GamesOpen WorldFree Stars, sequel to the 1992 open-world game that inspired Mass Effect, smashes its Kickstarter campaign over 600% fundedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesOpen WorldFree Stars, sequel to the 1992 open-world game that inspired Mass Effect, smashes its Kickstarter campaign over 600% fundedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Pistol Shrimp)
The founders of Toys For Bob are making a sequel to their 1992 open world space game and it’s just ended its crowdfunding campaign over 600% past its funding goal.
Free Stars: Children of Infinity is a sequel to Star Control 2, the classic game in which you captain a ship across the galaxy, shoot at enemies from a top-down perspective, and talk to funky aliens with a branching dialog tree allowing you to change your relationships with them. You might mistake that description for Mass Effect at a squint, and you’d be forgiven, because Star Control actually inspired a lot of what that classic trilogy went on to do.
FormerBioWareveteran Mike Laidlaw previously talked about how Star Control 2’s “inspiration is all over the Mass Effect series,” in an interview withHardcore Gaming 101. “Rich stories, featuring a human who finds themselves thrust into a galactic conflict against dire, overwhelming foes bent on universal extinction is a great common theme. And of course we can’t forget the Mako, which was a direct nod to the lander gameplay of Star Control II.”
Seeing a series with that kind of impact return with its original creator in tow was enough to draw around 6,785 backers to the upcoming game’sKickstarter campaign, which smashed past its initial $100,000 funding goal in just three hours and has since raised over $680,000.
Backers also unlocked several stretch goals that promise to add interior gameplay, more ships, melee, and additional languages to the game, as well as console ports in the future. The only stretch goal left unmet was a $4.4 million target to make the game completely open source, which is actually what happened to Star Control 2 back in the day, and as our Dustin Baileyexplained, that’s also what led to a legal dispute between trademark owner Stardock and developers Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford - hence, why this crowdfunded sequel isn’t called Star Control: [insert space-themedsubtitle].
Here’severything we know about Mass Effect 5.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”