Drifting Lands

Release Date: June 5, 2017

Action, science fiction, roguelike, RPG elements, 2D, shoot 'em up, singleplayer

77%

Steam

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An unusual hybrid of a shoot'em up and an action RPG. The players are taken to a planet which was torn into pieces as a result of a global cataclysm. Those who survived the catastrophe had to conform to the harsh rule of megacorporations. In opposition to those, smaller and larger tribes emerged, whose members earn their living as mercenaries and smugglers.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

Drifting Lands for PC is an unusual hybrid of a classic shoot'em up and an action-RPG. It was developed by Alkemi Games – an independent studio popular for the well-received Transcripted.

Plot

Drifting Lands is set on a distant planet. Ages ago, the globe got split into pieces as a result of a cataclysm. Since then, the pieces are floating in space, held together by gravitational anomalies. Even this catastrophe could not stop the huge corporations and their activity. Not only do they control those who survived, but also exploit the remaining natural resources at the fastest possible rate, while fighting constant wars for influence.

The corporations are defied by a bunch of smaller and larger tribes, which comprise outcasts who earn their living as mercenaries and perform smuggling operations. The protagonist is thrown in the midst of such a company and assumes the role of a pilot, flying a combat ship during air battles, both fighting for survival and facing armies belonging to the corporations.

Mechanics

Drifting Lands for PC is played from a side view. Like in any other shmup, the player constantly moves to the right and eliminates everything that comes in their way. The game is divided into procedurally generated missions – a feature borrowed from roguelike titles. Fighting constitutes the core element of the experience. Different kinds of enemies take part in battles, including mainly combat drones which can be easily destroyed, smaller and bigger planes, and heavy cruisers, which serve the role of bosses. Regardless of what difficulty the player chooses, victory is achieved through maneuvering one's ship effectively, juggling weapons skillfully, as well as both attacking and performing special moves.

The game also features complex RPG mechanics, offering seventy active and passive abilities – thanks to them, the player performs spectacular dodges, launches area attacks, and even controls the passage of time. Those are complemented by equipment obtained on the journey – the player can equip their ship with different weapons and armor. Moreover, one's ship represents one of three classes (Marauder, Interceptor or Sentinel), which differ mainly in their speed, attack resistance and firepower.