(Help) Name of (sandbox?) game set on space? (Found: Starsector)

bitfucker@programming.dev to Games@lemmy.world – 30 points –

So I usually browse the internet at random and sometimes stumble upon some interesting games. Today as I was going to sleep however, I remember I saw a game that I cannot for the life of me find the name again. Not even in my search history (as I regularly wipe those). Can anyone help me find it again? Here is what I know:

  • I didn't find it from steam. And if I remember it correctly, the developer doesn't publish it there either.
  • The game website is quite "old" IMHO. Their website is styled like space with galaxy and stuff.
  • The game features advertised on the very front page is freedom to become anything. Either a trader or even space mercenary
  • I remember the screenshot of the game UI is like stellaris, with a star view, ship control and such
  • I don't really remember if the game is online only or not. But most likely not

I know that seems very generic but I am really hyper focused on finding it and failing. I think I also found the game by recommendation somewhere on lemmy.

Edit: It is Starsector

9

It's a little tough to narrow down without more features of the gameplay or world, but maybe you're thinking of Starsector?

Starsector devs website

Alright, this is the one! OMG thank you so much, you just quench my hyper fixation!

Ayyy glad I could help😁

I had a feeling when you mentioned the website layout and that it's not on steam that this would probably be it! If it's been a while since you've played, the game has seen some pretty big updates over the past few years.

Yah, pretty huge updates indeed. I remember playing it for the first time like 10 years ago when it was only a top down shooter game. I picked it up again a couple years ago and the gameplay has expanded so much. It’s pretty much become a 4X game.

Some bonus questions that might help narrow it down:

  • Was it an indie title? I would assume so considering the first point but might as well ask just in case.
  • Is the game itself old?
  • How does it look? 2D/3D?
  • What about gameplay? Was it real time, turned based, mixed?
  • Is there anything else you remember?

X4? Its on steam but for the rest, maybe? (Or previous iterations)

Starsector. Fucking phenomenal game with an excellent mod scene. Almost exactly what you described.

A space sandbox that is some years old is space engineers, though I suspect that's not it