Judging Space Trader purely on its own merits, it's the repetitive gameplay, the thin narrative and the dated shooter mechanics that keep IGN from offering more than the most half-hearted recommendations. Space Trader's two saving graces are the scarcity of games of this type and the incredible asking price of ten bucks. Even so, your time and money are better spent seeking out the old classics of the genre.
Presentation - 7.0
Graphics - 5.5
Sound - 4.0
Gameplay - 5.5
Lasting Appeal - 7.0
Overall -
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GDN writes: "Welcome to the future where you can trade and shoot your way into owning your own star ship. Hermitworks has updated their original release, Spacetrader with Spacetrader: Merchant Marine. This latest incarnation has you flying throughout the galaxy trading everything from iron ore to organs.
SpaceTrader has you starting out in a space port with your newly acquired trading license and little else. The first objective is to work your way into the good graces of a benefactor who will front you the money to get started. As is with most wealthy benefactors, there's a catch, you must go and shoot someone who owes him some money first before her will help you."
Space: truly the financial frontier. Space Trader: Merchant Marine is an inexpensive ticket into the realm of galactic commerce and killing. There are no pan-dimensional levels of depth here, but all things considered, you get more than you pay for, plus the heart and soul of an old-school PC game.
