Infinite Space Review [550 words] – CallsignHUSKER
. Infinite Space is a sprawling space opera produced exclusively for the Nintendo DS by Platinum Games. This is the first handheld game from the makers of the critically acclaimed Okami and Bayonetta franchises. The result is one of the most divisive titles of 2010. Infinite space is a love-it or hate-it Japanese Roleplaying Game (JRPG) due to its steep learning curve and high difficulty. These qualities are counterbalanced by a superb storyline and an astounding depth of gameplay.
. You play as Yuri, a young boy who dreams of exploring the ‘sea of stars’. You are rescued from your oppressive home-world by Nia, a female heroine whose charisma and colorful past echoes the classic scifi hero Han Solo but with several twists. Yuri is soon embroiled in wars, piracy and political intrigue. In a surprising second-act twist the game fast-forwards 20 years and lets you play Yuri as a grown man and criminal who is hell-bent on escaping imprisonment.
. Infinite Space has an unprecedented amount of customization options. Over the course of the game you progress from being captain of one ship to commanding a fleet of up to five ships ranging from cruisers and destroyers to battleships and carriers. All of these vessels can be thoroughly customized with modules, weapons and fighters.
. There are hundreds of modules to buy in the game that must be organized and fitted to each ship’s unique layout. This is achieved by moving tetris-style blocks around on a blueprint of your vessel.
. There are dozens of star systems with hundreds of planets and locations to explore. Characters in the game are highly original and varied. They often say or do very surprising things. Yuri’s sister Kira seems to be romantically interested in Yuri. This is actually a source of humor in the game as Yuri never seems to notice Kira’s advances.
. The crew of your fleet can also be customized. Characters join Yuri frequently and they can all be assigned to different crew departments and divisions. Crew members have different stats and abilities that add yet another layer of strategy to customizing your fleet.
. Infinite Space is not without its aggravating quirks. The game encourages you to talk to the same character multiple times to see all of their dialogue. Sometimes this is even required to progress through the storyline. This is not a significant detriment to the game but it is a perplexing oversight.
. The game starts slow and space battles can be brutally difficult. You will want to utilize every strategy and modification to give you an edge in battle.
. Infinite Space lives up to its namesake; it is one of the lengthiest handheld games in existence. A first play-through of the game can easily last 60-80 hours. If you take your time to smell the roses or make frequent mistakes the game can take 100 hours or more to complete.
. Infinite Space is meant for gamers who are looking for a game that they can really sink their teeth into. Infinite space is a long and difficult adventure but the well-wrought storyline, deep game mechanics and extensive customization can make the game highly rewarding. A head-to-head multiplayer mode and the New Game+ option add significant replay value.
Immersive – 9.5 – An expansive and nuanced storyline but no retry option after battles.
Technical – 9.0 – Looks superb overall but combat animations weren’t impressive enough.
Value – 10 – Great game-length is kept fresh by evolving plots and game mechanics.
Average = 9.5/10
