Helium Rain, the space simulation and strategy game from Deimos Games has left Early Access as a rather impressive game.
I really love what they did with it too, while you can purchase the game to support the developer, the source code is also available under an open source license on GitHub.
About the game:
Helium Rain is a single-player space simulation that places you at the helm of a spacefaring company. Trade resources, buy ships and stations to fulfill contracts ! Dock at stations to buy and sell you wares or upgrade your ship, upgrade your technology to be more efficient and militarize your fleet to prevent piracy.
You will need to master both real-time action and long-term strategy: destroying a freighter has a direct impact on the economy, while declaring war will make your spaceflight environment slightly more hostile...
It has a very clean style to the interface, as well as some pretty breathtaking visuals around some of the planets, the spaceship design is also pretty sweet. Well worth a look.
Direct Link
It's not a story-based game, so it's more for those of you who like to go your own way, explore, trade and destroy. Due to how everything works, it's much more of a simulation game than some space sims out there and it really is impressive. I think it's a big shame it's been so completely overlooked elsewhere.
Feature Highlight:
- Realistic economy model with supply and demand
- Strategy gameplay with procedural quests, world exploration, technology upgrades
- 13 playable ships with weapon and engine upgrades
- Fast-paced combat with a Newtonian flight model
- Localized damage model for spacecrafts
- Quick-play skirmish mode
Find it on Steam.
Quoting: liamdaweYes. I don't have a problem with that. I was just looking for clarification.Quoting: Mountain ManI assume this is one of those cases where even though the source code is in the public domain, it's not possible to simply get the game for free?The games source code is there, but the assets are not. Similar to how a lot of developers do it, so that they earn money still while allowing others to use the code.
Edit: Yep, just checked the GitHub page, and they make it clear that what's available in the repository is not actually the whole game but only select portions of code as a resource for other developers who are interested in learning the Unreal Engine.
Quoting: StrangerQuoting: daishordIt looks great and I like the setting. Time for a new computer, I fear...Hi ! We're working on a Itch.io release, and we've also been in contact with GOG. We'll have more on this in a few days, right now Steam is the way to go.
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
I could have sworn I'd seen Helium Rain on itch in the past. Was an early build once there? Or am I just losing my mind?
Quoting: GustyGhostIt's on itch now but it definitely wasn't.Quoting: StrangerQuoting: daishordIt looks great and I like the setting. Time for a new computer, I fear...Hi ! We're working on a Itch.io release, and we've also been in contact with GOG. We'll have more on this in a few days, right now Steam is the way to go.
And is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
I could have sworn I'd seen Helium Rain on itch in the past. Was an early build once there? Or am I just losing my mind?
Quoting: StrangerWe've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Great, thanks for providing such option! Do you think GOG release is likely, or they are still undecided? I'm tempted to buy it on itch now, but I'd prefer GOG if it will eventually happen.
Last edited by Shmerl on 12 October 2018 at 4:40 pm UTC
Quoting: ShmerlThey're still undecided, which has been the case for quite some time now, so I wouldn't hold my breath.Quoting: StrangerWe've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Great, thanks for providing such option! Do you think GOG release is likely, or they are still undecided? I'm tempted to buy it on itch now, but I'd prefer GOG if it will eventually happen.
Quoting: daishordAnd is it possible to support the devs without paying a Steam tax? Just when there are real alternatives to buy PCs without the MS tax.
Without Steam and all the money valve invests in Linuxgaming, the Steam tax is ok for me.
Also Steam brings other services to me, that it is worth it.
Quoting: StrangerI don't get GOG's politics at times... almost as if they don't want to compete, or maybe think they don't have any competition?Quoting: ShmerlThey're still undecided, which has been the case for quite some time now, so I wouldn't hold my breath.Quoting: StrangerWe've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Great, thanks for providing such option! Do you think GOG release is likely, or they are still undecided? I'm tempted to buy it on itch now, but I'd prefer GOG if it will eventually happen.
Thanks for having it on itch, instabought.
EDIT: Not that I could have bought it on GOG even if I'd wanted to - their recent "improved" redesign effectively prevents me from logging in. Good job, GOG.
Last edited by Valck on 12 October 2018 at 8:58 pm UTC
Quoting: ValckQuoting: StrangerI don't get GOG's politics at times... almost as if they don't want to compete, or maybe think they don't have any competition?Quoting: ShmerlThey're still undecided, which has been the case for quite some time now, so I wouldn't hold my breath.Quoting: StrangerWe've just released on itch.io too, per popular request !
Great, thanks for providing such option! Do you think GOG release is likely, or they are still undecided? I'm tempted to buy it on itch now, but I'd prefer GOG if it will eventually happen.
Thanks for having it on itch, instabought.
EDIT: Not that I could have bought it on GOG even if I'd wanted to - their recent "improved" redesign effectively prevents me from logging in. Good job, GOG.
There is a whole thread related to GOG's curation here: https://www.gog.com/forum/general/what_do_you_think_of_gogs_current_level_of_curation/page1
I won't have any use for the source code but these devs get respect for doing this, and very soon also my money.
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