Autonauts vs Piratebots
- July 28, 2022
- Denki
- 30h median play time
Get on SteamCreate, automate and defend an impenetrable base. Assemble and command a Bot army to combat an entire Piratebot invasion. Build, program and battle your way through five different zones.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features significant quality-of-life improvements over the original, such as no need to recharge bots and access to the bot database from the start.
- The introduction of combat and the ability to build armies adds a new layer of gameplay that many players find enjoyable.
- The game is praised for its fun programming mechanics, making it a great way to introduce coding concepts to younger players.
- Combat mechanics are often described as clunky and frustrating, detracting from the overall experience.
- Many players feel that the game lacks enough new content to justify its standalone status, with some suggesting it should have been a DLC for the original Autonauts.
- The game can become tedious and grindy, with some players expressing disappointment in the repetitive nature of tasks and limited strategic depth.
- gameplay70 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this sequel to Autonauts introduces new combat mechanics while retaining the core resource management and bot programming elements from the original. While some players appreciate the streamlined experience and incremental goals, others feel that the combat system detracts from the fun progression and simplicity that made the first game enjoyable. Overall, the game offers a casual and engaging experience, particularly for newcomers, but may lack long-term appeal for veterans of the series.
“As a player of the original Autonauts, this game has a fun change of gameplay while also keeping original concepts!”
“It's a pretty unique and fun gameplay loop.”
“Plus the addition of combat as a unifying gameplay mechanic really ties everything together and rounds out the game as well as adding some much needed excitement that the first game was lacking.”
“The original game was really great but this sequel feels like it is gating the fun progression side that made it enjoyable behind a laborious and badly implemented set of combat mechanics.”
“There are no real changes to the gameplay at all on the non-combat side of things aside from a few minor quality of life fixes.”
“This version of the game will probably not be entertaining for a long time since you learn pretty quickly how to defeat the piratebots and the gameplay is pretty much the same every time.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with some noting it can feel excessively grindy at times. However, many appreciate the improvements made in the new version, which has streamlined gameplay and reduced some of the more tedious elements, enhancing overall enjoyment. While grinding for achievements remains a significant part of the experience, it is seen as more manageable compared to the original version.
“The game feels tedious.”
“Incredibly tedious and grindy...”
“This new version is fun, although without mods sometimes tedious.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed feedback; while some users find them decent overall, others criticize the intentionally poor quality of the visuals, sounds, and animations, indicating a lack of appeal for certain players.
“On top of this, the graphics, sounds, and animations are poor on purpose and really not my style.”
“Visuals, UI, and sound are identical.”
“The visuals and graphics are decent all across the board.”
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as a solid sidestory with an extensive mission list that progresses in difficulty, unlocking new offensive and defensive technologies. However, players feel that the experience could be enhanced with additional missions or maps. Overall, the campaign provides a structured challenge but leaves room for expansion.
“A good sidestory for Autonauts.”
“Maybe if they added more missions, or maps, or something it would be better.”
“Progress through each set of missions of increasing difficulty unlocks new offense and defense research technology to give you the tools to tackle these new challenges.”
“This game has an extensive mission list that helps.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Many users express concerns about the game's replayability, noting a lack of content and variety that diminishes the incentive to return after completing it. The absence of different maps and non-combat activities, especially compared to its predecessor, raises doubts about long-term engagement. Overall, players feel that improvements are needed to enhance replay value.
“Overall, my biggest problem with the game is that it's not replayable.”
“They do need to make it more replayable to give a reason to keep going back or at least different maps.”
“I'm also a bit worried that this game will have very little replayability after you finish it once, due to there being less non-combat content than in the original Autonauts. What are you supposed to do once you kill the enemy boss? Assuming the game doesn't just end or quit, but I'll see once I get to that point.”
- music4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music and sound design in the game are generally considered to be satisfactory, with users describing them as "okay."
“The sounds and music are okay.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a deep development tree and extensive optimization options that allow players to discover their own strategies. However, some reviewers feel that the initial focus on production and optimization has diminished, leading to a more haphazard approach to gameplay.
“There's a rich development tree and an immense amount of optimization just waiting for you to find your own style.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The console versions of the game exhibit some bugs, which users attribute to the publisher rather than the developer. Overall, stability issues are noted, but they are not seen as a direct fault of the development team.
“The console versions are a bit buggy, but that's the publisher, not the developer.”
