ZeroSpace Campaign Guide: Flow, Decisions, & RTS Systems

ZeroSpace, the sci-fi RTS/RPG currently available in Early Access on Steam, offers players a dynamic campaign experience. This guide will illuminate the ZeroSpace Steam campaign guide, detailing its narrative flow, the impact of player decisions, and how its core real-time strategy (RTS) systems are woven into the story. Whether you're new to the Protectorate or a seasoned commander, understanding these elements is key to mastering your journey through the Orion sector.

The Protectorate's Mission: Campaign Overview

In the ZeroSpace campaign, you assume the role of Prefect Aster, a commander within The Protectorate. This galactic force is dedicated to securing humanity's presence in a galaxy teeming with alien factions and conflict. Your primary objective revolves around the acquisition of "Flux," a vital crystalline fuel essential for faster-than-light travel. This resource cannot be manufactured; it must be harvested from Koru plants, which are often fiercely guarded by hostile entities like the Grell.

The campaign unfolds through a series of missions, complete with cutscenes, character interactions, and strategic combat scenarios. It's designed to provide a story-rich experience, blending personal narratives with large-scale RTS engagements. Players begin by selecting a difficulty level, ranging from Casual to Brutal, with a New Game Plus option for those seeking an additional challenge. Given the game's Early Access status, many commanders choose "Normal" to balance learning the ropes with narrative immersion.

Narrative Choices and Character Interactions

A significant aspect of the ZeroSpace campaign is its integration of RPG elements, including a branching narrative and a cast of distinct characters. As Prefect Aster, you'll engage in dialogue with your crew, such as Chris, Leot, and Arcadia, as well as other key figures like Consul Sherman and Kalin Ural. These interactions often present dialogue options, allowing you to shape the tone and direction of conversations.

One notable example from the early campaign involves a critical decision regarding a distress signal from an outpost on Trisarus. Outland miners, considered secessionists by some within The Protectorate, are under attack by the Grell. You are faced with the choice to either adhere to protocol and prioritize your cargo delivery to Trinity Research Station or intervene to save civilians, potentially defying orders. Later, a mission forces a choice between evacuating colonists or Free Corsair soldiers. These moments highlight how the campaign aims to immerse players in its lore and the moral complexities of leadership within the Protectorate.

Core RTS Gameplay in the Campaign

At its heart, the ZeroSpace campaign is a real-time strategy game, demanding tactical prowess and efficient management. Missions often involve familiar RTS mechanics:

• Resource Management: You'll gather Flux (the primary fuel) and Hexite (the in-game currency). Harvesters are crucial for collecting Flux from nodes, while Hexite is used for building and training.
• Base Building: Establishing and expanding your base is fundamental. You'll construct barracks to train infantry units like Commandos and Bastions, supply platforms to increase your unit capacity, and an operating tower as your central command. Research labs and airfields become available to unlock advanced units and support options.
• Unit Deployment & Combat: The campaign introduces various unit types, each with specific roles. Commandos are your basic infantry, while Bastions are tougher units requiring Flux. You'll encounter hostile units like Threshers and utilize Protectorate forces such as Strider transports and air support units ("Eagles"). Effective use of unit abilities and tactical positioning is crucial for success. For instance, barracks can also heal units, making them effective forward push points.
• Mission Objectives: Objectives vary, from securing perimeters and eliminating threats to defending key locations and evacuating civilians. Success often hinges on balancing offense and defense, adapting to enemy attacks, and managing your limited resources under pressure.

Upgrading Your Fleet: Aegis Oath Progression

Beyond individual mission objectives, the campaign features persistent progression centered around your flagship, the Aegis Oath. As you advance, you'll gain opportunities to upgrade various aspects of your command. These upgrades can be accessed from the ship's command interface and impact your overall strategic capabilities.

Examples of available upgrades include:

• Supply Platform Efficiency: Enhances the speed at which supply platforms are built.
• Unit Cost Reduction: Makes training units at barracks cheaper.
• Jump Range: Increases the distance units can cover using jump abilities.
• Damage Boosts: Provides extra damage after certain unit actions, such as jumping.

These upgrades allow you to tailor your playstyle and strengthen your forces for the increasingly challenging encounters ahead. The game also features a "hero career panel" on the ship, which shows up-to-date vitals and abilities for your hero units, suggesting character-specific progression options as well.

Navigating the Early Access Campaign

It's important to remember that ZeroSpace is currently in Early Access. As noted by some players, the campaign is estimated to be "only like 1/4 done." This means the narrative is still expanding, and the developers are actively refining existing missions and adding new content. Recent updates have included:

• New emails and codex entries to enrich the lore.
• Balance adjustments for various missions (e.g., "Grey Horizons," "Liability Waiver").
• Improvements to cutscenes and character facial animations for a more polished presentation.
• Fixes for progression issues, such as the "Return to Aegis Oath" button temporarily being disabled to prevent problems.

The development team frequently releases patches and updates, incorporating community feedback to improve the overall experience. This iterative development means the campaign you play today may evolve with new story beats, refined mechanics, and additional content in the future. For the latest updates and to engage with the community, you can visit the official ZeroSpace Steam page.

FAQ

What is the ZeroSpace Steam campaign about?

The ZeroSpace Steam campaign puts you in command of Prefect Aster of The Protectorate, tasked with securing humanity's future by acquiring Flux, a vital resource, from hostile alien territories. It blends a sci-fi narrative with real-time strategy gameplay.

Do my choices matter in the ZeroSpace campaign?

Yes, the campaign incorporates RPG elements with branching narratives and dialogue options. Player decisions, such as which groups to evacuate, can influence the story's progression and character interactions.

How does the campaign connect to the RTS mechanics?

Campaign missions require you to manage resources (Flux, Hexite), build and upgrade bases, train and command various unit types, and execute tactical combat strategies to complete objectives, directly integrating core RTS gameplay into the narrative.

Is the ZeroSpace campaign complete?

No, ZeroSpace is in Early Access, and the campaign is currently about "1/4 done." Developers are actively working on expanding the story, refining existing content, and releasing regular updates based on player feedback.