Last week I talked about some of the ways we’ll be updating, and not updating, The Chaser’s Voyage based on feedback we’ve received. So while we begin crafting the tutorial, here are some tips to help you succeed at The Chaser’s Voyage.
1) Gotta Go Fast!
We’re experimenting with what the default engine power should be, but remember that you only have 100 days to earn your one million units. This 100 day limit is not a flavorful timer, it’s real, and your space jump drive charges faster the more power you have in your engines. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have level 4 engines on all the time, but having them fully powered up often, especially when in empty space or during other opportunities when you can auto-pilot, is a must.
2) Experiment With Power Set Ups / Balanced is Bad
As mentioned last week, we are changing the ship’s default power distribution from 2 Weapons, 2 Shields, 2 Engines, and 2 Auxiliary to a 0/3/3/2 set up. This is because the 2/2/2/2 set up is really bad. It’s like driving the speed limit in a racing game, it’s safe, it’s boring, and you aren’t gonna win. Instead, you should be experimenting with extremes. Choose a system you want to focus on for each situation. For example, when fighting pirates that you want to quickly dispatch of, you should try and have your weapons set to power level 3 or 4. Then decide whether you want to put more power into your shields or engines. Some situations might demand more shield power than engines, such as flying through a dense asteroid field. Others might demand more engines power, such as if the pirates are using ion weapons that easily chew through your shields.
The point is, you definitely need to shift your power around in order to succeed. Especially, remember to set your engines to max power when you can cruise on auto-pilot. After all, you are in a race against time!
3) Look Over Client Information
I think a lot of players will be tempted at first to just pick the client who is paying the highest amount of money. That’s usually fine early on, but eventually, a lot more factors are added into the equation and if you expect to survive and pay back your debt, you will need to take them into account.
For example, some clients have specific factions that are after them, like the Empire or the UGS. When looking at the right side of the client select screen, you can read that fun little story about why they need to hire you and find out if anyone is after them, which should factor into your decision if you scroll down further and see which territories their trip will take you in. (The client face portrait backgrounds are also colored to reflect any enemies or allies they may have.)
So, let’s say you pick up an “Evil Scientist” on the run for their experiments. They’re offering you the most money out of your three clients. While reading their story, you find out they’re on the run from the Empire. Then, when you check their territory list, they want to cross 3 imperial territories in a row. From your past experiences, you know that imperial territories have more patrolling imperial fleets that you’ll have to fly through. Also, if in any of those territories you come across a planet, you will not be able to land on it for repairs as it is an imperial controlled planet. So, while that client is offering you the most money, maybe even the best deal as you must take into account how long their mission is going to take, it could still be the riskiest.
Those are just some tips I usually recommend to players when first starting to play The Chaser’s Voyage. I know, as the developer, I will not be able to hold the hand of everyone who plays our game, so we’re going to try and emphasize these tips in the tutorial.
You can also follow us on Twitter and join our Discord for more news and to give feedback! If you wish to play The Chaser’s Voyage, you can buy it while we’re in Early Access on Steam:
