From Space is a new top-down arcade shooter from developer Triangle Studios and published by Curve Games. The game places you into the shoes of an elite specialist who must defend the earth from an alien infestation.

The story of From Space is relatively simplistic for the most part. It acts more as a vehicle for gameplay and the resulting action, which is the core focus of the gameplay. There isn’t much in terms of characterization and though you encounter a variety of NPCs they all sort of blend into one another. None of them really stuck out in my mind.

The gameplay is also relatively straightforward. You choose between three specialist classes; assault, defense, or support, and collect a variety of weapons and items as you traverse alien-infested buildings and streets. Completing objectives not only progresses the storyline but also reduces the overall alien influence which can weaken certain hordes.

Shooting works well with the mouse and you can swap items and use items with the Q and E keys respectively. As you defeat aliens, your specialist will level up, allowing them to unlock unique abilities and weapons.

I enjoyed many of the guns, despite the fact that none of them are unique when compared to other shooters in this genre. The standard suite of weapons all feel satisfying due to the solid sound design and precise aiming. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the secondary items. A majority such as mines, shields, or barricades only last for limited amounts of time and can often be quite clunky to deploy.

This is especially true when playing solo as enemies often assault you from all sides. I never found myself in a scenario where they proved more efficient or effective than simply shooting. Considering weapon variety is a core aspect of what makes this genre fun, it would be nice if the entire arsenal allowed for versatile usage.

I also dislike how much of the game is scaled and balanced for multiplayer. When playing solo there are many NPCs you can recruit to your side in order to aid you. However, the AI is relatively poor and it can be easy for your allies to become more of a hindrance. From Space also isn’t the greatest at indicating when party members are necessary in order to make it through specific fights. As a result, I often felt my time was being wasted as I attempted to complete impossible fights before eventually searching for someone to recruit.

Another big miss for me was the overall environment and setting. Nothing looks bad but it all lacks a distinct visual identity. Considering the considerable diversity of enemy types, it would have been nice to explore just how different aliens could have warped the landscape. Instead, areas often blend together into one homogenous shell of goo-filled hallways and dark alleyways.

On a more positive note, I did enjoy the music and art style quite a bit. The aliens and humans all have a fun cartoonish aesthetic that channels a Saturday morning cartoon. The soundtrack combines this theme with that of a classic black-and-white monster movie and distills it into a series of pleasing compositions.

All-in-all, I think From Space delivers a solid experience, especially if you are playing with friends. Though there are a few issues, the core combat and the overall presentation are polished. There are a good variety of enemy and weapon options as well as challenging hordes. For the asking price, I definitely feel it is worth giving it a try if you enjoy this genre.

A PC review copy of From Space was provided by Curve Games for this review.

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From Space

$14.99

6.5

Score

6.5/10

Pros

• Solid gunplay
• Fun visuals
• Decent music

Cons

• Too multiplayer focused
• Shallow storyline
• Secondary items aren't useful