Deep Sky Derelicts
{{Infobox video game
| title = Deep Sky Derelicts
| image = Deep Sky Derelicts cover.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = Snowhound Games
| publisher = Fulqrum Publishing
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| composer =
| series =
| engine = Unity{{cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/698640/discussions/3/2265817017316992938/|title=Update 1.5.2 Changelog :: Deep Sky Derelicts Patch notes|work=Steam Community|accessdate=2023-04-04}}
| platforms = {{plainlist|
}}
| released = Linux, macOS, Windows
September 26, 2018
Switch, PS4, Xbox One
March 24, 2020
| genre = Dungeon crawl
| modes = Single-player
}}
Deep Sky Derelicts is a dungeon crawl video game developed by Snowhound Games and published by Fulqrum Publishing. It combines elements of traditional role-playing video games and roguelike deck-building games. Players create a custom crew, who explore and scavenge derelict space ships. It was first released in 2018 and was ported to consoles in 2020.
Gameplay
Players create and customize three crew members sent to scavenge derelict spaceships. Each character can choose from seven character classes. Exploring derelicts is done via a 2D, procedurally-generated automap that simulates graph paper. The rest of the game uses an art style similar to comic books.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/premature-evaluation-deep-sky-derelicts|title= Premature Evaluation: Deep Sky Derelicts|last=Brown|first=Fraser|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=2017-11-21|accessdate=2023-03-31}} While exploring, energy is expended for life support. If energy runs out, the characters are injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/deep-sky-derelicts-review/|title=Deep Sky Derelicts|last=Teschner|first=A. R.|work=Gamereactor|date=2018-10-10|accessdate=2023-03-31}} When encountering hostile monsters or scavengers, combat is resolved through turn-based combat using cards. A character's class and gear provide them with cards, which are shuffled and drawn randomly. If these cards are not useful, new ones can be drawn, but this costs energy. Each character has health and shields. Shields regenerate after combat, but health does not. The only way to recover health is by paying a medic.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/deep-sky-derelict-is-a-deck-building-strategic-game-for-those-scared-of-such-things|title=Deep Sky Derelicts is a deck-building strategic game for those scared of such things|last=Walker|first=John|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=2018-09-28|accessdate=2023-03-31}} Hardcore mode enforces permadeath, but players are otherwise able to load saved games to redo a failed combat or exploration mission. Besides scavenging random derelicts, players can take side missions.
Development
The developers cited Darkest Dungeon, XCOM, Hearthstone, and FTL: Faster Than Light as inspirations.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/turn-based-roguelike-deep-sky-derelicts-channels-darkest-dungeon-in-space/|title=Turn-based roguelike Deep Sky Derelicts channels Darkest Dungeon in space|last=Wood|first=Austin|work=PC Gamer|date=2017-10-20|accessdate=2023-03-31}} Deep Sky Derelicts entered early access in November 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgsite.net/news/6350-deep-sky-derelicts-is-now-available-for-early-access-on-steam|title=Deep Sky Derelicts is now available for early access on Steam|last=Laire|first=Chelsi|work=RPGSite|date=2017-11-16|accessdate=2023-03-31}} and was released on September 26, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/turn-based-roguelike-deep-sky-derelicts-leaving-early-access-on-september-26/|title=Turn-based roguelike Deep Sky Derelicts leaving Early Access on September 26|last=Horti|first=Samuel|work=PC Gamer|date=2018-09-02|accessdate=2023-03-31}} Two DLC were released: New Prospects on May 30, 2019,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/deep-sky-derelicts-new-prospects-dlc-trailer|title=Deep Sky Derelicts - New Prospects DLC Trailer|work=IGN|date=2019-05-31|accessdate=2023-03-31}} and Station Life on December 12, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://rpgamer.com/2019/12/deep-sky-derelicts-second-dlc-station-life-now-available/|title=Deep Sky Derelicts Second DLC Station Life Now Available|last=Radcliff|first=Ryan|work=RPGamer|date=2019-12-13|accessdate=2023-03-31}} The game was ported to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on March 24, 2020. This version, under the subtitle Definitive Edition, bundles both DLC.{{cite web|url=https://rpgamer.com/2020/03/deep-sky-derelicts-coming-to-consoles/|title=Deep Sky Derelicts Coming to Consoles|last=Tekaia|first=Pascal|work=RPGamer|date=2020-03-14|accessdate=2023-03-31}}
Reception
On Metacritic, the PC and Xbox One versions of Deep Sky Derelicts received mixed reviews,{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/deep-sky-derelicts/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Deep Sky Derelicts (PC)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=2023-03-31}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/deep-sky-derelicts/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one|title=Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition (XB1)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=2023-03-31}} and the Nintendo Switch version received positive reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/deep-sky-derelicts/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition (NS)|work=Metacritic|accessdate=2023-03-31}} Rock Paper Shotgun{{'}}s reviewer praised the combat, saying that the ability to control which cards went into his deck overcame his dislike of deck-building games. Though he criticized the game for its lack of a tutorial, he said the combat is "great fun, never over-complicated". Gamereactor UK called the art and music "brilliant" and praised the combat, though they said it "can sometimes be a slog". A perceived poor user interface and severe difficulty spikes kept the reviewer from making a wholehearted recommendation. After overcoming a steep learning curve, Nintendo World Report{{'}}s reviewer found the game enjoyable.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/53406/deep-sky-derelicts-definitive-edition-switch-review|title=Deep Sky Derelicts: Definitive Edition (Switch) Review|last=Corbran|first=J. P.|work=Nintendo World Report|date=2020-04-04|accessdate=2023-03-31}} 4Players recommended it to fans of Darkest Dungeon, though they said Deep Sky Derelicts was not quite as good.{{cite web|url=https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/PlayStation4/Test/39192/84326/0/Deep_Sky_Derelicts.html|title=Test: Deep Sky Derelicts|last=Luibl|first=Jorg|work=4Players|date=2020-03-24|accessdate=2023-03-31|language=de}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.snowhoundgames.com/deep-sky-derelicts/}}
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games set in outer space
Category:Dungeon crawler video games
Category:Digital collectible card games
Category:Early access video games