Auralux: Constellations
- August 26, 2016
- Grove Street Games
- 5h median play time
Auralux: Constellations is the sequel to the popular minimalistic real-time strategy game, Auralux. With new gameplay constellations and multiplayer modes, players can now explore different strategies and challenge friends in local or online games. Featuring a calming ambiance and vibrant graphics, this game offers a relaxing yet challenging experience as players expand, upgrade, and conquer entire systems.
Reviews
- The game is addictive and offers a great mix of strategy and fun.
- Graphics and sound design are beautiful, enhancing the overall experience.
- The ability to adjust game speed adds a new layer of strategy and keeps gameplay engaging.
- Controls are often unresponsive, making it frustrating to select units and execute commands.
- Many levels are locked behind a paywall, making it feel like a demo rather than a full game.
- The AI tends to team up against the player, making some levels feel unfair and overly difficult.
- graphics415 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and improvement over the original, with many users noting the stunning 3D visuals and vibrant colors. While some players appreciate the aesthetic upgrades, a few have mentioned that the new graphics can sometimes obscure gameplay clarity or feel overly complex. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant enhancement, contributing positively to the game's appeal and immersive experience.
“The graphics are amazing for such a small game.”
“Beautiful graphics and effects, improved game controls, same great concept and a lot more levels.”
“The graphics are beautiful and it's challenging.”
“The graphics are terrible: too fancy, plus you can't tell how strong you are.”
“I can't see the game; it's like the graphics on the game are broken. My phone is a Samsung Galaxy 3.”
“Only thing I can moan about is I preferred the flat graphics style from the old game to the new fancy tilt view.”
- gameplay386 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its addictive nature, strategic depth, and improved graphics compared to the original. However, numerous players have expressed frustration with the controls, which can be unresponsive or cumbersome, detracting from the overall experience. While the introduction of new mechanics and varied challenges has been well-received, some users feel that the game can become repetitive or overly reliant on microtransactions for additional content.
“The gameplay is amazing, very addictive.”
“I love the gameplay and it brought back a lot of memories.”
“The gameplay is smooth and really clean.”
“The controls, though, make actual gameplay frustrating at times.”
“I still love the core gameplay mechanics, but the buggy touch controls ruin any enjoyment for me.”
“Gameplay is slow and the controls are tedious; also, the free version only has one 'character' unlocked, requiring purchase of the rest of the game... good concept, poor execution.”
- monetization175 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 42 % negative mentions
Overall, players appreciate the absence of ads in the game, viewing it as a significant advantage that enhances the gameplay experience. However, many express frustration with the monetization model, particularly the reliance on microtransactions to unlock additional levels, with some preferring a model that includes ads in exchange for free content. While the lack of intrusive ads is celebrated, there is a common desire for more accessible content without the need for costly in-app purchases.
“No ads is a big bonus and the only microtransaction is simply more maps.”
“Love the purchase model too: no ads, no in-game stuff you have to buy.”
“Mobile gameplay at its best, no ads and happy to spend money on the fairly priced extra levels.”
“I'd happily pay 5 bucks to support a game that's as fun and enjoyable as this, but not at that price tag and not with something that reeks of microtransactions.”
“Fun game, and would be better if levels were not locked behind microtransactions.”
“It's a fun game, but the desperate cash grab is frustrating.”
- music167 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the integration of musical elements with game mechanics, such as sound effects that correspond to actions, creating a captivating atmosphere. While some find the music repetitive, the majority agree that it complements the beautiful visuals and engaging gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The music is fantastic (I cannot stress this enough)!”
“Beautifully relaxing, with pleasant music options.”
“The music and graphics are beautiful and relaxing.”
“The only problems for me were the awful music loops and the slow speed, which were boring.”
“Music gets annoying after the first 10 levels.”
“My only quip is that none of the sounds that can be chosen for 'space battles' really seem to fit the gameplay and music.”
- stability45 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frustratingly buggy touch controls that often lead to incorrect selections and unresponsive gameplay. Many players find the interface and multiplayer features unreliable, with glitches rendering the game unplayable on certain devices. While some users have experienced smooth performance, the overall consensus highlights significant issues with stability that detract from the enjoyment of the game.
“No bugs, no glitches, smooth playstyle, easy controls.”
“Runs great.”
“Smooth controls, beautiful sound and visuals, and no glitches as of yet!”
“I still love the core gameplay mechanics, but the buggy touch controls ruin any enjoyment for me.”
“Very frustrating and buggy; you circle your units, click a planet, and 4 times out of 5 the wrong spot will be selected.”
“Loved the original Auralux and came here in hope of new levels and challenges, but the controls are so buggy it's completely unplayable.”
- replayability30 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits strong replayability, with many users praising its challenging levels, varied gameplay mechanics, and the ability to improve personal bests. While some players noted limitations in free content and strategic depth, the majority found the game addictive and engaging, making it worth revisiting over time. Enhanced graphics and new features further contribute to its lasting appeal.
“It shows you your fastest time beating each level, encouraging replayability.”
“Fun game and good replay value since the AI do different things each time.”
“Dangerously addictive gameplay, plenty of replayability.”
“This means that even after purchase, not all levels are playable.”
“Zero replay value and the free aspect is lacking.”
“It's good, just costs too much for little replayability.”
- story19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is generally seen as minimal, with players expressing a desire for a more developed narrative and character-driven elements. While the gameplay is enjoyable and strategic, many reviews highlight frustration over locked missions that require payment after a few initial levels, detracting from the overall experience. Despite the lack of a deep storyline, some players appreciate the competitive nature and fun of the game, hoping for future updates that could enhance the narrative.
“Simple, strategic, challenging, addicting... even without a strewn out story (I love story-driven games), this game holds its own.”
“I loved the first one and was waiting for new levels; they did better than I hoped. Thank you, producers! Maybe make a story of why they're fighting; that would be cool with characters, etc.”
“The game is awesome for people who are competitive. It has online multiplayer and a campaign story. I wish that the creators made more... just wow, they wowed me.”
“Pay to unlock 'storyline' maps pretty early into the game.”
“After a very few missions, meaning the beginning of the game, you have to pay for more missions.”
“The only thing is they let you beat the first constellation then the first mission of the second, then you have to pay to play the rest of the game.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance, even on weaker mobile devices, and it effectively manages battery usage. However, some users noted that after updates, particularly post-Android 8.0, performance issues arose, and there is a sense of repetition in the levels. The visual style and gameplay are generally well-received, contributing to a positive gaming experience.
“Really good game in that category, and really good performance with weaker mobile.”
“Runs smoothly, looks good, challenging and fun.”
“Excellently fun time killer, does not kill battery much from excellent optimization.”
“(perhaps limited to only a handful of them being selectable at any one time to keep complexity/performance manageable)”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it consistently funny and entertaining. Many users express their enjoyment through laughter, indicating that the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to their overall experience. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances player engagement.
“Very funny game.”
“Hilarious to play!”
“Bought it for the PC when it first came out... I'm so addicted, it's funny lol.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting feelings of power and satisfaction. However, frustrations with touch response issues detract from the overall experience, leading to a mix of enjoyment and annoyance.
“This game has made me feel the most power and satisfaction I've ever felt.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its soothing soundtrack and relaxing graphics, creating an enjoyable and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the intriguing and atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall gameplay.
“It's got a nice atmosphere to it; the soundtrack is soothing to the ear.”
“Very enjoyable strategy and very atmospheric, with relaxing graphics and sound.”
“Super atmospheric and intriguing.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be frustrating, with slow gameplay and tedious controls. The limited free version, which only unlocks one character, adds to the grind, making progression feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience. Overall, while the concept is promising, the execution leaves much to be desired.
“Gameplay is slow and the controls are tedious. The free version only has one character unlocked, requiring purchase of the rest of the game. Good concept, poor execution.”
“The 'insane' levels become a tedious exercise in frustration.”