Skip to main content

Deadnaut: Signal Lost's design overhaul revives an excellent space horror setting

I’m being sensored

Navigating a room via your CRT control unit in Deadnaut: Signal Lost
Image credit: RPS/Screwfly Studios

I loved the premise of Deadnaut. It's the tactility of chunky spaceship interfaces combined with the frustration of the corporation cheaping out on everything and not caring that it'll get everyone killed. It's the desperate crews exploring derelicts out on the fringes of the known, where terrible, unspeakable things have been unleashed. Alien by way of Duskers.

I didn't love playing it, though. It was too frantic, too awkward, too short. Deadnaut Colon Signal Lost changes all those things and more. It's more like a re-interpretation of its own ideas than a direct sequel. Consequently, it's sanded off a little of its unique nature, but overall is a much better game.

Even though it's a bloody roguelike. Godddd.

Read the rest of this article with a premium subscription

Get a Rock Paper Shotgun Premium subscription to access this article and also enjoy ad-free browsing, our monthly letter from the editor, and discounts on RPS merch.