Is this cosmic crafting adventure ready for lift-off, or should it remain in the orbital scrapyard?

The vast expanse of space has long captivated our imaginations, serving as a backdrop for countless tales of adventure, survival, and the occasional exploding spacecraft. Into this void steps the demo of Breathedge 2, a tantalising glimpse into the sequel of RedRuins Softworks’ satirical survival adventure. Promising a blend of crafting, exploration, and quirky humour, the demo invites us to once again don the space suit and face the perils of the inky black. But does this early offering have the gravitational pull to keep us hooked, or will it drift into the forgotten corners of our gaming libraries?

A Taste of the Void

The initial moments of the Breathedge 2 demo plunge you directly into its peculiar universe. As ‘Man’, an ordinary guy thrust into extraordinary circumstances, you’re immediately tasked with navigating the debris-strewn environment. The game wastes no time in introducing its core loop: scavenge resources, craft essential tools, and attempt to not succumb to the myriad dangers of space. The demo area, while limited, provides a decent playground to experiment with the fundamental mechanics. It is also important to mention that the humour found in the first Breathedge game is ever-present in the demo of Breathedge 2, and perhaps even more tongue-in-cheek than before (which is a good thing)! Will the full game manage to maintain this initial intrigue across its promised multiple distinct zones, each with its own rules and resources?

Salvage and Satire in Zero-G

The gameplay in the Breathedge 2 demo revolves around a familiar survival formula, albeit with a distinctly humorous twist. Floating amidst the wreckage of a colossal space catastrophe, you’ll be collecting everything from scrap metal and plastic to the more bizarre components of former space travellers. This loot forms the basis for crafting essential survival gear, from oxygen tanks and basic tools to more elaborate contraptions.

The crafting system appears intuitive, allowing for a steady progression in your capabilities. The narrative, even in this early stage, injects a healthy dose of British-esque dark humour, often through the interactions with your trusty, and seemingly immortal, chicken companion (oh yes, the chicken is back!).

The demo introduces basic combat encounters with space monsters, offering a glimpse into the potential dangers that lie beyond the initial safe zone. How well this blend of survival mechanics and satirical storytelling will hold up over the full game remains to be seen, but the demo certainly lays a promising foundation.

Nuts and Bolts of Survival

The core mechanics presented in the Breathedge 2 demo feel solid. Movement in zero-gravity is fluid, allowing for comfortable exploration in all directions. Resource gathering is straightforward, with a clear visual indication of what can be collected. The crafting interface is easy to navigate, providing recipes for a variety of items.

As in the first game, oxygen management is a constant consideration, encouraging players to explore efficiently and craft upgrades to extend their survivability. The demo also introduces basic base building, allowing you to construct small outposts to aid in your survival.

While the demo doesn’t delve deeply into crew management, the brief interactions with NPCs hint at a more complex system in the full release, where team members may have their own roles and needs. The vehicles, even in their rudimentary demo form, suggest a welcome addition to traversal and resource gathering in the final game.

Cosmic Canvas and Soundscape

Visually, the Breathedge 2 demo is beautiful, utilising a retro-futuristic aesthetic. The environments, while currently limited to the starting area, showcase a great level of detail in the decaying space structures and the various pieces of debris. The character models are distinct, and the animations are functional and realistic.

The audio design complements the gameplay nicely, with clear sound cues for resource gathering and environmental hazards. The deliberately-comedic voice acting certainly contributes to the game’s unique tone. 

Conclusion

The Breathedge 2 demo offers a promising glimpse into a quirky and potentially engaging survival adventure. It successfully introduces the core gameplay loop of scavenging, crafting, and surviving in the harsh vacuum of space, all while injecting a distinctive brand of humour. The mechanics feel solid, and the retro-futuristic aesthetic is unique. While the demo’s scope is limited, it leaves a positive impression and generates anticipation for the full release.

Grade: 8/10