In theory, I’m going to review Breachway , a roguelike space sim that’s a bit FTL, but in 3D and with cards. However, the moment I wrested that privilege from Ed Thorne’s hands, developer Edgeflow Studio and publisher Hooded Horse delayed its Early Access release. Perhaps this reflects Hooded Horse’s uncharacteristically easygoing approach to releasing games when they’re ready. Or maybe they just hate me and want to deny me the things I could enjoy. It doesn’t matter, because the game now has a recent Early Access release date — August 30, 2024 via Couple, GOGand Epic Games StoreWatch the holiday trailer below.
I enjoyed the Breachway demo, which is still available on Steam – hence Edders’s hounding for a review. The game puts you in command of a single ship and crew, following the star trails from event node to event node as you join a galactic search for the mysterious “Signal.” Battles consist of close-ups of enemy ships in a way that recalls Nude Maker and Platinum’s 2009 DS game Infinite Space. To some extent, it’s just celestial window dressing for the straightforward reality of a card game to attack and defend your health bar, but it’s chic.
Here’s what you can expect from the Early Access version.
Four ship types, each with its own layout, synergies, bonuses, and starting faction position.
A variety of combat systems to employ in tense turn-based combat – from lasers and missiles to anti-aircraft and electromagnetic weapons, and even hacking!
A huge collection of over 200 cards to discover, with which you can upgrade your modules and fine-tune your equipment.
Unique characters you can recruit to your crew, who have special abilities to employ in combat.
Galaxy map with two regions with their own events, enemy types and boss encounters. Use the fuel system to reach arduous areas and watch out for environmental hazards that will affect combat!
Four fully developed factions, each with their own events and alliances.
Meta-progression between games – unlocking ship bonuses, modules and ship variants.
Space stations, missions, items, random events and more!
If Breachway has a game that has to compete for my attention, it’s probably Cobalt Core, which we spent an entire Game Club month on back in the Silver Age of RPS when Katharine “Ironsides” Castle was in the editor’s chair. They complement each other quite well, believe me. Breachway is a more sedate story, for people who want to lose themselves in a space opera, while Cobalt Core has Pong-style maneuvers and talking animals.
