Cargo Commander

So I got a new game...  Cargo Commander

I don't know much about this one going into it.  I know that it's set in space, and you collect cargo from space-shipping-containers of some sort.  It's unclear from the trailers, but it's possible that variable gravity may play a role in the gameplay mechanics somehow.  It looks like an action game, so I'll be using my game controller for this one.

I'll give this one a shot and report back shortly.

Home, Sweet Home.

This was an interesting one.   Not a very deep game, this rogue-like platformer puts you at the helm of your space-house slash cargo collection headquarters.  The game plays out like this: Your ship sits in a space-junkyard of abandoned cargo containers.  You activate a magnet that attract a random container which slams into your ship, temporarily joining the two.

One container, then another...

Your job is to then explore the newly adjacent container, looting all the valuables you can find.  Enemies along the way will attempt to stop you from taking the contents, but you're armed with several different weapons to help dispatch your opponents.

Captioned for your enjoyment.

 Also fortunately, ammunition and weapon upgrades are plentiful and easy to find along your journey.

Containers everywhere!

 The main obstacle to your mission is time; shortly after you begin looting the containers, a wormhole will begin to open in space near your container, ripping it to shreds.  If you happen to be inside the container when it disintegrates, you'll find yourself floating along, gasping for air.  You then have a very limited time to get into another container and find breathable air, or make it all the way back to your ship.

So much for that container...

 If you don't make it home in time, you'll find yourself a permanent resident of the space-junkyard, drifting along with the cargo containers forever.  Bummer.

Didn't quite make it home in time.

Assuming you do make it back to your ship while you're still breathing, your onboard computer will evaluate your loot and tell you if anything you found is of any value.  Accumulate enough loot, and you'll begin to earn levels and gain the ability to permanently upgrade your gear, armor, and weapons.

I'm so glad I risked my life for Rat Eaten Donuts.

What I liked: The premise of the game is cute.  It's a fun game.  The graphics are playful, the sound effects were well done, and the controls were well configurable.

What I didn't like: I got really tired of dying.  I know that dying is a regular part of a game like this, but I always felt like my deaths were slightly unfair.  Maybe I just need more practice.

This game was heavily discounted when I picked it up; I think that selling Steam Cards paid for this one.  So if you see it on sale, and looking for a little game without a lot of thinking involved, you could do worse.

Thanks for reading.


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