The starship action RPG Drox Operative released back in 2012 to a warm reception for its new take on 4x genre where the player does not take control as a leader of a faction but as an independent variable inside the larger 4x game. The gameplay revolves around the player working for the larger factions and attempting to align itself with the faction that will end up winning the larger 4x game overall. Although the player only controls their ship and does not have to worry about building fleets or infrastructure.
The 2 men strong company Soldak Entertainment announced that they are releasing a sequel Drox Operative 2. Drox Operative 2 will be entering Steam’s early access on May 27th. Drox Operative 2 follows after its predecessor and is uses the core mechanics of that action RPG game. Drox Operative 2 differs a little in atmosphere, as the species and empires of the first game have been annihilated in the canon lore and will feature many new species along with a resurgence of the previous species.
Drox Operative 2’s overarching 4x game is getting more crowded as more factions will be in each game, all are exploring and colonizing the new galaxy, requiring the player to maneuver the politics of the game and keep their one ship flying. The player and larger factions have new political treaties available: vassals, tributaries, protectorates, and federations all of which are staples of the 4x genre.
The galaxy space will now be populated with primitive species, or pre-galactic flight-capable which the player can attempt to protect or exploit for their gains. More monsters and enemy ships are floating around the galaxy and the player as more ship components to test out such as plasma cannons and rams. The combat and traveling of the game has been tweaked to move faster, and the game has received a graphical update, but still carries a retro aesthetic.