Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes Is The Most Fun I’ve Had with a Roguelike Since Hades 2 (Review)

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Battlestar Galactica is a classic sci-fi franchise with a long history of video game adaptations – some great, some not so much. Now, in 2026, a new game called Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes is being released. Developed by Alt Shift and published by Dotemu, Scattered Hopes is available on PC starting today, May 11th. I recently had the opportunity to play an early version for review.

Scattered Hopes is a unique game that blends the strategic thinking of real-time strategy with the unpredictable challenges of roguelikes, all wrapped up in a story told like a visual novel. Players must guide survivors in escaping the Cylons and finding their way back to the Battlestar Galactica. Throughout the game, you’ll make tough decisions both on and off the battlefield, and those choices really matter. With a compelling story rooted in the Battlestar Galactica universe and a gameplay experience that’s hard to put down, Scattered Hopes had me hooked from start to finish.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Satisfying roguelike progression Some scenarios can start to feel repetitive over time
Great variety of strategic options for each run Audio/sound feels a bit lacking at times
Difficulty settings help you adapt the challenges to suit your playstyle
Engaging, choices-driven storyline steeped in Battlestar Galactica lore

Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes Delivers on Story and Strategy

Okay, so when I first started playing Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes, I was honestly surprised it didn’t have any voice acting. I mean, it’s advertised as a story-driven tactics game, and I figured I’d at least hear the characters speak sometimes. But even though it’s a pretty quiet game overall, Scattered Hopes still managed to pull me into the story, which was cool.

I’m totally hooked on this game! The basic idea is always the same – you’re trying to keep humanity alive – but how you do that is completely up to you. Every decision I make really affects my fleet and the people on board. It’s not just about winning battles; I’m constantly juggling resources and dealing with emergencies. Plus, each of my crew members has their own personal story unfolding, which is awesome. Even though some things happen again on different playthroughs, it always feels fresh and unique. Honestly, the way my choices matter and the high replay value have kept me playing over and over – I can’t get enough!

The decisions you make when you’re not in combat directly affect the story and your chances of winning. Managing your resources is key – how you choose to repair ships, deal with problems, and upgrade your fleet impacts your strength when you face the Cylons in battle. These choices determine how prepared you are for the next attack, and can have serious consequences if you’re not careful.

In each battle of Scattered Hopes, you have lots of ways to stay alive. You choose which groups of ships to send in, and which crew members to assign to them. Then, in the heat of the moment, you direct those groups, deciding where to move them and whether to attack or defend, all to survive until you’re ready to jump to the next challenge. As you upgrade your ships, you’ll also choose which new abilities to unlock. This creates a lot of interesting strategic options. Plus, the game lets you pick from different starting fleets, giving you even more ways to play. Combined with a branching story, this strategic flexibility keeps each playthrough of Scattered Hopes feeling new and exciting.

Scattered Hopes Nails Its Roguelike Progression

I’ve played a lot of roguelike games, and they’ve become really popular. Because these games often involve repeating sections, developers need to find ways to keep things interesting and prevent players from getting discouraged. That means offering rewards during each playthrough, as well as a system for long-term improvement. I’m pleased to say that Scattered Hopes gets this balance perfectly.

Every attempt at survival lets you earn resources to make your crew and ships stronger. As you play, both your main ships and support vessels can level up, creating a sense of continuous improvement. The longer you withstand the Cylons, the more you can upgrade your fleet and increase your chances of reaching the Battlestar Galactica. But if your fleet is destroyed, all progress is lost. That’s why there’s a larger, ongoing progression system that carries over between runs.

As a player, I love that even when I don’t make it far in a run, I still get something out of it! The game gives you ‘Fate’ based on how long you survive, and you can spend that to unlock permanent upgrades. It’s awesome because it means I’m always making progress, even when I’m failing. I can start with more stuff or even bring back a destroyed squad, so each attempt feels like I’m a little bit better prepared. It keeps things exciting and makes sure I don’t feel stuck – every run helps me get a little further!

The power-ups in this game are carefully designed – they give you a helpful boost without making the game too simple. This applies to the temporary upgrades you get while playing, too. The result is a rewarding feeling of improvement that keeps the game challenging and strategic.

Honestly, Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes is a blast to play. It’s got some really solid strategy going on, and the way you progress feels like a classic roguelike – always something new to unlock. Plus, it’s set in the Battlestar Galactica universe, which is awesome on its own! I’ve easily lost tons of hours in this game, and I keep wanting to jump back in for another run. Definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of strategy or the show.

The PC version of Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes comes out on May 11th and costs $24.99. For a limited time, from May 11th to May 18th, you can get it with a 20% discount. We received a PC copy of Scattered Hopes from the developers to review.

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2026-05-11 18:14