Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Space Siege delivers a straightforward hack-and-slash experience in a sci-fi setting, borrowing the isometric camera and point-and-click controls of classics like Dungeon Siege. You guide robotic specialist Seth Walker through the derelict corridors of the colony ship Armstrong, using a mix of melee weapons, ranged guns, and powerful abilities. Combat is real-time and fast-paced: you click to move or attack, switch between swords, machine guns, rocket launchers, and special energy skills that can stun, blast, or shield you for a few precious seconds. Properly managing your energy bar and cooldowns adds a layer of strategy, especially when Kerak hordes swarm from every hatch.

Beyond Seth’s personal arsenal, the inclusion of Harvey (HR-V), a customizable robot companion, adds depth to the battlefield. You can issue simple orders—move here, attack that—and upgrade Harvey at scattered workbenches using scavenged parts. This dynamic allows you to tailor your companion’s role, whether as a frontline tank or a support unit that heals and buffs you. Meanwhile, your own upgrades—ranging from weapon attachments to cybernetic implants—force you to weigh raw firepower against the cost to Seth’s humanity, creating a recurring moral dilemma that spices up the usual loot-and-level grind.

Progression in Space Siege eschews random item drops in favor of crafting parts and predefined skill points awarded at key story moments. This design keeps your loadout evolving without burying you in gear menus, though it can feel repetitive since you’re constantly collecting the same components to upgrade existing equipment rather than hunting for novel legendary loot. A four-player cooperative mode extends replayability, adding unique missions that break from the single-player arc. However, the core loop—clear enemies, scavenge parts, upgrade gear, repeat—remains largely unchanged throughout the campaign.

Graphics

Space Siege’s visuals walk a fine line between gritty industrial sci-fi and dated early-2000s graphics. The Armstrong’s metallic corridors, flickering overhead lights, and emergency red alarms create an oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere that immerses you in the last refuge of humanity. Particle effects—sparks, explosions, energy blasts—pop against reflective floor surfaces, and when a rocket or orbital cannon shells your position, the screen shakes in dramatic fashion.

Character and enemy models are serviceable but lack the intricate detail seen in more modern titles. Seth’s cybernetic limbs and Harvey’s robotic frame hold up under scrutiny, but Kerak creatures can appear repetitive after extended play. Animations remain functional—attacks connect convincingly, and ragdoll physics add satisfying oomph to your kills—but you may notice texture pop-in or slightly blocky geometry in the furthest reaches of each level.

The user interface is clean and unobtrusive, with quick-access slots for weapons, consumables, and abilities. Inventory and upgrade screens are laid out logically, though they adopt a familiar template that feels unremarkable. In-engine cutscenes tie key story beats together but rely heavily on voice-overs and text logs rather than cinematic camera work, making them more functional than flashy.

Story

Space Siege opens with a harrowing premise: humanity’s first interstellar explorers awaken the Kerak, an overwhelmingly powerful alien race, and Earth falls under orbital bombardment on June 10, 2202. All hope seems lost until the colony ship Armstrong escapes through the blockade. You awaken as Seth Walker, only to find most of your crew slaughtered and a relentless alien pursuit looming. The urgency of survival drives every mission, from rescuing isolated survivors to securing critical ship systems.

As Seth, you sift through ship logs, distress calls, and fragmented detritus of a destroyed civilization, piecing together not just the Kerak threat but the sacrifices made by your fellow humans. The narrative unfolds mostly in first-person mission briefings and onboard message terminals, which occasionally breaks immersion but rewards exploration. The introduction of cybernetic implants presents a late-game twist: enhance Seth’s combat prowess at the expense of his humanity, a choice that influences certain dialogues and ultimately the campaign’s closing moments.

While the underlying story is compelling—humanity versus an unstoppable alien armada—the character roster is sparse. Beyond Seth and Harvey, few personalities emerge, and emotional beats often rely on off-screen events or text logs. Branching morality paths add replay value, but the overall plot progression remains linear, focusing on successive waves of Kerak encounters rather than deeper political or interpersonal conflicts.

Overall Experience

Space Siege carves out a niche for players craving a sci-fi twist on the hack-and-slash RPG formula. Its blend of real-time combat, companion customization, and moral-choice implants offers moments of genuine engagement, especially when you balance resource management against wave after wave of hostile aliens. The cooperative mode further extends the game’s lifespan, letting up to four players tackle custom missions together.

However, the game’s repetitive combat loops and recycled environments can wear on you after several hours, and the sparse character development beyond the central duo limits emotional investment. Visually, Space Siege is adequate but not groundbreaking, and its engineered loot-progression system trades the thrill of rare drops for a more predictable upgrade path. If you’re looking for a tight, action-packed romp through a doomed starship with a handful of interesting wrinkles, Space Siege delivers. Those seeking deeper narrative complexity or cutting-edge graphics may find it falls short of their expectations.

Overall, Space Siege stands as a solid, if somewhat unpolished, sci-fi hack-and-slash adventure. It excels in moment-to-moment combat and offers enough customization to keep you tinkering with gear and abilities. While it may not redefine the genre, it provides a satisfying 10–12 hour campaign with replay incentives for fans of cooperative play and moral-choice mechanics.

Retro Replay Score

5.9/10