Convicted Galaxy (2017)

Convicted Galaxy is an intense spaceship action game that fuses roguelike mechanics with traditional shoot ’em up gameplay, all presented in a third-person perspective within a 2.5D universe. The story begins after a disastrous event aboard an Interstellar Correctional Fleet (ICF) prison ship, leaving you stranded in an uncharted galaxy teeming with escaped prisoners. These convicts continuously grow stronger over time, creating a dynamic and challenging environment. Players must construct space stations and support structures around various planets, enhance their spacecraft, and strategically attack enemy strongholds. Every decision matters, as there is only a single opportunity to complete the assigned objectives.

Gameplay Overview

In this single-player adventure, you navigate your escape pod through procedurally generated solar systems, facing escaped convicts while collecting essential resources for constructing buildings and upgrading your ship. The game features adaptive audio and visual cues, guiding players as they search for resources and navigate the expansive open solar systems. Upgrading your spacecraft is crucial, as enemy ships increase in strength and difficulty as the game progresses.

Core Features

• Explore visually striking, expansive, and distinct solar systems.
• Unlock upgrades and knowledge through objective-based progression.
• Construct and dismantle various space structures, including stations, satellites, and vessels.
• Engage with competing factions that battle for control across the galaxy.
• Build and command frigate-class siege ships to gain tactical advantages.
• Enhance ships with stackable upgrades, special abilities, and diverse weaponry.
• Experience a procedurally generated universe, including systems, planets, and enemy spacecraft.
• Face permadeath challenges with only one chance to succeed in each galaxy.

Objectives

• Investigate the cause behind the evacuation of the ICF vessel.
• Locate the mission objective planet and confirm its status.
• Establish a new civilization on the designated mission planet.

Background Story

For nearly 1,000 Pulsar Years (PY), humanity has primarily resided in space stations and ships orbiting planetary bodies within the Milky Way. Efforts to locate habitable planets within the galaxy have repeatedly failed. Resource-rich planets, including Earth, are now exploited for food and mineral production. Poor nutrition and prolonged life in space have reduced the average human lifespan from 70 PY to approximately 30 PY. With dwindling resources and orbital space, the Federation of Earth Descendants (FED) responded to recent catastrophic space station collisions by sending Interstellar Correctional Fleet (ICF) vessels on one-way colonization missions. Each ship is equipped with Advanced Capabilities Exploration (ACE) pods and staffed with personnel from the Office of Galactic Reconnaissance and Exploration (OGRE) to identify planets suitable for human habitation.

The Unexpected Event

As an ICF guard aboard one of these vessels, you awaken at the outer edge of an unexplored galaxy. Preparing for daily briefings, you notice unusual flickering lights accompanied by tremors. Before reaching your post, an evacuation protocol is triggered, signaling all personnel to enter escape pods. Guided by senior ICF members, you board an ACE pod and initiate emergency takeoff despite limited training. Observing the prison ship, you notice detached cell blocks launching escape pods while the main hull remains intact. Drifted into stasis, you realize the survival of others is uncertain, emphasizing the urgency of finding the prison ship’s coordinates for future refuge.

A New Beginning

You awaken abruptly, realizing the situation is real. Acquainting yourself with the ACE pod, automated systems complete checks, and the protective shutters open. Positioned in an asteroid belt near the outer edges of a solar system, you encounter debris and abandoned pods. Interacting with them allows the opportunity to locate survivors and gather vital information to reach the destination system and mission planet. The journey demands careful strategy, resource management, and combat readiness, highlighting the high-stakes nature of survival in this unforgiving galaxy.

Convicted Galaxy is a bold mix of fast-paced spaceship combat and strategic roguelike gameplay. Its vast, procedural solar systems and upgradeable ships create a sense of constant challenge, keeping players on their toes. Building space stations, upgrading your pod, and carefully managing risks give the game depth beyond simple shooting.

The game can be tough, with permadeath and enemies that grow stronger over time, but the feeling of progress and discovery makes it rewarding. The visuals and sound design enhance immersion, helping you navigate and survive in this dangerous galaxy.

We recommend Convicted Galaxy for players who enjoy high-stakes action and strategic planning in space. It's challenging, engaging, and offers a unique experience for those willing to take risks and explore its vast universe.