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Void Bastards, a first-person shooter with a distinct comic book aesthetic, draws inspiration from classic immersive sims like BioShock and System Shock. Developed by Blue Manchu, a team with experience on both BioShock and System Shock 2, the game promises a unique and engaging experience. Does it live up to the hype, and how effectively does it channel the spirit of its predecessors? Let’s dive into the world of Void Bastards and find out.

A Visually Striking Comic Book World

alt text: A screenshot from Void Bastards, showing the comic book style graphics and UI elements

The game opens with a short comic strip, featuring two space station guards with thick British accents humorously complaining about a missing report. This immediate injection of wit and charm sets the tone for the rest of the experience. Void Bastards truly commits to its comic book presentation, integrating the aesthetic into every aspect of its design.

The visuals evoke classic FPS titles like DOOM and Wolfenstein 3D, with a flattened, almost 2D feel to characters, weapons, and enemies. This stylistic choice creates the impression of moving through the panels of a comic book.

alt text: A screenshot from Void Bastards showcasing the onomatopoeic words used for sound effects, such as 'Thwak!'

Further emphasizing the comic book style, sound effects are represented by onomatopoeic words like “Thwak!” and “Kaboom!” This playful touch enhances the overall quirky charm and adds a unique layer to the gameplay experience.

The game also incorporates humor into its character design. At times, your character might be colorblind, rendering the world in grayscale, or extremely short, forcing you to play as if permanently crouched. These unexpected quirks add a delightful layer of absurdity to the proceedings.

alt text: A screenshot from Void Bastards showcasing the character customization options, including traits like colorblindness.

Unique Multi-Layered Gameplay

alt text: A screenshot from Void Bastards showcasing the in-game map used for navigation and resource management.

Beyond its visual presentation, Void Bastards offers equally unique gameplay. You’re given a ship and a limited supply of food and fuel, tasked with completing missions assigned by BACS, the game’s narrator. Here, the influence of immersive sims like BioShock and System Shock becomes apparent. You’re sent to explore derelict spaceships, scavenging resources to upgrade your character and advance the narrative.

The core gameplay loop involves traveling to a location, landing, eliminating enemies, gathering resources, and escaping. Each level is meticulously designed with clear entry and exit points, along with interactive elements to facilitate gameplay.

alt text: Void Bastards gameplay screenshot showing the player navigating a derelict spaceship.

Each location contains specific resources needed for character upgrades or crafting new weapons. While finding these resources is a primary objective, the game doesn’t make it overly challenging. You can leave a ship at any time, even without finding the target upgrade. This freedom allows you to play at your own pace, focusing on gathering other essential resources like fuel and food.

This flexible approach, combined with consistent rewards, keeps the gameplay engaging. Whether you prefer to tackle challenging locations for rare resources or explore easier areas for basic supplies, Void Bastards adapts to your playstyle.

The Rogue-like Element: A Double-Edged Sword

alt text: Void Bastards gameplay screenshot featuring the player confronting enemies.

Void Bastards employs a rogue-like structure, meaning death is permanent, and you’ll restart from the beginning. While this adds a layer of tension and fuels many of the game’s humorous moments, it can also become frustrating. Repeatedly dying early on can make exploration tedious, and the rogue-like elements eventually become redundant as you progress and reach a point of virtual invincibility.

Conclusion: A Unique and Engaging Experience

Despite the potentially frustrating rogue-like elements, Void Bastards delivers a refreshingly unique and engaging experience. The distinctive comic book aesthetic, combined with the strategic gameplay and humorous writing, creates a world that is both captivating and entertaining. While the permadeath mechanic may not be perfectly implemented, it doesn’t detract significantly from the overall enjoyment. Void Bastards is a must-try for fans of FPS games looking for something different.