Spacebase Startopia
Released: 3/26/2021
Score Breakdown
65.5
Critic Average
18 reviews
56
Steam User Score
645 reviews
N/A
Metacritic User Score
Disparity Breakdown
66 vs 56
Average of both sources
Review Disparities
Each point represents a critic review. Hover for details. Positive = critic higher than users. Negative = critic lower.
4/19/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia is a great time if you like city sim resource management-based games, but unfortunately doesn't excel in any one area. Caution to those highly susceptible to motion sickness.”
70
70/100
4/9/2021
Launch Window“That's not to say Spacebase Startopia is a bad game, it's just something of a disappointment. At best, it feels like a remake that makes a few missteps. It's a forgery at worst. If you really want more Startopia but can't stand to look at its dated graphics, there's definitely something for you here. Otherwise, you're better off docking with a different donut.”
70
70/100
4/4/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia may not qualify for iconic status, but it is hugely entertaining strategic game.”
70
70/100
3/30/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia is a humorous space station management game that revives the cult classic Startopia with updated visuals and gameplay. It features a multi-ringed space station where players build infrastructure, cater to alien tourists, and manage resources. While the game includes fun ideas and quirky AI commentary, it suffers from clunky controls, limited depth, and occasionally chaotic gameplay pacing. Despite a long campaign and multiplayer features, the game lacks the polish and charm needed to fully captivate, making it an amusing but ultimately forgettable experience.”
60
60/100
3/29/2021
Launch Window“I believe that beneath these layers of bugs, there's a good game that will keep many of us entertained for long hours despite the cons, but in its current state, I unfortunately cannot recommend it to any self-respecting gamer. I hope that in time, once the developer finally addresses most of the flaws and technical issues, Spacebase Startopia will become an interesting, though not essential, title on the market for fans of interesting strategy games.”
60
60/100
3/29/2021
Launch Window“I had a great time with Spacebase Startopia, and that’s coming from someone who’s not typically a fan of this genre of games. I just don’t usually have the patience to sit down and manage a little empire, but Spacebase does provide a somewhat streamlined experience when it comes to empire-building simulation games, never becoming as overwhelming as some of the Tropico games, for instance. That does not mean the game cannot pose a challenge when things get going, however. There is still plenty for you to micro-manage and keep track of to ensure a successful operation. I just wish the combat mechanics were more engaging, as it stands they feel almost unnecessary. With all that said, I feel it is perfect for newcomers to the genre presenting a fun and cartoony experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
80
80/100
3/29/2021
Launch Window“I'm not done with Starbase Spacetopia (or whatever it's called, I give up), I still want to nail the perfect base, especially now I've fully understood all the games systems, and for the most part, I'm having fun. On top of the campaign and free play mode there's a perfectly serviceable multiplayer mode too, albeit the current small player base means it takes a while to locate a game. Is it the pinnacle of base management strategy games? No, far from it in fact, but it's a more than serviceable space station sim that satisfies the itch for galactic domination.”
60
60/100
3/29/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia feels a bit too basic for a management game and is not something you could really spend hours cultivating once you have the station set up. What it offers is rather simplistic, and is marred by regular crashes on console and an AI advisor that you'll grow to hate.”
40
40/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia is not completely without merit, but it does lack in charm and depth, and simulators need one or the other (and preferably both) else they're in big trouble. With that being said there is a very specific audience for this game; it works as a competitive simulator where you learn the perfect order for doing things and then execute on that to cruise through to easy victories. In almost any other context, however, Spacebase Startopia lacks the creative whimsy and data-driven depth that we usually expect from a great simulator.”
50
50/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“It may not be for hardcore simulation fans but folks like me who enjoy a more arcade-style sim experience will find Spacebase Startopia to be quite a delightful gem of a game. Plus, it's downright hilarious!”
80
80/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia is a reasonably fun management/strategy game, slightly too complex to play with a controller. Though genre veterans will not find much challenge here, Spacebase Startopia is unique and cheerful enough to make it worth a look.”
74
74/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia is a missed opportunity to meaningfully build on a classic, but it's still an entertaining management sim.”
63
63/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia is a complex management-sim, but once everything clicks there's plenty of fun to be had. It'll take time to learn everything, and the camera can be annoying, but it's still enjoyable.”
70
70/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia doesn't have quite the same charm and humour of the original 2001 classic. The campaign missions are short and fairly repetitive, and the combat feels really basic. It's a shame, but even with an online multiplayer mode, this shallow simulator is not a particularly engaging experience.”
50
50/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia is a next-generation reboot of an amazing, 20-years old sci-fi strategy game, with the same approach to gameplay but a fairly renewed graphics style, perfectly fitting the funny dark humour that pervades our star bases. It's incredible how Spacebase Startopia manages to look modern even today: further proof that good ideas never get old.”
86
86/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia is a decently comical management simulation that looks back at and expands on the original Startopia. With a wide number of buildings and areas to develop, aliens to satisfy and even hire, there's a fair amount to do. Spacebase Startopia isn't without its issues, such as too much forced 'comedy' and a campaign that drags like a marathon, but you're still likely to have a good time if you like management sims.”
70
70/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“A good management game, empowered by a very unique comedic sci-fi setting. Campaign isn't the greatest and a little bit more content would have been great, but all in all a nice return for the classic 2001 Startopia.”
76
76/100
3/26/2021
Launch Window“Spacebase Startopia has cutesy and cartoony xenos milling around, but that's all it has going for it. From questionable mission objectives and monotonous micromanagement, to audio hiccups, technical woes, and a lack of direction, it's a simulation of the doldrums of alien life.”
50
50/100
