Autonauts

I found Autonauts to be tedious at first, then really fun, then exhausting. It’s a fun challenge, but in the end, I just wanted to build a robot to tell all the others what to do so I could sit down and read a book.

79%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

grinding, stability

94% User Score Based on 3,816 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $2.19

Buy NowGet on Steam$19.99

Buy NowGet on PS Store$3.99

About

Autonauts is a single-player strategy game with stunning mechanics, graphics, and humor, but can be quite grinding and buggy. As "Automationauts," your goal is to colonize planets by building automated factories that utilize local resources. The game offers a good soundtrack and continues to be updated, with the latest prototype version being 21.2 .

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,824 reviews

gameplay94 positive mentions

grinding323 negative mentions

The game is fun, engaging, and addictive, with a unique programming mechanic that allows players to automate tasks using robots.
The graphics are cute and charming, creating a relaxing atmosphere for players as they build and manage their colonies.
The game offers a lot of content and replayability, with a deep tech tree and various production chains to explore.

The programming interface can be clunky and tedious, requiring players to manually demonstrate actions for bots to learn, which can become repetitive.
The game lacks sufficient quality of life features, such as better bot management tools and the ability to copy/paste commands easily.
Progression can feel slow and grindy, especially in the later stages, leading to potential frustration for players.

grinding
327 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
99%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that while the initial stages can be enjoyable, the gameplay becomes increasingly tedious and repetitive as they progress. Players often feel that the need to constantly manage and program numerous bots leads to a grindy experience, particularly in the late game, where tasks can feel overly complex and time-consuming. However, some players appreciate the challenge and find satisfaction in optimizing their automation systems, suggesting that the grind can be rewarding for those who enjoy the genre.
- “The game also has a lot of programming assist (if you select a 'pick up x' instruction to repeat, it defaults to 'repeat until hands full' for example) and easy ability to copy and paste programs between multiple bots, so it's not tedious.”
- “I may have not reached endgame as of writing this review, but one big problem about this game is that it is very, and I mean very, grindy once you almost reach the end.”
- “The game has an interesting idea and is fun and casual, but does start to feel a bit tedious or boring after a while, especially when trying to complete everything.”
- “But after a while, I felt that all I'm doing is just dealing with the same grind of doing another workshop or farm or kitchen or factory... and it's almost the same thing every time, changing the target that you get with the bot mk2 helps, but even with that, you find yourself just doing the same stuff and it gets really tedious after a while.”
gameplay
312 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a unique blend of automation and programming mechanics, allowing players to control robots to perform various tasks. While many find the core loop engaging and satisfying, some criticize it for becoming tedious over time, particularly due to a lack of variety in mechanics and quality of life features being locked behind progression. Overall, the game offers a deep and complex experience that appeals to fans of automation and puzzle games, though it may not be for everyone due to its repetitive nature and initial learning curve.
- “The gameplay itself is really fun, if you also like logic-based automation-chain puzzles, like you'd see in Satisfactory or RimWorld.”
- “But don't let that be daunting; the game seamlessly feeds you lessons as you engage with its mechanics.”
- “The ability to program the 'bots that do all the hard work for you provides the game with deceptive depth: it's easy to get things working at a basic level, but it's fun and challenging to find ever more clever and creative ways to improve the efficiency of your mechanical helpers.”
- “I was still in the beginning of the game, but I got the feeling that no matter how far you work in your automation, the gameplay still tends to be quite tedious and only got worse.”
- “Many quality of life features are locked behind the tech tree, which just makes gameplay tedious and makes it feel like a chore.”
- “It is just fundamentally wrong to make the core gameplay tedious in such a manner.”
graphics
296 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The graphics of the game are predominantly described as cute and charming, featuring a simplistic, low-poly aesthetic that appeals to both younger audiences and adults. While some players appreciate the vibrant and endearing visuals, others find the overly cutesy style patronizing or too childish, suggesting a desire for a more mature art direction. Overall, the graphics are seen as functional and fitting for the game's casual nature, enhancing the enjoyable gameplay experience without being overly distracting.
- “The graphics are beautifully done, the sounds are funny but mind-numbing, but mods can take care of that.”
- “The early grind can get a bit mind-numbing, but not enough to ruin the game, the graphics are high quality and adorable, the sound design is lovely, and the mechanics are so unique!!”
- “The graphics are absolutely adorable!”
- “I almost refunded because I really don't care at all for the childish graphical style and as a software engineer, the 'programming' is extremely simple.”
- “I have to make a comment on the chosen art style... it kind of looks like something made for preschoolers.”
- “The art style is cutesy, but it is overly cutesy to the point where you might start puking rainbows.”
music
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
58%
14%
The music in the game is generally described as relaxing and charming, complementing its cute visuals; however, many players find it repetitive and lacking in variety, with only one track playing on loop. While some appreciate the soothing atmosphere it creates, others feel that the limited soundtrack detracts from long-term enjoyment, leading to a desire for more musical diversity and sound control options. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance but leaves room for improvement.
- “The music is so relaxing, really makes you forget how long you've been doing something.”
- “Amazing art style coupled with nice music makes a relaxing scene.”
- “The game has an amazing art style, great soundtrack, and cute interactions between characters.”
- “The only downsides are the repeating soundtrack, the lack of multiplayer options (maybe in the future?) and the super cuteness.”
- “The background music doesn't have enough variation for over 100 hours of gameplay, as you pretty much stay in the same map forever.”
- “One con I have is the music; it's the same track on loop and can get grating at times, but turning it off would kill the mood of the game. If it had more variations, it would pump the score on this one.”
optimization
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
67%
9%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for allowing players to run hundreds, even thousands, of bots simultaneously with minimal performance issues, making it a standout in the genre. However, some players noted that while the performance is generally good, there are occasional stutters and optimization challenges, particularly when scaling up operations. Quality of life improvements and better supply chain optimization are suggested to enhance the experience further.
- “On a side note, the optimization of this game is shocking to me; I'm able to have almost 100 bots running simultaneously with little to no performance impact. It's an impressive feat.”
- “The optimization is certainly excellent, considering you can have thousands of bots running around with no slowdown.”
- “It is very satisfying to just sit back and watch your bots do your bidding once you get a complex workflow optimized.”
- “There is very little optimization since it's easier to just throw more bots at your problems than it is to make things work more effectively by tweaking the process to make it less labor-intensive.”
- “The main negative is just some optimization issues that I didn't really encounter until I started a new game with the intent of scaling way up from the get-go.”
- “There are some interesting ideas here, but this game could use some quality of life improvements, better supply chain optimization, and so on.”
stability
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
85%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting a range of minor glitches and bugs, particularly related to bot programming and interface issues. While some players have experienced a relatively bug-free experience, others note frequent crashes, freezing, and visual glitches, especially in late-game scenarios. Overall, the game is seen as needing further polish and regular updates to address these stability concerns, but many find it enjoyable despite the issues.
- “It's polished and bug free, and there's a lot to do and unlock.”
- “I'm honestly impressed that the game is as bug free and runs as good as it does with all the stuff going on.”
- “Otherwise it is fun, bug free and seems to have a ton of content to explore.”
- “The game suffers several minor glitches such as items becoming invisible or fences becoming transparent like a blueprint.”
- “But right now basically early access at best: it's buggy, has a clunky UI that hinders more than it helps sometimes, lacks instruction and tooltips for many things, and is not feature complete - you will get stopped at level 4 and be unable to continue.”
- “The game is fun at first but the lag is awful and the 'programming' is buggy and eventually becomes frustrating.”
replayability
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
56%
11%
The game offers significant replayability, particularly for fans of automation and efficiency optimization, with many players enjoying multiple playthroughs enhanced by mods and ongoing developer support. However, some users note that the slow pace and certain gameplay issues may limit its overall replay value. Despite these concerns, the potential for future expansions and updates keeps the experience fresh and engaging.
- “This is a game with a lot of replayability and automation fun, especially with the mods available in the workshop.”
- “The game is an automation-based style with a lot of content, providing significant replayability.”
- “Additionally, it seems the devs are actively working on adding and refining gameplay, giving this a huge replayability factor.”
- “The replayability in this game isn't incredibly high (unless you're like me and want to make your efficiency better and better), but the devs are working on a combat expansion which will just make an already perfect game even better!”
- “Still, as I said, I really recommend it and I did love it, but be prepared to be extremely patient and organized. I don't think that this game is made to be replayable as the pace of it all is so slow.”
- “But it does still have issues with clunky controls, plenty of bugs, an abandoned story/tech tree, unbalanced resource chains, and little replayability.”
story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
71%
13%
The game's story is minimal and often feels non-existent, with players likening it to a sandbox experience similar to Minecraft, where the narrative is largely self-created. While there is a light story accompanying resource progression, it is overshadowed by gameplay issues such as clunky controls and bugs, leading to a sense of repetitiveness and lack of engagement over time. Overall, the narrative aspect is considered weak and underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more depth.
- “Alas, your interstellar mission unfortunately failed to pack anything except you, the purple-haired autonaut, and a few creepy colonist 'eggs.' Silly interstellar colonization mission planners!”
- “The progression and unlocking of resources and their various tiers is also accompanied by a (very light) story, so it's not entirely sandbox.”
- “Well, there may not be an overarching story like there is in most modern games, but it is a lot like Minecraft, in the sense that you really write the story, and that is what I mean by heavy in terms of content.”
- “But it does still have issues with clunky control, plenty of bugs, abandoned story/tech tree, unbalanced resource chains, and little replayability.”
- “Story: nothing.”
- “And really, you didn't even need a research mechanic; the story makes the most sense if we already have all the knowledge we need and just need to gather supplies and build up infrastructure.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its charming and whimsical animations, particularly of the quirky robot minions engaging in amusing tasks like building and resource gathering. Players appreciate the cute cartoon theme and the lighthearted approach to gameplay, which combines fun with educational elements like algorithmic thinking. Overall, the game is noted for its delightful humor that enhances the overall experience.
- “Laughing in the face of thermodynamics, your negative-entropy clockwork robots will soon be toddling about the map, chopping trees, cutting planks, digging holes and occasionally powering one another up, all in the name of producing increasingly elaborate food, shelter, toys, and more for your insatiable settlers.”
- “Seriously fun game with loads of good humor baked in.”
- “Charming, educational, humorous, and great fun to play.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently highlight the game's emotional impact, describing it as a "wholesome" experience that fosters feelings of joy and curiosity. Many express surprise at how much they enjoy it, noting its potential to uplift spirits and provide a comforting escape, akin to the addictive nature of games like Factorio. Overall, the emotional tone is overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing a sense of warmth and forgiveness.
- “I didn't expect to like this thing so much, but it's so wholesome and forgiving and curious.”
- “This game can cure depression with its wholesomeness.”
- “It's a good and wholesome time either way.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a peaceful and cutesy vibe, enhanced by its engaging music, which many players find enjoyable and inviting. While some may have personal preferences regarding the atmosphere, it generally fosters a relaxing experience that encourages players to return. Overall, the atmosphere is a significant draw, contributing to the game's charm and playability.
- “The atmosphere that the music creates and the enjoyment I had playing it will definitely bring me back to playing in the future.”
- “Nice peaceful atmosphere, and your only enemy is your own inability to plan properly and always stick to temporary solutions.”
- “They fit the cutesy atmosphere of the game.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect is positively noted for its effective advertising strategies, which are perceived as beneficial.