Cargo commander is a roguelite platform game in which you play as a cargo commander. In this game your objective is to clear cargo containers in outer space that you can summon using a magnetizer. Which catches giant cargo crates that are filled with cargo(and other treasures such as postcards),monsters and previous cargo commanders.
Cargo Commander gameplay wise is very easy to play on and it is addictive. Although, the game itself is very shallow and lacks a large amount of content. Especially when it comes to weapons, monsters or the environments in game as the game doesn’t much variety on offer.
But what had appealed to me is the large amount of randomly generated sectors. There is even the option of creating your own levels. However, I found that typing in names of your own planets. Since even typing in random alphanumerical characters will give you a new world which is neat. The goal of getting all the different items you have collect in order to complete the game is lengthy. However this game is a game that you won’t need too much skill to play on. But to truly master a sector multiple playthroughs are needed. This is so you can know the layouts and where the cargo is located so you can get there quickly.
Although, there is certain aspects to this game that I don’t like. In particular with the design is the upgrade system in this game. As I feel can trick players to continuing further into the game. Since the game has a limited selection for you to buy from the start. Whilst this may encourage players to carry on playing thinking there is more to unlock. However there are no more upgrades to unlock if you go further on. Sure you get extra perks such as extra caps to spend at the start. However you don’t get extra upgrades to buy to improve your equipment nor any new equipment to unlock.
Another issue I have is the fact that from time to time you get emails from your in game wife. However, you cannot reply back to her (which could have been cool as you could get a back story etc). There are also times she will say that your house is leaking. However you have no way to help her as you cannot send any duplicate cargo. Nor can you send money in order to pay for the repairs. However, whenever you reach certain levels you can sell off duplicate cargo to pay a delivery fee, so you can have items delivered to you.
Personally, I feel that although the game does become repetitive. The fact that each planet has the exact mission doesn’t help. Also all the environments feel the same. Since all the assets, cargo items, monsters etc are the same. I could show you 2 different screenshots from randomly selected sectors. But you couldn’t tell me which planet it is from. This is purely due to the fact that all the planets are all too similar. The only individuality between each planet is the layout of each monster/cargo locations.
I also feel that the ‘routine’ of playing the game is another example of why it is repetitive. At the start of the day you can start the day by picking up a mug of coffee if you would like to pick it up. If not you then you go downstairs in your cargo box to purchase any upgrades you can (if you have unlocked the upgrade bench). Afterwards you use the magnet to summon cargo containers to search through. However when a wormhole comes you have to retreat to your cargo box wait until the wormhole has disappeared. Rinse and repeat this until either you run out of life in the game. You can also use the navigator to terminate the day if you feel bored.
Overall, I feel that Cargo Commander is a simple to play game with a long and repetitive endgame. If a 2d rogue lite platformer is the type of game you would generally play on. Then you will have a lot of fun with this game and I would recommend getting it. For anyone who is unsure of whether it is your game. Then I will suggest getting it on sale as it is very cheap when it is on a steam sale.
