Infinite Space

For the 2002 computer game by Digital Eel, see Strange Adventures in Infinite Space.

Infinite Space
Developer(s)	Nude Maker Platinum Games
Publisher(s)	Sega
Designer(s)	Hifumi Kono (director, scenario) Atsushi Inaba (producer) Masafumi Nukita (designer, plot) Studio Nue (supervisor)
Artist(s)	Sawaki Takeyasu Junji Okubo
Composer(s)	Masafumi Takada[1]
Platform(s)	Nintendo DS
Release date(s)	JP June 11, 2009[2] NA March 16, 2010[3] EU March 26, 2010[4]
Genre(s)	Role-playing, space simulation
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	CERO: B[2] ESRB: T PEGI: 12

Infinite Space (無限航路, Mugen Kōro^?), initially announced as "Infinite Line",.^[5] is a science-fiction role-playing game developed by Nude Maker and Platinum Games for the Nintendo DS. It was the third of a four game publishing deal with Sega. It was released in Japan on June 11, 2009, North America on March 16, 2010, and Europe on March 26, 2010.

A series of short films were also produced by anime studios Gonzo and Production I.G to promote the game, premiering at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show.^[6]

Gameplay

A battle sequence. The player's ship is shown in the center of the top screen, while controls are displayed below.

Infinite Space is a science fiction role-playing video game that allows the player to design and control a spaceship. The player can customize the ship with over 150 different design models, along with over 150 possible crewmembers.^[7] After customizing a ship, the player can explore an expansive game world with a story spanning two galaxies. Characters seen in the game are displayed in 2D, while ships, exploration, and battles are in 3D.^[8]

The entire game is controlled by the touchscreen. Neither characters nor spacecraft are controlled directly, but rather, are controlled in a "point and click" type manner. Travel is done by first choosing a destination, then engaging the engines to move towards that destination. Spaceship battles occur in real-time, with attacks utilizing a "command gauge" feature.^[7] As the command gauge builds up, the player can use it to perform attacks against an enemy ship. The rate at which the command gauge fills depends on the type of ship, and the crew of the ship.

When the player boards an enemy ship, the player takes control of their character to move through the ship.^[8] Characters aren't moved directly, but rather by selecting commands, such as "move right". Melee battles are fought too, using a system similar to "rock, paper, scissors", and a command gauge that is similar to the one used in spaceship battles.

Multiplayer spaceship battles are also available for two-players to play competitively over local Wi-Fi.^[8]

Plot

Infinite Space contains themes from the novel Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke.^[8] The plot is divided into two main storylines; both are centered around Yuri, a starship captain-in-training, and take place ten years apart.

The game is set tens of thousands of years in the future, when humankind has spread across several galaxies. While faster-than-light travel using "inflaton inverter" engines is the standard for all spaceships, ancient constructs called Void Gates are necessary to travel wider distances that would still take years to cross. Ruined, inactive Void Gates called Dead Gates can also be found, but are seen as nothing more than scientific curiosities. Infinite Space focuses on Yuri's quest to discover the ultimate purpose of the Epitaphs, artifacts scattered throughout the universe.

Most of the game takes place in two galaxies: Small Magellanic Cloud and the Large Magellanic Cloud. In the first part of the game, taking place in the SMC, Yuri becomes aware of the Lugovalian Empire, a very large and powerful intergalactic empire, ruled by an iron fist by Emperor Taranis. Learning of their desire to conquer the SMC, Yuri tries to coordinate the galaxy's forces for a defense, but they quickly fall to the Lugovalian threat. In the second part of the game, taking place 10 years later, most of the SMC is under Lugovalian control, with a plan to also conquer the Galactic Federation of the LMC: the largest military force in the galaxy.

Reception

Reception for the game has been mixed to positive. Japan's Famitsu magazine rated it 9/9/8/8 for a total of 34 points, earning it a Gold award.^[9] Famitsu applauded the large volume of the game, along with its extensive customization and intricate story. While some famitsu reviewers liked this, others were overwhelmed by the amount of detail, and the steep learning curve.^[9]

Western critics were less enthused, with Infinite Space receiving a rating of 78/100 on the aggregate rating site Metacritic.^[10] IGN gave it a 7/10, stating that the game had an "epic story", but that the steep learning curve and clunky interface would test player's patience in being able to get to the good parts of it.^[11] Gamesradar had a similar view, praising the multifaceted story, but complaining about interface problems, such as how the player can customize the ship, but cannot directly see how different parts affect the ships statistics while actually doing the building itself.^[12] Website RPGFan gave one of the most glowing reviews, giving it a 92%, and stating "There truly is a grand sense of time and space in this game; it is a long story told across multiple galaxies and dozens of star systems. It is that rare RPG that genuinely makes you feel like the fate of the whole universe is at stake and is actually worthy of its grandiose name. Easily on par with anything you'll find in Xenosaga or Mass Effect , this is not just good science fiction, but a space opera for the ages."^[13]

Sales

During the first week following its release in Japan, Infinite Space sold 38,000 units and was the highest selling game in Japan during that period. Sales tracking company Media Create predicted that the game would have a 92% sell-through rate, indicating that it could continue to perform well on the market.^[14]

References

1. ^ Sheffield, Brandon (June 20, 2008). "Q&A: Getting Nude With Nude Maker's Hifumi Kouno". Gamasutra.com. http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=19089. Retrieved 2009-04-05. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "無限航路". Official website. http://mugen.sega.jp. Retrieved 2009-03-28. 
3. ^ IGN. "Infinite Space at IGN". http://ds.ign.com/objects/142/14253677.html. Retrieved 2010-02-13. 
4. ^ Sega. "Sega Official Site". http://www.sega.es/games/infinite-space/. Retrieved 2010-02-12. 
5. ^ SEGA Unravels the Mystery of the Universe with Infinite Space
6. ^ "Gonzo, I.G Animates Shorts for Sega's Infinite Space". AnimeNewsNetwork.com. September 29, 2008. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-09-29/gonzo-i.g-animates-shorts-for-sega-infinite-space. Retrieved 2009-03-26. 
7. ^ ^{a b} Athab, Majed (October 28, 2008). "Joystiq interview: Hifumi Kouno on Infinite Space". Joystiq.com. http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/joystiq-interview-hifumi-kouno-on-infinite-space. Retrieved 2009-04-05. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d} IGN: Infinite Line Preview
9. ^ ^{a b} "Japan Review Check: Infinite Space". 1up.com. June 3, 2009. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3174584. Retrieved 2009-06-03. 
10. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/infinitespace
11. ^ http://ds.ign.com/articles/107/1078001p1.html
12. ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/infinite-space/review/infinite-space/a-20100316134447791003/g-2008051422266711044
13. ^ http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/infinitespace/index.html
14. ^ Tanaka, John (2009-06-19). "Infinite Space Tops Japanese Charts". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/996/996375p1.html. Retrieved 2009-06-19. 

External links

• Official SEGA game page
• Official website (Japanese)