The gaming industry is in love with space at the moment. However, they're not quite as deeply in love as this. 200 years in love to be precise. Sol Trader gives you the ability to explore a universe where 200 years of history has been populated and established. Based around this history, and the choices you make for your character, the entire scope of your life can change. Maybe great uncle Joe once did a deal with a notoriously shifty trader who only treats you well because of your history. Perhaps your grandmother was known in this particular region of space, allowing you to travel through unhassled and without having to fight for your life.
The sheer premise alone allows for a true 'never play the same game twice' experience, without the ability to bend and change the direction of your playthrough as you travel through. It echoes the style of Elite: Dangerous insofar as you're able to pirate your way across the galaxy, or to be a simple trader trying to carve out your own empire. The countless interactions that you can make throughout the game all add to the myriad of different paths you can tread (or I guess, zoom about in a spaceship).
So, what's in the game to get your teeth into at launch? Space battles, trading, exploring, missions, dodgy dealing, blackmailing, full modding support, oodles of characters to interact with and a really solid, beautiful 2D space environment to roam in. It's a truly impressive undertaking from a 6 man team, all the more impressive to have been done through a Kickstarter campaign and a slew of events at that!
Can you tell we're excited about this title? I hope so. Check out the interview below to watch me get childishly excited.
You'll be able to grab Sol Trader on Steam at the start of June. Or you can grab your copy now (and more importantly get yourself in the Beta) via the Sol Trader site.