Derelict Systems [BETA / PLAYTEST]

Beta access is free for a limited time. 
Download the full, unrestricted version now. All I ask in return is your feedback: are the mechanics intuitive? Was the onboarding smooth? Any issues with localization or major bugs? Your first impressions are vital for the final release.

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When the Great Galactic War ended in a victory for all sides, there was no one left to celebrate. 

A century later, the galaxy is still filled with millions of autonomous combat platforms, mindlessly following the orders of their long-dead creators. Even if a spark of self-awareness flickers in your electronic brain — telling you this eternal cycle is meaningless — you won't break out of this loop without a fight.

In this game, you don’t pilot a ship. You ARE the ship.

Core Gameplay

* True Modularity: Your ship has no fixed stats. All your parameters are simply the sum of the module parameters you plug into your grid. You are free to rebuild yourself at any time based on the tech you scavenge and the tactics you prefer.

* The Chain Reaction: You depend on six critical systems: Engine, Generator, Fuel Tank, Weapons, Radar, and Cargo Bay. If even one of these systems loses its last functional module, it triggers a catastrophic failure that destroys the entire ship.

* Surgical Combat: Your enemies follow the same rules. You don’t need to chip away at a massive health bar. Find their weakest link—a single exposed generator or a lone engine—and take it out to end the fight instantly.

* Scavenge & Adapt: Every destroyed enemy is a source of parts. Loot their remains, install their tech, or sell it at automated stations to fund your next upgrade.

The Tech Tiers

You will encounter modules of varying quality:

* Generic: Bottom-tier junk, the result of bad repairs or manufacturing defects.

* Mil-Spec: Reliable, mass-produced wartime hardware.

* Advanced: High-performance gear for elite units.

* Experimental: Engineering prototypes with strange, unique perks.

* Relics: The holy grail. Legendary pre-war artifacts that can fundamentally rewrite your entire combat strategy. These are only found in the drifting wrecks of ancient derelicts.

The Journey

With 500 procedurally generated systems to explore and 20 levels of evolution, the journey to the galaxy's edge is a long one. As you push from the quiet center toward the hostile rim, increasing pressure forces your AI core to evolve. Each level unlocks more "brain power," allowing you to manage additional module slots and fresh strategies. Whether you are doubling up on critical systems for redundancy or stacking weapons for raw force, you will need to become formidable enough to survive the lethal systems waiting at the very edge of the map.

But reaching the end is just the beginning. In New Game+, you carry your entire Relic collection into a new cycle. These legendary modules fundamentally shift your tactical options from the very first jump, allowing for entirely different playstyles. With over 20 unique Relics to find — and only a few discovered in each run — completing the full collection is a multi-generational quest. How close can you get to building the ultimate machine?

A Note on Development

This project started as a one-week experiment to learn new tech, but it quickly grew into something much more ambitious. As a software engineer from a different industry, I used AI as a force multiplier to handle a workload that would normally require a small team.

This isn't low-effort "AI-slop." It’s a calculated, human-led product where every mechanic and balance tweak was directed by years of engineering experience. It is my first game and it’s not perfect, but it is a solid, tactical experience that I genuinely enjoy playing. I hope you find it just as engaging.