Hard Nova

About

Hard Nova drops you into a star-strewn sandbox where managing a ragtag crew and a customizable spaceship are key to survival. Choose between mercenary leads Nova or Stark, each with distinct traits that shape dialogue and mission outcomes. Recruit allies across the Four Systems, balancing trade, combat, and exploration as you repair your battered ship. On-foot battles unfold in real time, with weapon mechanics and skill levels creating tense gunfights that demand quick reflexes and smart positioning. Every decision impacts your crew's effectiveness and your ability to navigate the galaxy’s shifting power struggles. The game’s 1990s roots shine through its ambitious blend of strategy and action, offering a gritty sci-fi narrative about a dying star and warring factions. While its real-time combat and ship management stand out, the lack of character creation might feel limiting by today’s standards. With a cult following on DOS, Amiga, and Atari platforms, it remains a niche pick for players who enjoy blending base-building with tactical shooting. Its story-driven missions and resource management challenges earned it a 78% critic score on release, though modern audiences may find the dated visuals and steep learning curve a mixed bag.

Storyline

A spaceship carrying a mercenary with the crew was hit by a meteor. Its hull was breached, and only the mercenary and the navigator A’kri Janr managed to escape. Gerard Kendall, the head of Starkiller Mercenary Group, gave the survivors a new ship. Now they have to find a new crew in order to complete their jobs. It's high time for mercenary work, as various groups are fighting for supremacy in the Four Systems. Meanwhile, the sun of a remote planet is dying, and only a miracle can save an entire race from extinction...