concern. But not all every encounter must be resolved aggressively; you'll encounter scenarios that offer moral choices and friendly alien races. The other half is on-foot exploration of planets; as the captain, you'll land on these worlds, outfitted with specialized armor and weaponry, and fight an assortment of enemies and bosses, gather loot, and unlock new equipment and ships. Every world is unique, with its own hazards and style.

Interstellaria is planned to be release in December 2014. You can support the game on Kickstarter