A free VN about space and cool gals
Space Hop: Episode 1 is a simulation video game wherein you can explore space with a trusted partner. Developed by curryswirl, this 2D indie visual novel is a kinetic novel game about ambition, family, and some raygun-shooting amidst the vastness of space.
Similar to Contract Demon, Space Hop: Episode 1 explores the dynamics between a pair of female space adventurers who are mismatched in both personality and drive. Take note, though, that this game doesn’t have any choices or branching paths. Plus, a continuation game is actually uncertain for the developer so you may want to check it for updates.
The space between us
In Space Hop: Episode 1, you are introduced to Ye-rin and Annie—two lovely bounty hunters or “space hoppers” who are hired to deliver, fetch, and hold onto items while exploring the galaxy. They’re quite the opposite of each other in a lot of things—from personality to work attitude—and this can often lead to trouble, but the story delves into how this pair learns how to become an effective team.
What’s great about this game’s short plot is that it effectively paints a space setting without having to extensively explain it at the start. The narrative also has LGBT representation and the tone of the plot switches smoothly from serious topics to comedy without being jarring. However, this can be pretty short as a whole due to how the developer doesn’t have any active plans to finish it.
The ending is solid enough—and there’s only one as there are actually no user choices like in other VNs—but it was meant to be a four-episode project and the developer admits to having lost the drive to continue. This is apparent in how there are hardly any menu controls available. You can access the settings but you can’t save at all at any point in the game.
Still has a lot to improve
All in all, Space Hop: Episode 1 is a nice little story if you like space adventures and kinetic novels that offer linear plots. While it can feel lacking in terms of the game interface, the cute art style and writing more than make up for it. Plus, while it seems that this may not be continued, the developer is open to doing so if there’s enough positive feedback to it.
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