Astrox: Hostile Space Excavation

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 372 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 372 reviews
gameplay14 positive mentions
grinding15 negative mentions
  • Fun and simple space simulator with enjoyable mining and combat mechanics.
  • Highly customizable gameplay options allow players to tailor their experience.
  • Great for casual play, providing a relaxing atmosphere without the stress of multiplayer interactions.
  • Repetitive gameplay can lead to boredom after a few hours.
  • Lacks depth in story and character development, making it feel shallow.
  • Some UI issues and bugs can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay63 mentions

    The gameplay of Astrox Imperium is characterized by its simple mechanics and a solid upgrade system that keeps players engaged, offering a casual and relaxing experience reminiscent of EVE Online but with less complexity. While the game features a variety of customization options and a pleasant gameplay loop, it can become repetitive and lacks depth after a few playthroughs. Overall, it provides a straightforward, enjoyable experience for those seeking a low-stress gaming session, though some players may find it too simplistic or unpolished.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's a weird mix of a bunch of conflicting mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is relatively simple; you equip your spaceship with various modules, such as storage space, weapons, mining lasers, defenses, etc., then you go out into space and mine meteors, gathering up materials before either refining them, breaking them down, turning them into things, or selling them raw.”
    • “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.”
  • story62 mentions

    The story in Astrox is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with players describing it as nearly non-existent and primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay mechanics. The narrative revolves around a simple premise of mining to pay off fines after being arrested for "bad thoughts," but it fails to engage players, leading to a sense of aimlessness and grind. Overall, the game offers little in terms of a compelling storyline, leaving players to create their own purpose through repetitive missions and upgrades.

    • “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 your ship pointed in any number of directions.”
    • “Astrox has a nearly non-existent plot line, and very little depth.”
    • “There really isn't any plot to speak of outside of you being sent to some far-flung corner of space, armed with a small ship and given a simple instruction: 'mine meteors and avoid pirates.'”
    • “Story aspect is seriously lacking.”
  • graphics50 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as decent but not groundbreaking, with many reviewers noting a nostalgic, early 2000s aesthetic. While some appreciate the simplicity and charm of the visuals, others feel that improvements could enhance the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are considered sufficient for gameplay, with beautiful backgrounds and a unique style, but they may not satisfy players seeking cutting-edge visuals.

    • “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 music is beautiful, the graphics are gorgeous, and it is very relaxing.”
    • “The game could be improved with better graphics, which would make this game even better in my opinion.”
    • “Boasting of its ability to play on any clunker is probably no joke since the graphics are definitely a couple generations old.”
    • “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, lacking in variety, or uninteresting. Many suggest turning down the in-game music or replacing it with personal playlists for a better experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a pleasant addition, though it could benefit from more diversity and refinement.

    • “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

    Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some players find it offers extensive customization and randomization that enhances replay value, others feel it becomes repetitive after a few playthroughs. Many appreciate the ability to tailor settings for varied experiences, but some criticize the lack of depth and storyline, leading to diminished interest over time. Overall, the game caters to both casual players and those seeking challenges, but opinions on its long-term replayability vary significantly.

    • “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 players noting a few minor bugs but no significant glitches or frustrating difficulty spikes. It runs smoothly on various hardware, including older machines, and the developer's active engagement with the community has contributed to ongoing improvements.

    • “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 the ability to switch between full screen and windowed modes, ensuring it can run on a wide range of PCs. The intuitive interface allows players to efficiently customize their ships, enhancing gameplay without overwhelming complexity.

    • “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 side of things, 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.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Users find the humor in the game to be particularly effective, noting that the galaxy creation's "difficulty %" is amusing. While the absence of voice acting is seen as a positive for immersion, it contrasts with the initial humor found in characters from other games 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 in the game is praised for its depth and progression, appealing particularly to patient players who enjoy working towards a defined 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.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to stay invested.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't offer any surprises or depth.”
    • “The choices I made didn't seem to impact the character's growth, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journey.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Players appreciate the monetization model as a refreshing alternative to EVE Online, particularly for those frustrated with its microtransactions and pay-to-win elements.

    • “An alternative for 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 its 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 7 analyzed playthroughs

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