Falling Frontier, from indie developer Stutter Fox Studios, has already amassed a dedicated following with 78,000+ followers on Steam taking it into the top 30 most anticipated games on the digital downloads platform. In this PC exclusive real-time strategy game set in a procedurally generated solar system, published by Hooded Horse, players must navigate the complexities of outer space combat, logistics, and exploration. Falling Frontier is on course to deliver an authentic and immersive science fiction experience, with parallels being drawn with the iconic Homeworld games and the popular sci-fi series, The Expanse.
The Aftermath of the First Colonial War
The year is 2238, and humanity has ventured far beyond Earth, establishing colonies on various planets and moons throughout the solar system. However, this expansion has not been without conflict. The First Colonial War erupted as the colonies sought independence from their terrestrial overlords. The war was fought between the Colonial Expeditionary Pact (CEP), which represented the outer colonies, and the Inner System Defence Treaty (ISDT), comprising Earth and its closest allies.
The CEP emerged victorious, securing its independence and establishing a fragile peace. However, the scars of war run deep, and old rivalries persist. The end of the war marked the beginning of a new era of exploration and conflict as factions continued to vie for control over newly discovered star systems.
Critical to this era of exploration is the discovery of Ti-82, a rare resource which has revolutionised space travel. Ships can traverse vast distances in moments due to Ti-82 powered Faster-Than-Light drives. This powerful resource is the backbone of interstellar logistics, enabling the construction of advanced shipyards, the development of new weapons and the establishment of supply lines across the cosmos.
The scarcity of Ti-82 has sparked fierce competition and conflict. Factions and mega-corporations are constantly on the hunt for new sources of Ti-82, leading to skirmishes and full-scale battles over mining rights and strategic locations. It was Cicero who proclaimed, “The sinews of war are infinite money.” In Final Frontier, Ti-82 is the lifeblood of your campaign.
Falling Frontier Factions
The Colonial Expeditionary Pact (CEP)
The CEP represents the outer colonies that fought for their independence during the First Colonial War. With a diverse populations drawn from various colonies scattered across the solar system, the CEP is a melting pot of ideas and innovations with a unique cultural and technological heritage. This diversity has become one of the CEP’s greatest strengths, with a spirit of collaboration and creativity which drives their advancements.
Ingenious and adaptable, the CEP has developed unique technologies and strategies necessary to survive in the extreme conditions of the void. The harsh environments of their home colonies forced them to innovate continuously, resulting in advancements in life support systems, energy efficiency, and resource extraction. The CEP’s ships and stations are often modular and highly customizable, allowing them to be quickly adapted to new challenges and opportunities.
Their military doctrine is one with an emphasis on guerrilla warfare and strategic flexibility. They rely on their intrinsic knowledge of the outer regions to outmanoeuvre larger enemy fleets. This strategic mindset is complemented by their robust intelligence network, which attempts to keep them one step ahead of their adversaries.
The Inner System Defence Treaty (ISDT)
A coalition of Earth and its closest allies, including Mars and Venus, the ISDT boasts a powerful military and advanced technology having maintained control over the inner planets for centuries. The ISDT’s technological prowess is evident in their state-of-the-art ships and orbital facilities, which are equipped with the latest in weapons, shields, and propulsion systems. These technological advancements are the result of continuous investment in research and development, driven by the inner planets’ extensive industrial base and wealth of resources.
The ISDT remains a formidable military power, despite their defeat in the First Colonial War. It is constantly seeking to reclaim its former glory and suppress the rebellious outer colonies controlled by the CEP. Unlike the diversity of their primary adversary, the ISDT is characterised by a centralised command. Earth typically takes the lead in strategic decisions. Mars and Venus, whilst powerful in their own right, generally align with Earth creating a united front against the outer colonies.
ISDT military doctrine is one of overwhelming force and technological superiority, with heavily armed fleets capable of delivering devastating firepower in large scale engagements. They are intent on maintaining control over key strategic locations – major planets, space installations – in order to ensure their dominance and project power. Planetary defence grids and orbital weapons platforms are some of the defence measures employed by the ISDT to protect their core territories.
The ISDT often leverage economic and diplomatic pressure to assert their influence. Blockades and trade restrictions are used to weaken their adversaries, whilst a solid diplomatic corp is used to form alliances and ensure the isolation of the outer colonies. This multi-faceted approach underscores the ISDT’s determination to restore their dominance and secure their position as the preeminent power in the solar system.
Mars
Mars is a key player within the ISDT, with its own distinct identity and ambitions. The Martian faction is known for its advanced engineering and military prowess. Mars played a crucial role in the First Colonial War, and its influence continues to shape the geopolitical landscape of the solar system.
Titan
Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, is a significant member of the CEP. Known for its resource-rich environment and strategic location, Titan has been a hotbed of conflict and intrigue. The people of Titan are fiercely independent, having endured numerous attempts by the ISDT to bring them back under control. Titan’s continued struggle for independence is a central narrative thread in Falling Frontier.
The Frontier Sector
The Frontier Sector is a newly discovered star system teeming with planets, moons, asteroid fields, and nebulae. Its discovery has ignited a race to explore and exploit its resources. Each celestial body is an enigma with the promise of untapped wealth and strategic advantage. There are secrets to be discovered and every corner of the sector could harbour potential allies, natural hazards or hostile forces.
Factions must strike a balance between exploration, resource extraction, and defence. Intelligence is gathered through the deployment of probes and scout ships whilst fleets and outposts are hastily constructed to secure valuable territories. The unpredictable, procedurally-generated nature of the sector ensures that no two explorations are the same. Expect the unexpected.
As the factions expand their zones of control, conflicts inevitably arise. Skirmishes over resource-rich asteroids, battles for control of strategic planets, and covert operations to undermine rivals are commonplace. The dynamic environment of the Frontier Sector demands constant adaptation and strategic foresight. Every decision is crucial to survival and success.
Key Locations in the Frontier Sector
Alyas: A habitable planet with a thriving population and rich resources, Alyas is the jewel of the Frontier Sector. It is a lush and verdant world with diverse ecosystems which support a wide range of life forms, fertile lands and abundant mineral deposits. Alyas is a central hub for trade and logistics. Its strategic location makes it a centre of commerce where factions establish trade routes and negotiate alliances. Control over Alyas is highly contested as its well-developed infrastructure offers a significant advantage both economically and militarily.
Du’Resh: The planet Du’Resh is a gas giant beset by swirling storm systems. Other than the rich atmosphere, the most impressive feature of Du’Rush is its multitudinous natural satellites. The planet itself may be inhospitable to human life but the moons of Du’Resh are critical strategic locations for mining operations and military outposts. They are rich in rare minerals and gases that are essential for advanced technologies and shipbuilding. Establishing mining colonies on these moons is a top priority for factions looking to gain an edge in the Frontier Sector.
Damarat: One of the two stars in the Frontier Sector, Damarat is known for its intense radiation and gravitational forces. These pose significant challenges to navigation and sensor operations. The star’s powerful energy output affects the surrounding space, creating hazardous conditions for ships and disrupting communication and sensor systems. Damarat’s influence extends to nearby planets and asteroid fields, complicating efforts to exploit these resources. However, the strategic advantage of controlling space near Damarat is undeniable, as it offers a central position from which to project power and influence across the Frontier Sector.
The Mechanics of Falling Frontier
Technological advancements in Falling Frontier are a direct result of the discovery and exploitation of Ti-82.
Key technologies
Faster-Than-Light Travel: The cornerstone of interstellar logistics, FTL travel allows ships to jump between star systems in an instant. However, it is not without its limitations, as ships cannot perform FTL jumps within the gravity wells of celestial bodies.
Ship Customisation: Players can design and modify their ships with various modules and technologies. This includes weapons, sensors, and support systems, allowing for a high degree of strategic flexibility.
Orbital Facilities: Advanced shipyards, refineries, and recon stations are crucial for maintaining and expanding a faction’s presence in the Frontier Sector. These facilities can be upgraded to unlock new technologies and capabilities.
Ship Design and Customization
Falling Frontier will feature a full fledged and intuitive ship design and customisation system. Different classes of ships, including frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and battlecruisers can be constructed and modified. Each ship class comes with its own set of modules and capabilities, allowing players to tailor their fleets to specific strategic needs. The Berwick-class frigate is an exceptional minelayer. The Faslane-class frigate is a stealthy operator with missile and drone-support powers.
Reconnaissance, Logistics and Resource Management
Critical to success in Falling Frontier is intelligence gathering which comes from a solid reconnaissance ability. Ships like the York-class frigate with its enhanced sensor modules are essential to this. Probes can also be used but these have limited accuracy and are vulnerable to being shot down leaving players in the dark. To quote a Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher:
Know thy enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated.
Sun Tzu – The Art of War
Logistics involve managing resources such as food, fuel, munitions, and ore. These resources are essential for maintaining fleets, constructing ships, and sustaining colonies. Players must establish supply chains, build refineries, and manage the transportation of goods to ensure their faction’s survival and efficiency.
Resource management is a cornerstone of Falling Frontier. The game features a complex array of resources that players must gather, manage, and utilize to maintain their fleets, build infrastructure, and sustain their colonies. Each resource plays a unique role in the game’s economy and strategic operations.
Food: Maintaining a steady supply of food is crucial for the well-being and efficiency of your crew members and colonies. Food shortages can lead to decreased morale and productivity, making it imperative to manage your agricultural and food production facilities effectively.
Fuel: One of the most basic yet vital resources in the game. Fuel powers your ships’ engines, enabling them to perform FTL jumps and traverse vast distances quickly. Managing fuel reserves is critical, as a shortage can severely hamper your fleet’s mobility and operational capabilities.
Ore: A fundamental resource required for building ships, stations, and various infrastructure components. Efficient mining and management of ore resources are crucial for sustaining your faction’s growth and operational needs.
Money: Money is generated through the taxation of your population and serves as the primary currency for economic transactions and investments, making it essential for expanding and maintaining your faction’s infrastructure and capabilities.
Population: Vital for fulfilling crew requirements, training officers, and generating income through taxation, your population forms the backbone of your workforce and military personnel.
Ti-82: A rare and valuable resource that plays a pivotal role in the game’s technological landscape. It enables advanced technologies and is critical for Faster-Than-Light (FTL) travel. Ti-82 is essential for constructing the most advanced ships, weapons, and facilities. Its scarcity makes it a highly contested resource, driving much of the conflict and competition in Falling Frontier. Controlling Ti-82 supplies provides a significant strategic advantage, allowing factions to develop superior technologies and maintain a technological edge over their rivals.
Officers and Crew
As mentioned above, the human element is key to Falling Frontier. This is no Banksian anarchistic utopia like The Culture, where Minds run the show, here humanity is the key driving force. Success or failure depends on the humans under your control. Despite advanced technology, players must also consider the importance of experienced crew and officers. An experienced crew can turn the tide of a battle with faster weapon reload times and improved responsiveness. Officers hold specialist roles on starships. They can be captains, navigators, engineers, and gunnery officers. Their abilities and morale can significantly impact a ship’s effectiveness in combat and exploration. Navigators optimize FTL calculations, while gunnery officers improve weapon accuracy and reload times. Officers gain skills and passive abilities as the game progresses, however they can be injured or even killed. Keeping your veteran officers alive is crucial to an effective navy.
Tactical Combat
Falling Frontier is aiming for a sophisticated blend of intuitive controls and deep mechanics when it comes to combat. Battles occur at strategically significant points of interest, such as planets, moons, asteroid fields or space stations, creating smaller maps for close quarter engagements. This localised combat setting means that maneuvering and positioning is important, as is awareness of the environment. This is a highly physical combat system with every projectile subjected to realistic physics. A well-placed shot, influenced by armour thickness, ship components, and even the angle of attack, can ricochet off a hull and potentially hit an unintended target. Despite its science fiction roots, Stutter Fox Studios are attempting to make Falling Frontier feel realistic.
A comprehensive rules of engagement system will allow players to dictate the combat behaviour of their ships. They can be instructed to adopt a defensive posture or to focus fire against a single target to inflict maximum damage. An inability to perform blind faster-than-light jumps due to the gravitational influence of nearby celestial bodies is a significant impediment. This forces players to think tactically about movement and engagements, making each decision critical.
Ship customisation is set to make a significant impact on the outcome of battles. Vessels can be outfitted with different armour types, alternative weapon systems and support modules. Ships and fleets can be tailored to specific roles in combat. The fascinating interplay between ship design and tactical execution will ensure no two battles are the same and provide an engaging combat experience.
Another layer of strategic complexity in the game is the inclusion of planetary invasions. Before launching a large scale planetary invasion, air superiority must be achieved by neutralizing planetary defenses and securing control of the skies. Bombardment and surgical strikes against enemy units and defensive installations precede an invasion by transport ships supported by air units. An invasion must be carefully planned with consideration given to the strength of the attacking forces, the capabilities of the defenders, planetary defences, availability of reinforcements, and the logistical support necessary to sustain a long-term campaign. Players will need to consider the risks of a failed invasion and the loss of men and materiel against the rewards of a successful invasion; the capture of valuable resources, strategic locations, and the expansion of territorial control.
The integration of tactical space combat and ground invasions creates a cohesive and immersive experience in Falling Frontier. Players must balance their efforts between space and planetary engagements, ensuring that their fleets are prepared for both orbital and ground operations. The seamless transition between space battles and ground invasions underscores the interconnected nature of the game’s strategic elements, providing a comprehensive and engaging warfare simulation.
Visual and Audio Design
Its fair to say that Falling Frontier looks beautiful, but this is not a case of style over substance. The sleek and unified user interface enhances the science fiction aesthetic and overall immersion. The developers have crafted a visual design which borrows heavily from the grounded reality of sci-fi epic, The Expanse. The ship designs have a practical, almost industrial, look. Functionality and believability are chosen over the fantastical elements you may have experienced in other science fiction games. In some respects, the game reminds me of Ridley Scott’s Aliens; not in an obvious visually similar way, but in a dedication to creating something grounded and immersive, where every detail feels purposeful and authentic.
Environments from the vastness of space to the surface of planets are rendered in glorious full HD. This visual fidelity extends to dynamic lighting and particle effects which create atmospheric and engaging battle scenes. Explosions, debris, and energy discharges during combat are depicted with a level of detail that enhances the sense of scale and intensity of the battles.
The visual design of Falling Frontier is enhanced by a perfect, complimentary audio design. Distant echoes in space give a sense of the scale of the void. Ship engines hum with barely suppressed power and the clang of metal in bustling, isolated, space ports adds a tangible sense of industrial activity and life. Scott Buckley’s emotive soundtrack adds an epic dimension, connecting players to the universe and unfolding narrative.
The Final Falling Frontier
Falling Frontier could capture the market as the quintessential space-based real-time strategy game. It offers a compelling blend of deep gameplay mechanics, stunning audio and visuals against a background of intricate, well-developed lore. The setting of Falling Frontier would not feel out of place in The Expanse, the utilitarian design of the ships would sit nicely in the Alien universe, and Homeworld is currently looking over its shoulder at this young contender for its throne; especially with the recent release of a lacklustre Homeworld 3. It is evident where Falling Frontier got its influences.
Resource management offer strategic depth for those who enjoy this aspect of strategy gaming, whilst the visceral combat and planetary invasions will appeal to those hungry for tactical action. Falling Frontier will demand careful planning, critical thinking and tactical acumen. As players navigate the complex socio-political landscape, manage their fleets, and engage in epic battles, they will find themselves immersed in a universe that feels both expansive and intimately detailed.
With a release recently pushed back to 2025, Falling Frontier is poised to be a must-play for fans of space strategy games.
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