The Infinite Black

[TouchArcade Bot]

[Turk]

Been playing for a couple days now. iOS , android, and bluestacks (pc) cross platform. It's a bit like what EvE would be if it were top down and simplified. That's enough for me to stay interested! Lots of fun so far with pvp, PvE "invasions", clan wars, territory claiming, clan garrisons and planets, etc. LOTS to do and I've not even scratched the surface of it (I left the safe area for the first time yesterday! Scary!).

Now for the real question ... The IAP. I'm happy to report it isn't mandatory (but like most games, its quite helpful) and that the IAP currency can be purchased from players for reasonable prices. This also is a clear connection to EvE and the selling of PLEX. Also, you are awarded black dollars (the IAP currency name) as you level and have a chance at randomly finding them in game.

[Linx550]

Played this a year or two ago on my old android. I didn't know it was out for iOS

[tops2]

Pretty grindy, but fun since there seems to be a lot of people playing. :-)

[nosoup4crr]

I'm bumping this to call attention to a really promising game. This game originated on the android platform. And, I only recently started playing it. But, it's a mobile-platform MMO with a really large player base (you're probably looking at 5-10k active players across 2 servers). Although I've never played EVE ONLINE, i've been told that it's similar.

Having existed on another platform for a while, the polish is really apparent. button functions and space efficiency are really top-notch. The graphics are acceptable, albeit unimportant.

IMPORTANT

Please note that this game, at least for the first long while is extremely grindy. So, don't get involved unless you're okay with that. In fact, a large portion of the fun of the game isn't even available to you until after you've leveled for a week or two (the scope is fairly large). I pray they find a way to make the first week more interesting. Also note that the game is fairly complex. I recommend reading the wiki tutorials on the whalesong games website.

What is available to you from the beginning is a rich alliance/corporation system whereby your role in the larger scale of things is constantly evolving. Additionally, the promise a rich PvE and PvP game there from the beginning. THere are things all around you that you'll want to do and will keep you motivated to keep leveling, gaining currency, and improving your ship/gear.

The game needs some evolution. As i said earlier, the first week is incredibly monotone. There are few options for what you can do to progress. And late game, while inviting, still needs some more complexity (for instance, while you can attack other alliance's planets, it does little other than act as a source of bragging rights.

Keep in mind that I've only been playing 3 days. And while this part of the game is monotonous to me, I'm still driven back to grind more and more. PvP, special ship customization, and large-scale PvE endeavors are on the horizon. And I can't wait to give them a try. Initial impressions make me think: 4 out of 5 stars.

One final note about IAP (because I know the subject is so divisive for the community here. black dollars are the paid-for currency in this game. They can be used to basically propel anyone to end game gear, if they so choose. They're also used for things like increased movement speed or XP. BUT -- so far, all but one thing I've seen (and it's not the best option by far) is purchasable with normal in-game currency. Additionally, BD's are very expensive...prohibitive, in fact, for most who are trying to simply buy their way to top-notch gear. However, strangely, BD's are constantly traded for in-game currency. Everyone is given BD's at leveling benchmarks. And most guides will tell you to sell them immediately for in-game currency. Additionally, it's entirely possible to have the most money in the game without spending a dollar. The nature of the corporation system rewards you for gaining power. Corporations (and, by extension, their leaders) are given credit and black dollar bonuses whenever their members earn them.

It's free to play. Check it out for yourself and tell me I'm wrong.

[Turk]

Originally Posted by nosoup4crr

Please note that this game, at least for the first long while is extremely grindy. So, don't get involved unless you're okay with that. In fact, a large portion of the fun of the game isn't even available to you until after you've leveled for a week or two (the scope is fairly large). I pray they find a way to make the first week more interesting. Also note that the game is fairly complex. I recommend reading the wiki tutorials on the whalesong games website.

I agree with the first point. It definitely felt like forever to hit level 10 and get into the black sectors (open pvp, tougher npcs, PvE events, pvp territory assaults, etc). But now that I'm there it feels like a different game! Very fun

The second part I'm not 100% on board with. The game is complex if you want it to be. You can go the min/max route with gear and ships or you can just pew pew without worrying about being as efficient as possible. If you min/max, particularly at higher levels, then you get into a larger amount of complexity. It isn't necessary to be a hardcore player though to enjoy the game. I thought it was fairly easy to get into without reading the wiki, but that's because I didn't know it was there! If i were started all over as a newbie I'd read it.

[Cyric]

Hey guys -- I'm the owner and lead developer at Whalesong Games. Just wanted to drop in a quick "Thank You" for your very in-depth and honest review of The Infinite Black.

I absolutely agree with everything you've said and feel that your assessment is 100% accurate.

To address the issue of the early game being too "grindy" for the first 10 levels I'm dramatically ramping up early XP gains for new players. This change is based on your well-reasoned feedback in this thread.

I always read and respond to every post made at www.WhalesongGames.com (We're working on a new community site! Current one is pretty nasty!). If you have other ideas or suggestions please feel free to register and make them there!

Thanks again,
-Cyric
Whalesong Games
WhalesongGames@gmail.com

[Peewhy]

I like that you are listening to your players, I'll try your game just because of that

[Locanis]

Bumping this because it doesn't, in my opinion as a player, have nearly enough recognition that it deserves. While the early game is a bit grindy (I'd know, I'm not high level, yet :P), it has a vast player-base and functionality of everything and the kitchen sink that you would want in an MMO atmosphere. Corporations (Guilds), Alliances (many corporations banding together, PvE and PvP, loot of varying complexity and rarity, softcore and hardcore (permadeath) modes, etc. I mean its like a space rogue-like meets MMO meets turf wars. It's pure awesome.

TL;DR:
*Loot with several rarity levels
*Auction Houses and Trading
*PvE and PvP
*Corporations (Guilds) with accompanying bases
*Alliances (Band of corporations) with Home Worlds
*Rich atmosphere with plenty of players to talk with, multitude of
chat channels to choose from (or switch off if desired)
*Softcore or Hardcore difficulty
*IAP IS COMPLETELY OPTIONAL.

Probably missing stuff but I think I've offered plenty of reasons to enjoy this game
In-Game Name: Locanis
Server: Red