Loading critic reviews...
Deals
Finding deals...
Live Streams
Finding live streams...
About Space Marshals
Space Marshals is a tactical top-down shooter with adventure elements set in a sci-fi Wild West universe. Developed by Pixelbite, it launched on January 8, 2015, for Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. You play as Burton, a space marshal tracking down criminals after a prison break. The game blends fast gunplay with grid-based strategy, letting you use weapons like railguns and plasma pistols to take down foes. Its retro-futuristic setting mixes space travel with saloon brawls, all wrapped in a neon-soaked aesthetic. The Metacritic score of 83 reflects its sharp mechanics and creative worldbuilding, though its episodic format and short missions keep it from being a marathon experience.
Gameplay
Each session drops you into a three-to-five-minute firefight. You move Burton across a grid, using cover and aiming down sights to pop out and shoot enemies. Missions vary, defusing bombs, extracting hostages, or clearing rooms, but all require balancing aggression and caution. Fugitives have unique traits: some regenerate health, others call in reinforcements. You can interrogate prisoners for hints or deploy gadgets like turrets. Controls feel snappy whether using touchscreens or buttons, and the difficulty spikes keep things tense. Replayability comes from collecting weapons and completing objectives for bonus points. The short format suits quick bursts, but the lack of a larger story makes it feel like a series of disconnected vignettes.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate Space Marshals 4.3/5, with 62% completing all episodes. Average playtime is 8-10 hours, though 58% say missions grow repetitive after 15 hours. The mood breakdown shows 72% enjoy the challenge, while 34% wish for more narrative depth. Achievement completion is high, 84% of players unlock at least 20 of 35 total, including “Railgun Specialist” for headshots. Metacritic’s 83 aligns with praise for tight gunplay, but some critics note weak AI and recycled level designs. A top review states, “The sci-fi western vibe is a blast, but the missions don’t always hold up long-term.” Casual players love the accessibility, while hardcore fans crave deeper strategy layers.
PlayPile's Take
Space Marshals is a $9.99 pick for fans of quick, punchy shooters. It nails the core loop of positioning and shooting, with enough variety in enemy types to keep things engaging. The lack of a cohesive story and occasional repetition might deter completionists, but the low price and high achievement count make it worth a try. If you like tactical decision-making over long campaigns, this game delivers. Stick to the first few episodes for the best experience, beyond that, it’s more about grinding achievements than enjoying the ride.
IGDB Rating
90.0
RAWG Rating
4.3
Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...