You are in for a Space Simulation Survival manager unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
Some key points that this game offers:
- Sandbox Mode.
- Open World Environment.
- Countless Hours of fun.
- Massive Research list.
- Unlimited freedom.
- Colony has a very unique dynamic; you start with the bare basics but you can build your colony into a futuristic empire with the most advanced equipment and gear that there is.
- Indie Gem 5/5.
Gameplay & Controls:
The game is played in combination with the mouse & keyboard, a wide variety of keys are mapped to shortcuts to make life easier for you and they can be remapped to your liking. Getting used to the initial controls and handling does take some time, but I assure you, it is one joyous ride.
As for gameplay this is truly a Survival game at its heart, with strong managing elements, crafting and building. You start out with three Duplicants and from there it is one hardship at a time, struggling, building and surviving until you no longer just survive, but thrive.
The game has one massive research list, your available technology starts at the bottom and as you progress you unlock the means to build and craft stronger and higher technologically advanced structured and resources. Thus, making life easier and more convenient for you all the while unlocking the means to further expand and explore this strange world.
There is a lot of managing in this game, from the very air you breathe to the waste water from the restrooms and showers, it all has to be managed and controlled. You literally have the reign over everything in this world. Getting past the learning curve will take some time, but each second spent in this game is pure joy.
The game may still be in Early Access but it is already a massive success, just like Klei Entertainment’s previous titles, they take into account what the fans say. Threads and support forums are available to log any issues and bugs that we may experience. We can also mention ideas and concepts to them. The game has thus far received regular updates and fixes, constantly improving it, rebalancing aspects that do not work well with the game. It has been one joyous experience to see how this game has grown since its first launch on Steam.
Graphics:
The graphics are beautiful in their own way, very well drawn and beautifully displayed. The game truly is very pleasing to look at. The animations have all been done really well to give that realistic look. Character creation was done just as well; each model is carefully drawn, giving them all a very unique look and appearance.
The same can be said for all the critters that inhabit this strange world. In their own unique way Klei has once again surprised us with some beautiful wildlife. The game world itself is truly a work of art, each element, whether it is a gas, fluid or solid can be clearly distinguished from one another. The motion of the gasses and fluids are beautiful to watch.
The game has several settings that can be adjusted to suit your machine’s needs.
Sounds:
Another brilliantly executed aspect in this gem is that every in game sound adds to the overall quality of this game. They all not only add entertainment to the game but also add to the overall realism that the game world provides us.
The background music is very soothing, it adds to the atmosphere of the game, further enhancing your experience. The sound truly is one of the main aspects that make this game so great. From the little things like the sounds from your Duplicants, or the noises coming off your structures, they all add to the game, giving your colony that unique and realistic feel.
Under the settings panel we have full volume control to set and adjust the volume to our needs.
Replayability:
Oxygen Not Included offers thus far two game modes, Survival and No Sweat, each can be played standardly or with the Sandbox feature ticked, thus giving you unlimited freedom in your game time.
The game truly has a lot to offer; the more time you invest into your colony the bigger and better it gets. This is a game you simply won’t outplay in a few days.
MGR Gaming’s Conclusions:
Spoilers Ahead:
Oxygen Not Included truly sets a new bar in survival management; Don’t Starve hits us with that intense difficulty wall that had us dying over and over again. Here we can still die but most of the time we can prevent it or come back from it.
As I briefly mentioned, the game has a lot to offer, in the beginning you start out with three Duplicants and you start building the basics of what is needed to live and survive, and as you expand and research new technologies, better and more improved means of survival becomes available.
In the end your Duplicants can go about travelling with Jet Packs with automated conveyors pulling and sending all your mined minerals to where you need them to be. That is a small tip of just how expansive the game can get as you build up your colony.
For an Early Access game Oxygen Not Included has performed very well. Sure, there has been bugs and issues throughout its young life but they have all been tackled and taken care of by a very dedicated team of Developers. Who once again have gone out of their way to deliver the next masterpiece.
Additional Info:
Platforms: PC: Mac: Linux
Genre: Survival: Base Building: Resource Management: Colony Sim: Space: 2D: Space Sim
Censor Rating: N/A
Age Rating: N/A
Developer: Klei Entertainment
Publisher: Klei Entertainment
Release Date: 18 May 2017
MGR Gaming Steam Curator:
https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32364038/
