Spacebase Startopia Reviews
When it comes to management simulations there's no question that the pickings on the Switch are pretty slim, indeed, so when any new ones come along I have no doubt genre fans are immediately curious for details...
Spacebase Startopia is a pretty complex space base builder that’s marred by poor tutorials. If you can manage without the tutorial and dive right in you might get on fine. Overall, Spacebase Startopia is an enjoyable game once you give it time and get into it. One thing in particular I enjoyed doing was watching the visitors go about their business and having a great time on the fun deck. Kinda made me wish I could join them!
A game for fans of the original who want to experience the classic in a modern way. With many strengths but also very many weaknesses of the original - and some that have been newly added.
Review in German | Read full review
When I see Kalypso Media stamped onto a game, I immediately think of strategy titles such as Tropico, Port Royale, Dungeons and Commandos 2. They have a huge catalogue of amazing RTS experiences which span several years so I was delighted when Starbase Startopia emerged onto the scene. Developed by Realmforge Studios and launched at the back end of March 2021, you can acquire the game on PC, Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo Switch.
Spacebase Startopia is a great time if you like city sim resource management-based games, but unfortunately doesn't excel in any one area. Caution to those highly susceptible to motion sickness.
That's not to say Spacebase Startopia is a bad game, it's just something of a disappointment. At best, it feels like a remake that makes a few missteps. It's a forgery at worst. If you really want more Startopia but can't stand to look at its dated graphics, there's definitely something for you here. Otherwise, you're better off docking with a different donut.
Spacebase Startopia is a fairly standard strategy/simulation game at its core, with the balancing of resources, happiness and a bit of light RTS combat mixed in. Some technical concerns around the camera, balky control scheme and less-than-stellar AI diminish the overall experience, however. There is plenty of micromanaging fun to be had here for fans of the genre, but Spacebase Startopia is not among the best in the genre either.
Spacebase Startopia may not qualify for iconic status, but it is hugely entertaining strategic game.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Simulation and management games are never simple and intuitive and often the gaming experience improves with knowledge of the same. In this case, in Startopia, by combining more fields - economic management and RTS - the difficulty increases, but also the enjoyment of the game itself. With the graphic and sound aspect, which are really detailed and cared for and a detailed and fun setting, the result is a satisfying game from many points of view. Although the descriptions are really numerous and accurate, I would undoubtedly improve the explanations of the missions or add a summary of the resources or production methods to the main menu, even if only for those who want to waste time reading all the curiosities. Absolutely useful for those who, like me, have no idea what to do or how to do it. Therefore, Spacebase Startopia is absolutely worth playing. Lose yourself in the clubs and kitten cafes, clear the bridge of uncivilized alien waste and fight crime with advanced space technology! And let's hope that, for once, VAL changes its mind about the forms of carbon!
Review in Italian | Read full review
A complex space base builder remake that's marred by inadequate tutorials, clumsy attempts at humour, and a general lack of polish.
Spacebase Startopia feels a bit too basic for a management game and is not something you could really spend hours cultivating once you have the station set up. What it offers is rather simplistic, and is marred by regular crashes on console and an AI advisor that you'll grow to hate.
I'm not done with Starbase Spacetopia (or whatever it's called, I give up), I still want to nail the perfect base, especially now I've fully understood all the games systems, and for the most part, I'm having fun. On top of the campaign and free play mode there's a perfectly serviceable multiplayer mode too, albeit the current small player base means it takes a while to locate a game. Is it the pinnacle of base management strategy games? No, far from it in fact, but it's a more than serviceable space station sim that satisfies the itch for galactic domination.
I had a great time with Spacebase Startopia, and that’s coming from someone who’s not typically a fan of this genre of games. I just don’t usually have the patience to sit down and manage a little empire, but Spacebase does provide a somewhat streamlined experience when it comes to empire-building simulation games, never becoming as overwhelming as some of the Tropico games, for instance. That does not mean the game cannot pose a challenge when things get going, however. There is still plenty for you to micro-manage and keep track of to ensure a successful operation. I just wish the combat mechanics were more engaging, as it stands they feel almost unnecessary. With all that said, I feel it is perfect for newcomers to the genre presenting a fun and cartoony experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
A reinvented classic. Sympathetic and fun but with lights and shadows that keep it away from excellence.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
For a remake of a 20-year-old game, Spacebase: Startopia looks and feels very modern, providing hours of strategic entertainment with its resource management and economic simulation. The game may look complicated and overwhelming but, as long as you play the tutorials first, the controls and mechanics make it very easy to play on the console. You can play the campaign solo or with online friends, as well as lose many hours in the Free Play mode (again, solo or online). I’m disappointed the trophies weren’t more creative, and with the performance within the native PS5 version upon launch, but considering these were my only complaints and they didn’t affect my enjoyment of the game, it’s not a big deal for me.
An interesting experiment gone horribly wrong, Spacebase Startopia is plagued with dull RTS mechanics, a grind heavy campaign, and bad writing.
Relax among the stars in this enjoyable starbase management sim.
Spacebase Startopia has cutesy and cartoony xenos milling around, but that's all it has going for it. From questionable mission objectives and monotonous micromanagement, to audio hiccups, technical woes, and a lack of direction, it's a simulation of the doldrums of alien life.
It may not be for hardcore simulation fans but folks like me who enjoy a more arcade-style sim experience will find Spacebase Startopia to be quite a delightful gem of a game. Plus, it's downright hilarious!
Spacebase Startopia doesn't have quite the same charm and humour of the original 2001 classic. The campaign missions are short and fairly repetitive, and the combat feels really basic. It's a shame, but even with an online multiplayer mode, this shallow simulator is not a particularly engaging experience.