Fractured Space! A Deep Dive into this Unique 5v5 MOBA

Fractured Space distinguishes itself from the conventional Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre by focusing on tactical spaceship combat rather than the hero-centric approach seen in titles like League of Legends or Dota 2. Developed and published by Edge Case Games, Fractured Space launched initially for PC in 2016, later finding its way to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It is now available free-to-play on Steam, offering a deep and rewarding experience for strategic minds who enjoy the thrill of zero-gravity warfare.
A Universe Teetering on the Brink: The Narrative Tapestry
Fractured Space immerses players in a universe fractured by a cataclysmic event known as “The Shattering,” which shattered planets and tore apart star systems, leaving behind debris fields ripe for conquest. Two factions emerge from the chaos:
- The Hegemony: A technologically advanced empire seeking to rebuild order and control through overwhelming firepower.
- The Uprising: A ragtag coalition of survivors fighting against oppression, utilizing unconventional tactics and salvaged technology.
Players choose a side and engage in 5v5 battles across diverse maps, each with unique objectives and challenges.
Commanding the Void: Gameplay Mechanics Explained
Fractured Space diverges from traditional MOBAs by introducing capital ships as the primary units of control. Each player pilots a massive starship, choosing from a roster of vessels with distinct abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. The objective is not to destroy enemy heroes but to capture and hold “control points” scattered across the map. These points generate “Nexus energy,” which fuels your team’s progress towards victory.
Ship Class | Description | Examples |
---|---|---|
Carrier | Focused on deploying fighters and bombers for offensive and defensive maneuvers. | * The Oracle, The Leviathan |
Escort | Agile vessels providing support through healing, shielding, or debuffs. | * The Centurion, The Nightingale |
Destroyer | High damage output ships specialized in eliminating enemy capital ships. | * The Reaper, The Harbinger |
Battleship | Heavily armored and armed behemoths capable of leading assaults. | * The Colossus, The Behemoth |
The gameplay emphasizes teamwork, communication, and tactical awareness. Players must coordinate their movements, abilities, and attacks to capture control points and ultimately overwhelm the enemy Nexus – the heart of their base.
Beyond the Battlefield: Customization and Progression
Fractured Space offers a robust progression system allowing players to customize their ships and unlock new vessels.
- Modules: Equipping modules enhances your ship’s performance by boosting stats like shield capacity, weapon damage, or mobility.
- Weapons: Experiment with different weapon types, each with unique firing patterns and effects, ranging from rapid-fire lasers to devastating missiles.
As you earn experience and complete matches, you accumulate “Crystals” – the in-game currency used to purchase new ships, modules, and cosmetics. The game’s free-to-play model allows players to acquire all essential content through gameplay, though cosmetic items are available for purchase.
The Sound of Space: Audio Design that Immerse
Fractured Space boasts a soundtrack that perfectly complements the tension and grandeur of interstellar warfare. The soaring orchestral scores and atmospheric sound effects transport you to the heart of the conflict. Explosions reverberate with bone-jarring intensity, laser fire crackles through the void, and ship engines hum with a deep, resonant power.
Fractured Feedback: Community Impact and Legacy: Despite its closure in 2019 due to lack of sustained player base, Fractured Space left a lasting impact on the MOBA genre. Its unique blend of spaceship combat, strategic gameplay, and customization options paved the way for other innovative titles like Stellaris and Star Wars: Squadrons. The game fostered a passionate community who appreciated its depth, complexity, and the thrill of commanding powerful starships in epic battles across a fractured universe.