Simulation Games of the 2020s, Part 2 Codexery

Space Crew

Command a crew through space missions in this survival sim.

Space Crew

Josh Valcarcel · Public domain

Space Crew is a strategic survival simulation video game from developer Runner Duck and publisher Curve Digital. Released on 15 October 2020 for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, it follows up on the 2017 title Bomber Crew. A team of four developers created the game. An update called Space Crew: Legendary Edition arrived in October 2021, adding a new campaign.

In the game, players issue orders to their crew across a series of missions that take place within the Solar System and farther out. As the campaign advances, players unlock better upgrades and equipment, and crew members can learn new skills. The Legendary Edition introduced additional features, including missions where the crew leaves the ship to explore outposts that contain enemies and puzzles.

According to review aggregator Metacritic, the game received mixed or average reviews. Rock Paper Shotgun praised how it makes players feel they have cleverly avoided a major disaster while keeping the gameplay balanced, though they noted a lack of choice in certain situations. PCGamesN found the game enjoyable in short sessions but compared it unfavorably to Into the Breach, FTL: Faster Than Light, and Slay the Spire, which they felt were more engaging over longer play. Nintendo Life criticized the Switch controls and the game’s difficulty, but appreciated the deep gameplay, art style, and character customization.

A notable detail from development: the "Away Team" mode in the Legendary Edition was initially created in secret by Jon Wingrove before he revealed it to the rest of the team.

Quick Facts

Title
Space Crew
Developer
Runner Duck
Publisher
Curve Digital
Platforms
Microsoft Windows, OS X, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Engine
Unity
Released
Standard EditionWW · Oct 15, 2020 Legendary EditionWW · Oct 21, 2021
Genre
Strategy, Survival game, Simulation video game, Management sim
Modes
Single-player

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

Space Crew was developed by a team of four developers at Runner Duck. It was released on multiple platforms in October 2020 as a follow-up to Bomber Crew. An update titled Space Crew: Legendary Edition was released in October 2021, adding a new campaign and gameplay features including missions where the player's crew leaves the ship to explore outposts featuring enemies and puzzles. The 'Away Team' mode in the Legendary Edition was first developed by Jon Wingrove in secret before being revealed to the rest of the team.

Reader's Guide

Space Crew received mixed or average reviews according to Metacritic. Rock Paper Shotgun praised the game's ability to make players feel they had skillfully averted a major catastrophe while maintaining balanced gameplay, though they criticized an occasional lack of choice in some areas. PCGamesN noted the game is fun in bite-sized chunks but compared it negatively to Into the Breach, FTL: Faster Than Light, and Slay the Spire, which the reviewer felt were more fun in longer sessions. Nintendo Life criticized the Switch controls and difficulty but enjoyed the in-depth gameplay, art style, and character customization. The Legendary Edition update expanded the game with new content, including the secret-developed Away Team mode.

Did You Know?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed Space Crew?

Runner Duck built the game with a small team of four developers, while Curve Digital handled publishing and distribution.

What is Space Crew about?

It is a strategic survival simulation in which you issue commands to a small crew on missions that span the Solar System and beyond. As the campaign progresses, you unlock better upgrades to help your team survive increasingly difficult situations.

What platforms is Space Crew available on?

The title launched on 15 October 2020 for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, making it a full multi-platform release.

How does Space Crew connect to Bomber Crew?

Space Crew is the follow-up to Runner Duck's 2017 game Bomber Crew, expanding the crew-commanding survival formula into a spacefaring setting with new missions and an upgrade system.

What did the Legendary Edition update add?

Shipped in October 2021, Space Crew: Legendary Edition introduced a brand-new campaign for players who had already finished the original story, giving the game a fresh stretch of content.

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