Publisher Focus Home Interactive and developer Blackbird Interactive have just released a gameplay overview trailer for their upcoming sci-fi simulation title Hardspace: Shipbreaker.
Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a sandbox salvaging game set in space during an industrial sci-fi themed future. Players are employed by the ominous Lynx Corporation, who players are indebted to. Using high-tech tools, the player must salvage shipwrecks to earn credits and eventually repay their debt to the corporation and gain their freedom.
Players have multiple tools that can help them dismantle each ship they come across and make sure that they acquire the most expensive and valuable parts from each wreck. As with any shipwreck, there are multiple hazards that will come in the player’s way and players must strategically take apart each ship to prevent them from losing either life or limb. To help with this, players have the most basic tools. First off is the Scanner, which is used to survey the ship for key structural points, valuable objects, materials, and atmospheric room conditions. Next is the Grapple tool, which helps you grab on to objects that would otherwise be unreachable in the zero-gravity environment of space. It will also allow you to hang on to specific parts of the ship to maneuver yourself around, or just to keep yourself from floating helplessly away. The Cutter tool is your main bread and butter and allows you to get the most expensive and valuable parts of each wreck. It comes with two head mounts that will allow for either the most precise cuts or to chip away at some of the largest parts of the ship. Using these tools to complement each other is essential to your success.
The game’s main core loop is to salvage ships, complete job orders, get certified, get access to more powerful tools, and rinse and repeat until you’re no longer indebted. Along the way, each shipwreck that you encounter will provide unique and increasingly difficult challenges that will make sure to keep you on your toes.
Hardspace: Shipbreaker will launch on Steam Early Access on June 16, with a full release on PS4 and Xbox One planned for later.
