Chris InglisThe original Subdivision Infinity is an iOS/Android game that released in 2017. It was ported to consoles and PC releasing as Subdivision Infinity DX on August 8, 2019, developed by Mistfly Games and published by Blowfish Studios (consoles) and Crescent Moon Games (PC). The game features arcade style gameplay and fast-paced dogfights in some amazingly detailed areas of space. You play as Sergeant Jed Riddle, callsign Rebel-1, who is hired to investigate a distress signal from Control Centre M-t12 on Alpha Tyche.
While the story is told through silent text boxes which is a slight blow to immersion, the banter is snappy enough to keep you engaged between the real stars of the show: the dogfights. The gameplay is pure arcade bliss. While I would have loved a permanent cockpit view, the third-person perspective is a tactical advantage, allowing you to track incoming tracers and weave through asteroid fields. The controls are tight, though the inclusion of Aim Assist is a godsend on controllers for pinning down those twitchy, fast-moving targets.
Progress in Subdivision Infinity DX is a loop of combat and curation. You’ll quickly learn that hoarding resources is a death sentence; the bosses here pack a punch, and I found myself hitting a wall early on until I invested in better ship upgrades. Weapons can be upgraded up to five times with gear crates and credits, and new weapons unlock with higher pilot levels. While you can buy basic ships, the real prizes are hidden in exploration missions. Exploration missions allow you to mine resources and hunt for loot crates though they can be a bit grindy. Despite the grind, I found them worth my time by finding blueprints that yield superior, cooler-looking vessels.
A word of warning though, progress only saves when you leave a system. I learned this the hard way after a 45-minute mining haul ended in a fiery explosion courtesy of a stray minefield. Best thing is to warp back to the hangar often to bank your loot. Visually, the game punches well above its weight. The space vistas are stunningly detailed, filled with vibrant nebulas and massive capital ships. Aside from some minor framerate dips during heavy explosions, the performance is remarkably smooth.
Overall, Subdivision Infinity DX is an engaging pick-up-and-play shooter. Its missions are short, punchy, and perfect for quick sessions, while the upgrade treadmill provides a satisfying ‘just one more mission’ hook. It lacks the cinematic flair of fully voiced titles, but for those who just want to hunt pirates through gorgeous celestial clouds, it’s a journey worth taking.
This review utilised a key provided by Blowfish Studios and Subdivision Infinity DX is available on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
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