Steering the Hull to Aim
Combat in Benders In Space has been rebuilt around hull-mounted guns. Players must steer the ship's nose into a forward cone to fire, replacing the previous free-spinning gun mechanics. The hull turns significantly slower than the old system, requiring players to point and aim by rotating the entire vessel rather than adjusting an independent turret.
Image source: mendlogames · Publisher store screenshot (editorial quotation)
Exploiting Enemy Blind Sides
Enemies now fire through their own arcs and turn at their own rates. Instead of sitting on the player's nose, enemies actively break for the player's rear. Positioning a ship behind an enemy allows players to hit it for critical damage by exploiting its blind side.
Image source: mendlogames · Publisher store screenshot (editorial quotation)
Evasion Against Faster Missiles
Incoming missiles are now faster than in previous versions but possess much lower turning capability. Players can evade these projectiles by executing a committed turn or using a boost to exit the missile's line of fire, rather than merely delaying the impact.
Image source: mendlogames · Publisher store screenshot (editorial quotation)
Steam Deck Control Mapping
The game supports Steam Deck with built-in controls. The left stick is used for flying and the right stick for aiming. Boosting is assigned to L2, firing to R2, and a scan sweep is triggered by clicking the right stick. All of these actions can be rebound in the Options menu.
Resolution and Input Requirements
The game runs at 1280×800 on default settings, a resolution compatible with Steam Deck. There are no name prompts or chat features in the game, meaning the on-screen keyboard is never required for standard play.
Strategic Depth Beyond Combat
The game's scope extends past the updated combat mechanics to include resource extraction, trade route charting, and colony management across six connected star systems. Players must decide who their colonies are built for while navigating a shifting balance of power held by the Federation, the Rebels, and the Syndicate.