Battlestar Galactica Officially Has A Second Shot At Life In Scattered Hopes

2 hours ago 18

Lucy Lawless and James Callis in Battlestar Galactica.

Published Oct 27, 2026, 9:11 AM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond.

Battlestar Galactica fans haven't had it easy over the years in terms of getting the high-quality reboot they've deserved. The cancellation of the major Peacock reboot may have felt like a kick in the teeth at the time, but it may have been for the best considering the network wanted a family-friendly show and obviously didn't understand how disastrous that would've turned out for the franchise.

However, thanks to the recent release of the appropriately titled Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes, fans' scattered hopes for a proper series revival may not be entirely in vain. The newest release has launched to surprisingly positive reviews despite being a roguelite RTS, and one that introduces a completely original storyline to boot.

As opposed to trying to simply tap into the existing and built-in BSG audience through nostalgia and cheap callbacks, Scattered Hopes appears to be building its own player-base and simultaneously bringing in returning fans with its new approach, and it's a clear sign that the franchise has a second shot at life.

Battlestar Galactica's New Release Proves Franchise Isn't Going Anywhere

James Callis and Tricia Helfer in Battlestar Galactica

Battlestar Galactica may still be waiting for its next big television revival, but the franchise's latest video game is offering some encouraging evidence that there's plenty of life left in the iconic sci-fi universe. Released earlier this year in May, Scattered Hopes has earned a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam, with 76% of its 1,000+ user reviews being positive. The game also boasts a respectable 77 Metascore, suggesting this return has resonated with critics and players alike.

Developed by Alt Shift and published by Dotemu, Scattered Hopes is a tactical roguelite that puts players in command of a Gunstar and a fleet of survivors following the Cylons' devastating assault on the Twelve Colonies. The ultimate objective is to reunite with Admiral Adama and the Battlestar Galactica, although surviving the journey is more complicated than it sounds.

Players have to manage dwindling resources, deal with political goings-on, and contend with potential Cylon infiltrators while preparing for dangerous space battles that get progressively more challenging each run. Combat unfolds in real time, with tactical pausing that lets players coordinate their forces as they desperately prepare an FTL jump to safety. The game's roguelite structure also encourages repeated play-throughs, with new upgrades, weapons, and starting fleets becoming available as players progress.

Although Scattered Hopes isn't necessarily a sign that a full-scale television revival is imminent, its positive reception demonstrates that there's still a dedicated audience for Battlestar Galactica that's hungry for new projects. More importantly, it suggests the franchise has the potential to thrive in the gaming space, even after years of uncertainty surrounding its future on television.

You Can Try Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes For Free

If you're a BSG fan but don't consider yourself a hardcore gamer, or are on the fence about playing a roguelite RTS, Scattered Hopes offers players a free demo to get a taste of what's on offer, which you can try out on Steam here. The demo features an extensive tutorial before putting you in command of the Gunstar Callisto and the Wanderers fleet. Players can experience tactical combat, fleet management, and the first four of the game's twelve sectors, culminating in a major Cylon boss encounter. Better yet, your progress carries over if you decide to purchase the full game.

Further, Scattered Hopes' development team is extremely active and has released several hotfixes and patches since launch, indicating a genuine commitment to addressing player feedback. Updates have introduced Fast Mode, Photo Mode, balancing adjustments, and numerous quality-of-life improvements. The October 15 update also introduced new faction opportunities, expanded tutorials, and Mac support. Although the developers described this as their last major patch, their post-launch support has already helped refine the experience considerably.

After years of disappointments, canceled revival plans, and uncertainty surrounding the franchise's future, Scattered Hopes feels like a much-needed breath of fresh air. It might not be the television revival fans have been hoping for, but its positive reception demonstrates that Battlestar Galactica still has enormous potential beyond television, particularly when entrusted to developers who understand what makes the franchise special.