Astrox: Hostile Space Excavation

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 383 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Astrox: Hostile Space Excavation Game Cover
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Astrox: Hostile Space Excavation is a real-time space mining game with combat elements. Players mine asteroids and other celestial bodies for resources, while battling hostile aliens and rival companies. The game features procedurally generated levels, a variety of spaceships and weapons, and a crafting system for upgrading and customizing your equipment.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 383 reviews
gameplay15 positive mentions
grinding15 negative mentions
  • Fun and relaxing gameplay reminiscent of EVE Online without the PVP aspect.
  • Highly customizable galaxy settings allow for varied gameplay experiences.
  • Simple controls and mechanics make it accessible for casual players.
  • Repetitive gameplay can lead to boredom after a few hours.
  • Limited depth and lack of a compelling storyline or character development.
  • Graphics and UI could use improvement, especially for modern resolutions.
  • gameplay69 mentions

    The gameplay of Astrox: Hostile Space Excavation is characterized by its simplicity and casual nature, offering a blend of mining, ship upgrades, and combat mechanics reminiscent of Eve Online, but with less complexity and excitement. Players appreciate the solid gameplay loop and customization options, though some find it repetitive and lacking depth after a few playthroughs. Overall, it provides a relaxing experience with a focus on progression, making it suitable for those seeking a low-stress gaming session.

    • “The gameplay is smooth and simple, while still allowing for a large variety of gameplay styles and approaches, and there is no hard limit to your potential for growth, just those imposed by your patience and carelessness.”
    • “The developer can be proud that he built a pretty solid gameplay loop into this one.”
    • “With calming music, a pleasant gameplay loop, and replayability, I would say this is a great buy for someone wanting to sit down and chill.”
    • “It's a weird mix of a bunch of conflicting mechanics.”
    • “The design of Astrox has clearly been influenced by EVE Online, but its gameplay is hugely thinner and qualitatively different.”
    • “Indeed, even though people have been playing EVE for years, the longevity of Astrox is more likely measured in terms of days since there is very little variation in its gameplay.”
  • story65 mentions

    The story in Astrox is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many players noting that it consists mainly of a brief tutorial and a simple premise of mining to pay off fines. Reviewers express disappointment over the absence of a compelling narrative or engaging quests, leading to a repetitive grind without meaningful objectives. Overall, the game is seen as a casual experience that allows for freedom in gameplay but fails to deliver a substantial storyline.

    • “At first glance, it looks like something you would play on your phone, but as you get pulled into the simple story dropped before you, you begin to see layers and mechanics one would not expect from such an innocuous game.”
    • “But if you enjoy freedom and have fun creating your own story, then take a chance on Astrox.”
    • “Ironically, this game reminds me of Skyrim just without the dramatic storyline but enough to do to keep your coffers filled and ship pointed in any number of directions.”
    • “Astrox has a nearly non-existent plot line, and very little depth.”
    • “There is no storyline here, really.”
    • “The tutorial barely offered a plot, and once that was done I could see no other plot even try to develop.”
  • graphics55 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as a mixed bag, with many reviewers noting that while they are not groundbreaking, they are sufficient and visually appealing for the game's style. Some players appreciate the simple yet charming visuals, particularly the backgrounds and space scenery, while others feel the graphics are outdated and could benefit from improvements. Overall, the game is considered visually decent, especially for lower-end systems, but lacks the polish and detail found in more modern titles.

    • “I was impressed by how nice the visuals were for a game that could be run with an Intel Core i5 laptop.”
    • “Considering the day and age we live in with graphics as advanced as they are today, I can honestly say that this game looks great for what it is; the detail to the objects is wonderfully done, whether you are close to them or far away.”
    • “The graphics for ships and stations all look great together, and yes, everyone likes more detailed ones, but if and when Momoguru does the detail work, I hope he offers a low-res (original art) and high-res (new detailed art) options.”
    • “Even the graphics are very outdated, so it's not like you can at least enjoy a spectacular space scenery.”
    • “The graphics are like 00s era, but sufficient.”
    • “My only real con is the graphics - before I get to this, I want to point out that this game looks good for all intents and purposes, but as far as entities go (ships, space stations, asteroids) they look alright, but feel a little lackluster.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate its calming and atmospheric qualities that enhance the exploration experience, others find it too loud compared to sound effects or lacking in variety, prompting them to turn it off in favor of their own playlists. Despite some technical issues like stuttering, many agree that the soundtrack contributes positively to the overall ambiance, making it enjoyable for those seeking a relaxing gameplay experience. However, there are calls for more diverse tracks to enrich the auditory experience further.

    • “With calming music, a pleasant gameplay loop, and replayability, I would say this is a great buy for someone wanting to sit down and chill.”
    • “There is soothing background music that plays which really adds to the exploration and mining feature of the game, it does the game justice and makes it much more appealing and enjoyable.”
    • “The soundtrack is so calm, atmospheric, and relaxing that it sends you into a feeling of false security.”
    • “The music is a lot louder than the weapon noises... I had to turn the music volume way down so I could hear when I was being shot at (in case I looked away from the screen).”
    • “While it is basic, it's a good time waster and you're probably better off turning off the in-game music and playing your own (to me the music isn't that good, but hey, the guy tried).”
    • “My only complaint is that the music lacks variety, so I turn it off and play my own spacey music through Windows Media Player.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some players finding it high due to extensive customization options and procedural generation, allowing for unique experiences in each playthrough. However, others feel that the game can become repetitive after a few sessions, leading to diminished interest. Overall, while there is potential for replayability, it largely depends on individual player preferences for challenge and customization.

    • “I think the replayability is definitely there for people who enjoy challenging themselves as well as those who just want an easy, casual space-flight experience.”
    • “It has lots of replay value due to the tunable settings and randomization; no two games are alike!”
    • “Not only is Astrox almost infinitely replayable, it's one of those games that makes you want to come back and play it again a year later.”
    • “There is no replay value.”
    • “Some replayability, but nothing much new after playing it 4-5 times, at which point you will be an expert on the game.”
    • “Minimal descriptions, storyline, depth, and UI give it a fairly poor replayability.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    The grinding aspect in the game is described as both tedious and soothing, with players noting that while it can feel repetitive—especially in activities like mining—it also provides a sense of progress and relaxation. Many reviewers highlight the necessity of patience for advancement, comparing the experience to farming in games like Diablo or Borderlands, where grinding for rare drops becomes a central activity. Overall, while the grinding can be excessive, it is often viewed as an integral and enjoyable part of the gameplay experience.

    • “Overall, I recommend this game with the caveat that it is a space mining game and therefore requires some level of patience and grinding.”
    • “One of the most repetitive, grindy games I've ever played.”
    • “After just 11 hours, it feels like I've seen the majority of the game already and that additional advancement will require a lot of grinding, but it's enjoyable and the price is right.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a calming and immersive soundtrack that adapts to different environments, enhancing the overall experience. While the sound design is somewhat limited for a space setting, it effectively contributes to a unique and enjoyable ambiance. Players appreciate the customizable nature of the game, allowing them to tailor the atmosphere to their preferences, whether they seek relaxation or excitement.

    • “The soundtrack is so calm, atmospheric, and relaxing that it sends you into a feeling of false security.”
    • “I've really enjoyed the slow-paced, relaxed atmosphere of the game; you can, of course, change that if you like. The game is so customizable that you can pretty much tailor it to have whatever experience you wish.”
    • “Graphics are pretty decent and have their own unique style, and the music gives a good atmosphere.”
  • stability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with users reporting minimal glitches and manageable difficulty spikes. While some players noted occasional bugs, they appreciated the developer's responsiveness and the game's ability to run smoothly on various hardware, including older machines.

    • “There were a few difficult moments (taking on my first pirate hideout without sufficient shields, traveling through deadspace for the first time), but nothing frustrating, and I experienced no glitches or unfair difficulty spikes.”
    • “Easy to learn and runs great on any machine.”
    • “Top marks to the dev for making something that runs great on old/low-end machines.”
    • “Great game 9/10, I loved it, but at times it was a little buggy. For a startup dev, I couldn't ask for anything more.”
    • “The developer was chatting with the community daily, and seeing his improvements and successes as this fantastic game grew from a buggy nothing to the realized dream of not only Masula's vision, but the combined vision of a very engaged audience was a real treat.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game is well-optimized, offering various resolution options and both full screen and window modes, ensuring it can run on almost any PC. The intuitive interface allows players to efficiently customize their ships, enhancing gameplay without overwhelming complexity.

    • “In the menu, we can choose full screen or window mode, and we have numerous resolution options to choose from. This game is properly optimized, and almost any PC should be able to run it.”
    • “This gives a high performance boost and is actually not a big problem.”
    • “The interface is simple and intuitive, but the game offers just enough complexity to keep you thinking about how to make your ship more efficient and optimized to fit your gameplay.”
    • “In the menu, we can choose full screen or window mode, and we have numerous resolution options to choose from. However, the game still struggles with optimization on lower-end PCs.”
    • “Despite the various settings available, the game suffers from performance issues that hinder the overall experience.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Reviewers find the humor in the game to be highlighted by the amusing "difficulty %" in galaxy creation, while the absence of voice acting is seen as a positive, enhancing immersion despite missing the comedic charm found in other titles like Skyrim.

    • “The galaxy creation 'difficulty %' is hilarious.”
    • “There's no voice acting, which to me is more immersive, as I remember Skyrim characters were funny... at first.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is praised for its depth and progression, appealing to patient gamers who enjoy working towards a clear end goal.

    • “It's well worth the cost for anyone who is a patient gamer that likes to work toward progressive character development around an end goal.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model of this alternative to EVE Online is praised for avoiding microtransactions and pay-to-win elements, appealing to players seeking a more balanced and fair gaming experience.

    • “An alternative to EVE Online for people who are tired of microtransactions and pay-to-win aspects.”
    • “An alternative for EVE Online for people who are tired of the microtransactions and pay-to-win aspects.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
7-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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