PC Roundup

Spaceforce: Rogue Universe

Occasionally, computers can be spookily clever. As I was typing the name of this game into my word processor, the auto-complete function helpfully suggested that its title should be Spaceforce: Rogue Unintuitive. Which is most definitely what this Elite style trader/blaster should have been christened.

You're dumped into this particular universe without much of a sodding clue what's going on. The initial tutorial contains a few basic pointers on how to play, although half the time it confuses more than instructs. And some of it's just lazy - you're told to "Press the key for teleport" but not what that default key is.

This shoddiness and complete lack of direction means you're flying about early on, trying to suss out how complexities like the ship upgrade and trading systems work with absolutely no clues and a damn clunky interface which doesn't help. Couple this with the fact that combat is bloody tough from the very first fight, and getting into Spaceforce becomes a rather gruelling experience.

That's not to say that those who do have the patience to persevere won't find some manner of reward. There's some depth to Spaceforce in the form of a huge universe and a really meaty ship and technology upgrade system, not to mention some splendid graphics, particularly the background nebulae, planets and suchlike (which run with a slick frame rate even when the details are turned up on a middling PC).

The developer has also bolted on a diplomacy system with multiple factions you can perform missions for, so there's no shortage of stuff to do alongside the main storyline. It's a shame, then, that the missions are generally unimaginative (kill pirates... kill more pirates) and the game's plot and script are uninspired. Yes, there are a lot of "un" words here; unfortunately, Spaceforce can't be recommended despite some interesting ideas.

4/10

Safecracker

It's from The Adventure Company, and it's billed as the "ultimate puzzle adventure" so you'd think that Safecracker would be an adventure game with a heavy emphasis on breaking and entering safes. And let loose in a deceased billionaire's mansion, it soon becomes clear that you are indeed surrounded by loads of puzzles in the form of locked doors and safes. However, the adventure bit is non-existent aside from moving around the house by pointing and clicking.

Yes, you have an inventory and can pick up objects, but there's no exploring or working out adventure game style conundrums, you simply solve the safe puzzles and are rewarded with an object or code which lets you pass through the next door. The mansion is merely a pretty 3D setting for a series of puzzle games. Incidentally, it's a pretty 3D setting without an invert mouse option - why is it that developers think if it's not an FPS, this isn't required? Pushing forward to look up makes my head hurt.

The puzzles themselves are a varied bag. Some are based on simple logic or sequences, and there are also mazes, sliding square puzzles, code wheels and even a game of Mastermind (the board game, not the quiz) at one point. Generally, the difficulty level is quite well balanced but be warned - there are some tricky brain teasers here. Moreover, there are red herrings which appear to be unfeasibly complex affairs, but actually have very straightforward solutions that are incredibly annoying to discover after an hour or more spent tinkering.

Apart from the odd frustrating puzzle, there's nothing much at fault here, aside from the fact that what you're buying is a small collection of puzzles and nothing more. As long as you realise that's all Safecracker is - and there's no adventure element to speak of - then you won't be disappointed.

5/10