Void Bastards

Play it on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, Windows (Steam Deck: YMMV)
Buy it from: Humble Bundle
Current goal: Get past the fourth stage

When Void Bastards came out in 2019, I was super excited to play it, and then for reasons I’m not quite clear on, bounced off hard. However, this week I was playing a preview build of its spiritual successor, Wild Bastards, and went back to the first to see how much overlap there is between the two roguelite shooters.

It turns out, apart from the wonderfully distinctive art-style, not a huge number. Both are games where you need to progress along Slay The Spire-style pathways, completing FPS challenges and gathering resources. But after that, they really have a distinct feel. Void Bastards is about exploring spaceships to steal useful items, and shoot the violent residents, desperately trying to return to your airlock before you run out of air or blood.

Replaying it this time, however, I’m totally in love. I accidentally stayed up playing until 1am last night. I’m planning to play it this weekend too. And maybe forever. — John Walker