Master Plan Multimedia launched their indie-made sandbox space simulator, Astrela Starlight, onto the Steam store. The game is currently available for $14.99 but during the first week of release it’s marked down by a rather generous 40% off, so you can grab it for only $8.99.

So what is Astrela Starlight? Well, it’s as the headline states… a sandbox space sim.

Similar to Avorion, gamers will start off with a small space vessel and attempt to complete 60 different questing missions across the galaxy, earning credits, upgrading the ship, and exploring more than 40 different star systems.

There are three different factions, including the Entriden, Cetus, Saurum, Avar, and Elpin races. You’ll be able to merge and combine different ship types them, as well as make use of the Ecxos planetary station to build new vessels for exploration, mining, or war.

You can get a glimpse of what the gameplay is like with the launch trailer below.

The user interface looks pretty cheap, like something out of 1993 for PC where there’s a grainy FMV sequence that has nothing to do with the actual gameplay, but it looks cool so you think the game is good anyway.

The combat reminds me a lot of EVE Online just faster and less laggy. However, combat is also very technical, and you will have to manage the power, the output, the shields, and the weapon systems, somewhat similar to but not quite as in-depth as Starship Corporation.

The game is really simple looking, but you can do some pretty awesome things not featured in many other space sims, such as using jump gates called Lygates to not only travel across the different star systems, but you can also use them to move asteroids and planets to different locations.

Remote mining is also possible, allowing you to deploy droids at various locations to mine resources that automatically get sent back to the space station.

If you’re looking for a wide-scale, sandbox space-sim, you can give Astrela Starlight a look-see over on the Steam store.

(Thanks for the news tip Khro)