Approaching Infinity
- August 5, 2020
- IBOL
- 186h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Approaching Infinity" is a sci-fi exploration and combat game set in a procedurally generated universe. Command your ship and crew, complete quests, and encounter endless gear and challenges. The game features manageable maps, emergent gameplay, and the potential for permanent death, providing a unique and challenging experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Approaching Infinity offers a unique blend of traditional roguelike mechanics and space exploration, providing players with endless opportunities for adventure and discovery.
- The game features a clean and intuitive UI, making it accessible for both new players and veterans of the genre, while still offering depth and complexity.
- The developer is highly active and responsive to community feedback, continuously adding new content and improvements, which enhances the overall gameplay experience.
- Some players find the early game to be repetitive and lacking in variety, with similar enemy types and environments leading to a sense of monotony.
- The oxygen mechanic during planetary exploration can feel tedious, as players must frequently return to their ship to replenish oxygen, interrupting the flow of exploration.
- Certain gameplay mechanics, such as crafting and combat, may feel simplistic or underdeveloped compared to other traditional roguelikes, leaving some players wanting more depth.
- gameplay110 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay combines traditional roguelike mechanics with space exploration, offering a satisfying loop of flying, engaging in banditry, and exploring planets to level up your crew. While the mechanics are generally simple and accessible, they provide depth and emergent gameplay, allowing for various playstyles and strategies. However, some players find the gameplay repetitive over time, suggesting a need for more diverse mechanics and content to maintain engagement.
“The game combines traditional roguelike mechanics with the complexities of space exploration.”
“I find it really satisfying to go for a high-scoring run, and there's a (slightly) forgiving but well-balanced aspect of risk vs reward when it comes to venturing to systems that are a higher level than your equipment is.”
“Even after hundreds of hours of gameplay, I'm still discovering new things, and the developer continues to add and improve (sometimes within the same day, given player feedback).”
“Repetitive enemies, no real hook with gameplay mechanics.”
“Gameplay loop sector to sector is repetitive and it can take a bit before the game offers you the cool tech.”
“Maybe I'm missing the point, but I found it very repetitive with little mechanically engaging gameplay.”
- story60 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is rich and multifaceted, offering players a variety of paths and quests that intertwine exploration, combat, and trading within a dynamic economy. Players can engage with different factions, uncover lore, and experience unique narratives through diverse missions, all while enjoying a user-friendly interface that keeps essential information readily accessible. The open-world design allows for personal pacing in story progression, ensuring that each playthrough feels like a distinct sci-fi adventure.
“The mechanics are clearly explained and easy to understand, the story is interesting and has several paths you can go down, and there are a variety of activities that don't necessarily increase the complexity of the game.”
“Every playthrough is like its own neat little sci-fi story, the combat is neat, the specific officer skills are all different, it's a good game.”
“The game does start you up with a number of default quests and that's a step in the right direction, but not enough, in my opinion.”
“Though complete (as in you can beat the game), the game is still in active development with a host of new quality of life and storyline additions planned for the near future.”
“The open and infinite nature of the game lets you explore and progress the story at your own pace, so you can always leave the problem areas for future you to somehow deal with.”
- graphics54 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are described as retro and simplistic, reminiscent of traditional roguelikes, which may deter younger players but evoke nostalgia in older gamers. Despite the basic visuals, the handcrafted tiles and aesthetic variety of maps contribute to an immersive experience, with many players appreciating the depth and gameplay mechanics over graphical fidelity. Recent updates have improved the graphics and UI, making it more accessible for modern audiences while maintaining respect for its historical artwork.
“Not only are the maps aesthetically varied and interesting, but the set pieces are great, straight down to crew notes and disaster logs being relevant to the environment.”
“Like most traditional roguelikes with minimalistic (but here also with beautifully handcrafted tileset) graphics, your brain fills the missing gaps which creates its very own way of sucking you into its immersive universe.”
“It's very well executed, with charming tile graphics and good music that fits the places you're exploring.”
“Basic graphics might put younger players off, but older gamers like me will feel a warm sense of nostalgia.”
“If you can get past the graphics being very primitive, the game is very fun, has a lot of depth, and will keep you entertained.”
“I'm not a fan of the visuals or music in particular, but other than that, an extremely competent roguelike of space exploration and trading.”
- music26 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with many users describing it as "lovely" and "spectacular." However, some players noted that the limited original soundtrack may become repetitive over time, prompting them to swap in their favorite sci-fi tracks. Overall, the music effectively complements the game's exploration and action, driving an engaging vibe throughout.
“The music is just lovely, as well, though I do wish there was more.”
“I tend to tap my toes and bounce around in my chair like an idiot, while I make critical moves on supposedly deserted ships and environments, and the music drives this vibe perfectly.”
“Oh, and the soundtrack is spectacular.”
“I'm not a fan of the visuals or music in particular but other than that, an extremely competent roguelike of space exploration and trading.”
“Swap in your favorite sci-fi music (the limited OST will wear out its welcome) and bliss out to a very dense and entertaining Star Trek experience.”
“There is a real sense of discovery and like any roguelike worth its salt - minutes become hours as you obsessively try to make it that 'one bit further.' Music and graphics are neat too.”
- replayability18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game offers exceptional replayability, highlighted by its diverse classes, ships, and equipment, as well as the option for permadeath, which enhances the exploration experience. Players appreciate the depth provided by officer traits and ship configurations, making each playthrough unique. Regular updates have further improved gameplay and replay value, solidifying its status as a standout in the roguelike space exploration genre.
“A great roguelike space exploration game with quite a lot of possibilities and great replay value.”
“An open-world space exploration roguelike with tons of features and infinite replayability.”
“The large amount of traits your officers can develop, and the different equipment configurations you can put on your ship, ensure a lot of replayability with different approaches.”
“Gets numerous updates on the regular and since I've had it after it launched on Steam, it's become night and day in terms of gameplay and replay value.”
“This game makes the most of the simple 2D tile system and delivers a lot of depth and replayability.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is often described as grindy, with players noting that while this aspect isn't entirely negative, it can lead to a repetitive and tedious experience. Many reviewers feel that the grinding detracts from the challenge and enjoyment, making exploration and combat feel less engaging. Additionally, some believe that deeper game systems are locked behind a frustrating early game grind, raising questions about their worth.
“Approaching Infinity is a 'roguelike' that doesn't really understand its genre and comes across as more grindy and repetitive than challenging or fun, and has some really glaring balance issues that make it way more of a casino than a roguelike should be.”
“If there are varied and deep game systems somewhere in this game, they’ve been placed so far past the tedious early game that I wonder if they’re even worth trying to unlock.”
“Right now, it just feels like a tedious way to stretch out gameplay.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its quality and diversity, with a soundtrack that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the roguelike elements that contribute to a constantly surprising environment, featuring varied planets and a rewarding progression system. Overall, the atmosphere effectively captures the essence of classic roguelike games while incorporating unique sci-fi elements reminiscent of franchises like Star Trek.
“And the very atmospheric soundtrack does the rest.”
“The game is constantly surprising, always different in atmosphere, has many items and monsters, has a progression system that feels rewarding, plays like an authentic roguelike game where every step counts and death is always around the corner.”
“Planets have differing atmospheres and environments.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its good sense of humor, blending funny and sad elements effectively. Players appreciate the comedic aspects, especially within the context of its turn-based gameplay and control system. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that enhances the gaming experience.
“Good sense of humor.”
“If you like any kind of game with this control system or a turn-based style, you will love this... it's funny yet sad, broken but not.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a quick cash grab, with the developer leveraging the return of their game from a publisher to implement minimal updates and capitalize on sales without significant improvements.
“The developer not only got his game back from the publisher after many years, but also added some Steam functionality and made a quick cash grab out of it.”
“The monetization strategy feels like a blatant cash grab rather than a genuine effort to enhance the game experience.”
“It seems like the focus is more on squeezing money from players than on delivering quality content.”
