And then it happens that, to your surprise, you come across a title that seems to be everything you want and look for in a video game. Maybe I’m raising expectations too high for Earthless, but after trying the demo, I can say that we are looking at a very promising adventure that takes players into deep space.
This tactical strategy comes from none other than Blackbird Interactive, an indie studio already known for many famous projects like Homeworld 3, Minecraft Legends, and Hardspace: Shipbreaker.
As you might guess from the game’s name, everything begins when the sun unexpectedly goes out, rendering Earth uninhabitable and causing mass hysteria. This leads to the launch of numerous deep space expeditions to search for and colonize exoplanets suitable for life. The player will lead one of these expeditions, represented by their spacecraft with onboard specialists and armaments.
At the beginning of the adventure, the player can choose from different factions, though the demo restricts us to the first choice represented by IAA, which I assume is the faction offering a balanced experience. After picking the faction, player can choose from three classes of ships, each with its bonuses.
Once on the command bridge, players can manage their cards, equip new gear, use resources to build new cards or equipment, and keep an eye on their team and their mental health. Crew includes the science officer, engineer, weapons officer, navigation officer, and communications officer. Each crew member can unlock bonuses if their mental state is high. To keep specialists happy, players must make choices during events that favor one team member over another or assign resources they acquire during their explorations to level up one of them.
Exploration always happens from the command bridge and takes the form of a nodal map, where each node might present an event, a distress call, or a battle. Battles take place on well-represented grid maps that include space debris that sometimes must be destroyed, magnetic storms forcing the player to move, or enemy ships that can call for reinforcements as turns pass.
Earthless is a deckbuilding game, and combat is resolved by using cards and combining them in the best possible way. Regarding enemies, the player can see their next move and adapt if their cards allow. Each card played consumes energy, and each movement increases the heat bar, limiting further movement unless a card lowers the bar. Players must also use shield cards and make the most of the ship’s special ability bar. To resolve an encounter, they must reach the other side of the map, often within a few turns, to avoid being surrounded by enemies, while in some battles, the map will be completely dark, revealing itself only as they explore.
The animations are well done; watching missiles streak toward enemies is really cool, and the enemy ships, at least those encountered in the demo, look great. The graphic style and UI are well-crafted and straightforward, ensuring they don’t overwhelm the player. The music adds a sense of suspense and enhances the exploration of the unknown reaches of space.
The demo was enough to generate hype. Perhaps it’s the thrill of exploring the unknown or the simple yet engaging crew management that recalls the great old strategy game Reunion, which some older gamers might remember. Plus, the tactical and fascinating combat system.
Earthless is set to arrive in Early Access sometime in 2024, but once you try the demo, you are likely to be hooked as well. Below is the description from the Steam page, along with some screenshots and the trailer.
ABOUT THIS GAME
We thought we had a billion years before our Sun would die… We were wrong.
Take the helm of a generation starship and voyage into the dangerous unknown in search of a new home for the human race. EARTHLESS is a sci-fi roguelike deckbuilder with grid-based tactical combat from the studio behind innovative space games Homeworld 3 and Hardspace: Shipbreaker. Draw your own path through the stars, defend your people, and keep the hope of humanity alive. Our salvation will be forged from the wreckage of many starships…
…Just how many is up to you.
CAPTAIN ON DECK
Shoulder the heavy responsibility of saving humanity by keeping your ship — and each soul on it — alive as you explore ever-changing and treacherous star systems. No stretch of space will greet you the same way twice, so your leadership must evolve with the shifting perils of your environment. Agonize over crucial decisions, learn from your harrowing mistakes, and explore ever further into the vast unknown.
ENGAGE!
Space travel is perilous. It will be up to you, Captain, to defend your ship from hostile alien lifeforms and cosmic hazards. Adapt to the hand you are dealt and discover powerful new combinations of cards, consumables, and artifacts each run. Engage in tactical grid-based combat to ensure your crew will live to fight another day.
BURDEN OF COMMAND
Each new voyage pairs you with a unique crew of officers who carry out your orders. Carefully weigh their distinct personality traits and needs to inspire them and unlock powerful bonuses — or disregard them at your peril. Every captain needs their loyal crew — can you win the hearts of yours?
FIND A NEW HOME… TOGETHER
Embark on your mission alone or with a friend in co-op. Each player controls their own ship and takes their turns simultaneously, opening up a whole new world of strategy. Coordinate deadly assaults, access co-op exclusive cards, and parley passionately over the best course of action.
AN EVER-EVOLVING JOURNEY
Your voyages through the stars will never play the same way twice. As Earthless continues to develop in Early Access, you’ll be the first to experience new content and features including:
● New story chapters: scout deeper into the cosmos, survive terrible new threats, and find answers to the ultimate question: Are we really alone in the universe?
● New factions: Each new faction will add new ship abilities and a new pool of related cards, opening up all-new strategies and ways of playing.
