Drox Operative Reviews

We have rounded up some additional reviews for Soldak’s latest, Drox Operative, which mixes 4x elements with the classic hack’n’slash gameplay the developer is known for. Successfully, going by the reviews we’ve seen so far.

Capsule Computers, 8.5/10.

Drox Operative is the type of game fans of space RPGs can lose themselves in for hours trying different tactics or methods for winning to see what they have to offer. The random generation of galaxies adds even more variety to the game to keep it not only fresh, but supply different challenges even giving harder options after players have gotten used to the game. While the visuals do a great job showing off what it has to offer without needing to be excessively detailed, the audio being limited to simply sound effects and music that cuts out the second any menu is opened kind of hurts the flow from gameplay to the menus.

Indie RPGs, 3/5.

Drox Operative is highly ambitious, but only partially lives up to its potential due to a steep difficulty curve, minimalist writing, and lack of clear, immediate access to the information the player needs (mainly in the art and quest components). I’m impressed with what Soldak was trying to do here, and recommend the game to people looking for a hardcore action roguelike as well as those who enjoy micromanaging under time pressure, but in its present state its not for a broader audience.

Video Game Writers, 4.0/5.

It took me a little bit to (get) Drox Operative, but once I did, I was impressed with the amount of layers the game has. The NPC factions are constantly doing their own thing, sometimes getting in your way and sometimes helping you out, which kept me on my toes. The racial relations element also helps keep Drox Operative from being just another click-and-loot fest in space.

The only trouble is, each level is very similar to the one before: the only thing that’s really different are the numbers, which keep getting bigger. While the gameplay will still be enough to keep many ARPG fans clicking away through all 100 levels, I fear the visual (sameness) would wear on me after a while.

Soldak is selling Drox Operative its website, and offering a free demo as well, so there’s no excuse not to try this out and decide how you want to define victory in the great space race.

GameNTrain, 4/5.

The high initial curve and atypical setting may scare off first timers, but when given time and dedication the value of Drox Operative comes through. The graphics are not particularly spectacular, but they do their job. The music approaches monotony and is quickly forgotten. But those faults are easily forgiven in the wake of a fairly formidable framework from which the biggest game studios today can learn. It’s an addictive space RPG which keeps the rewards coming, a toolbox that gives plenty of freedom, barely ever falling into boring farming, and that’s not something a lot of productions of this kind, whether single player or MMO, can brag about.