From Barren Rock to Paradise
Introduction
In the survival game Planet Crafter, you take on the role of a terraforming engineer entrusted with converting an uninhabitable alien world into a habitable paradise rather than clinging to life. Though it’s simple to make parallels with the well-known underwater survival game Subnautica, Planet Crafter provides a unique experience that centers more on long-term base construction and environmental management than thrilling underwater exploration.
This review will examine Planet Crafter’s main gameplay loop, point out its advantages and disadvantages, and provide an assessment of whether or not it should be added to your collection of video games.
The Terraforming Grind: From Toxic Rock to Tropical Paradise
It’s a startling awakening when you arrive on the strange planet. Because of the thin and poisonous atmosphere, you must use oxygen canisters to navigate the hostile terrain. Due to a lack of resources, the early game is all about scrounging for materials to make simple tools and take up residence.
Expanding your base, learning about new technologies, and acquiring resources make up the main gameplay loop. You’ll be able to control three important environmental variables as you advance: heat, oxygen, and pressure. You may gradually turn the red wasteland into a verdant, breathable environment by placing generators and terraforming buildings correctly.
There’s no denying the satisfaction that comes from seeing the globe change around you. It’s satisfying to watch the clouds move in, the skies turn blue, and alien plants emerge from the earth. As you make the planet more habitable, new challenges and biomes become available in the game, which has a solid sense of progression.
Building a Home on a Hostile World
With the help of Planet Crafter’s strong base-building system, you can build a wide range of structures, from more ornamental components to necessary oxygen generators and heaters. Designing and growing your base as needed is made simple by the simple and intuitive building mechanics.
Although the base structure isn’t as intricate as some specific building games, it still serves as a strong basis for the main gameplay loop. An additional level of immersion is added by being able to personalize your base and see it expand along with the world.
Cooperative Colony Building: A Fun Diversion, But Not Essential
In the co-op mode of Planet Crafter, which debuted with version 1.0, up to ten players can collaborate on a single planet. The main gameplay remains largely unchanged even if co-op play can be a great way to share the experience with others.
Gathering materials and finishing tasks considerably faster with a larger team. This may cut the playtime and give the game an easier feel. For those seeking a strategic and in-depth co-op game, Planet Crafter may not be the perfect fit. For those who prefer teamwork and splitting the workload of terraforming a planet, it’s a great feature.
A World of Contrasts: Beautiful Music Meets Bland Graphics
The universe of Planet Crafter is not without its paradoxes. The artwork in the game is unique, emphasizing vivid colors and desolate settings. It has a certain appeal even though it might not have the same level of graphic fidelity as some AAA games. The environment lacks the organic sense of some other games, and the world design can occasionally feel repetitious.
Conversely, the sound design is the clear winner. The music is really amazing, and the sound effects and background noises combine to create a genuine extraterrestrial environment. The dramatic and lovely soundtrack effectively conveys the immensity and loneliness of space travel. One of the best parts of the game is the soundtrack, which enhances the whole experience.
Not Without Its Flaws: A Slow Start and Lack of Challenge
Despite having an engaging gameplay loop, Planet Crafter has many drawbacks. It can be tedious and slow in the beginning of the game as you try to collect enough resources to advance significantly. The absence of direct danger can also give the game a feeling of insignificance, particularly when contrasted with games like Subnautica where danger seems to lurk around every turn.
The game’s speed may often be erratic, with extended periods of plodding advancement interspersed with abrupt bursts of new technology being unlocked. The game may feel easier than intended because of the resource allocation, which seems a little too generous, especially in cooperative mode.
Conclusion
Players that prefer slow-paced base building and environment modification will find Planet Crafter to be a unique and enjoyable game. With its emphasis on terraforming and environmental change, it carves out its own niche even though it doesn’t unseat Subnautica as the reigning master of underwater survival games.
If you’re seeking for a visually stunning and soothing game where you can decompress and alter an alien universe on your own.
Hope this article on Planet Crafter Review is helpful. If you have questions regarding this article, feel free to comment down below.
FAQs
Planet Crafter is a survival game with a twist. Instead of just trying to survive, you play as a terraformer tasked with transforming a barren alien world into a thriving planet.
There are similarities, but Planet Crafter is a more peaceful experience. There are no hostile creatures or dangers to worry about, just the challenge of terraforming the planet.
