Starpoint Gemini

Starpoint Gemini points toward a space-sim with trading, combat, and a ship-first view of the galaxy, which is exactly the sort of thing its audience reaches for. By our assessment, the main attraction is the freedom to fly, haul, fight, and upgrade a vessel in a persistent space setting. The downside is the usual one for this kind of game: missions and systems can feel broad rather than sharply authored, and the learning curve is not gentle. In play, that means menus, travel, and ship management sit next to dogfights and route planning, with more time spent in the cockpit than in cutscenes. It sits between more arcade space shooters and heavier simulation games, leaning toward the middle rather than either extreme. People who want a space sandbox with a named ship and a lot of routine will find more here than players looking for a tight, story-led campaign.