My fascination with astrophysics led me to spend an hour delving into the captivating universe of Void Crew, developed by Hutlihut Games and published by Focus Home. This game belongs to the increasingly popular genre of “team up to accomplish complex tasks with numerous moving parts.”
While it may not have reached the same heights as the beloved Overcooked or plumbed the depths of despair seen in Barotrauma, the recently launched Early Access version of Void Crew holds promise and offers a unique blend of jovial party gaming and enigmatic religious undertones. Not to mention, it showcases some truly impressive spacecraft designs.
In Void Crew, you assume the role of genetically engineered and vat-grown disciples belonging to a religious human civilization locked in a relentless war against enigmatic extraterrestrial invaders known as the Hollow. Teams of 2-4 players embark on missions aboard glossy frigates or destroyers, tasked with objectives such as reactivating radio outposts or aiding stranded freighters.
All the while, they must fend off waves of smaller enemy fighters and more formidable Hollow ships equipped with deadly sniper beams and ice rays, slowly freezing everyone within their range.
The ideal mission in Void Crew unfolds as a harmonious and organized endeavor. One player takes the helm, skillfully issuing orders as the captain. Another handles the ship’s flanking turrets, delivering precise firepower.
A third player manages critical ship maintenance tasks, transporting resources to the onboard fabricator, adjusting the warp core, monitoring engine performance, and deactivating fixtures when necessary to allocate power efficiently. The fourth player dons a jetpack, ventures outside the ship through the airlock, and undertakes missions involving drifting structures, objectives, loot collection, and external repairs.
However, reality in Void Crew tends to be far less orderly. Disagreements over who should be captain often arise, leading to a chaotic power struggle. A rash decision by one player might catapult the ship into hyperspace without allowing others to secure themselves, resulting in casualties due to inertial forces.
Resurrected players deplete the ship’s biomass reservoir, sparking more disputes about turret duty. Multiple players assuming gunner roles can overtax the ship’s power supply, triggering circuit breaker malfunctions.
Meanwhile, one adventurous player might venture outside, carelessly leaving the airlock door wide open, falling off the ship’s hull, and pleading for rescue. And all of this commotion unfolds before encountering any enemy vessels.
Void Crew possesses the potential for an uproarious and entertaining gaming experience, although it still requires that extra spark to ascend to the ranks of the best space games. The Early Access roadmap for Void Crew hints at forthcoming boss battles, which could enhance the gameplay significantly.
The introduction of player versus player (PvP) or even player versus environment (PvE) dynamics on the game’s dynamic maps could elevate the excitement. Personal anecdotes and ingenious strategies, akin to the memorable moments in Sea of Thieves, could take Void Crew to the next level.
If you find the concept appealing but lack a cooperative crew willing to engage in both camaraderie and chaos, you might want to explore Voidtrain, a game that offers an intriguing twist on crafting survival experiences, as previously described by Rachel.
In conclusion, Void Crew, with its unusual blend of space exploration and cosmic politics, presents an intriguing prospect for gamers looking for a distinct multiplayer adventure. With some refinement and the promised content additions, it could become a must-play title in the realm of space gaming.
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