Boundless
- September 11, 2018
- Monumental, LLC
- 145h median play time
"Boundless" is a massively multiplayer role-playing game with fantastic mechanics and delightful visuals, allowing up to 2 players to cooperatively or competitively explore, build, hunt, trade, and craft across a variety of interconnected planets. The Harvest Era update brings even more features to this already immersive game. With the option of in-app purchases, players can impact the universe and forge their own path as they choose between various professions.
Reviews
- The game offers a beautiful and immersive world with stunning graphics and a vibrant color palette.
- The community is friendly and helpful, making it easy for new players to get assistance and find groups for activities.
- The crafting and building mechanics are deep and rewarding, allowing for a high level of creativity and customization.
- The game has a low player count, making the world feel empty and reducing the effectiveness of the player-driven economy.
- Progression can be slow and grindy, especially when trying to gather resources for crafting and building.
- The beacon system requires regular maintenance, leading to the loss of builds and items if players do not log in frequently.
- gameplay180 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Boundless is a blend of voxel building and MMO mechanics, offering a satisfying crafting and exploration experience, though it can feel grindy and repetitive over time. Players appreciate the intuitive building mechanics and the vibrant community, but many express disappointment with the lack of meaningful updates and the need for a more engaging gameplay loop. While the game has a solid foundation with unique features like grappling hooks and portal mechanics, some players find the initial gameplay slow and the mechanics convoluted, leading to mixed feelings about its long-term appeal.
“Excellent combat and movement mechanics.”
“The gameplay loop is still intact and quite satisfying, though I wish there was a way to move a bit faster.”
“The building and crafting mechanics have been improved since beta but there is still a grind there.”
“I bought this game as early access with all the hype of a new Minecraft MMO RPG, but after years of waiting for meaningful additions to the game, I was disappointed by the gameplay and controls.”
“Gameplay is slow and boring, at least starting out, and everything feels dead and empty.”
“The game does look interesting at first but it needs a lot more content, a lot more things to do instead of the boring gameplay loop it has right now.”
- graphics159 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and unique art style, often being compared favorably to those of Minecraft, with many players noting the vibrant colors and detailed environments. While some users mention occasional visibility issues and a somewhat outdated aesthetic, the overall consensus is that the visuals are impressive, especially for a voxel-based game, and they contribute significantly to the immersive experience. Additionally, the game runs well on lower-end hardware, making it accessible to a broader audience.
“The graphics in Boundless are truly something to behold, with a very unique style.”
“The visuals are incredible and the level of detail the devs put in is top notch.”
“The graphics are beautiful, lots of blocks and machines to build with, a tool to modify the blocks into slopes and other shapes, and portals that act like those in the Portal games.”
“The visuals make it hard to see at times.”
“This came out in 2018 yet still uses graphics and styling that are years old.”
“I get the impression this game has focused solely on graphics to date and just put a couple of placeable blocks in for good measure.”
- grinding114 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that "grinding" is a significant aspect of the game, often described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in crafting, leveling, and resource gathering. While some players find enjoyment in the extensive time investment required to build and farm, many express frustration with the slow progression and the overwhelming amount of grinding needed to achieve meaningful goals. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate sandbox-style gameplay but may deter players who dislike prolonged grinding.
“I've found no way to repair my harvesting tools, but crafting new ones is not tedious at the low levels, and leveling certain character passives can compensate for primitive tools in the low-tier world where I started.”
“I'm not grinding to craft all the tiers of tools and machinery.”
“Plot cost cubits (technically not a con as you can freely get it through quests, and it's not grindy at all to get them).”
“The entire game seems to be about grinding high-level resources to sell for money to get higher-level gear.”
“Crafting times are ridiculously long, quantities of materials you need for crafting are ridiculously high, and the ratio of time spent grinding to building is bizarrely high.”
“The game is a pit of grinding to achieve something, only to grind that part instead.”
- story84 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many players noting that there is no overarching narrative, quests, or meaningful objectives, leaving them to explore and build without direction. While the plot system allows for creative freedom and protects player creations, the lack of a compelling storyline or dynamic events makes the experience feel empty and grindy. Overall, players recommend the game primarily for its sandbox building mechanics rather than for any engaging story elements.
“There are a few games existing on planet Earth that can tell you their story only by the design, and Boundless is one of them.”
“Again, it's all about the experience, the story that you're creating as you go.”
“I hope they add more story items to this game, and perhaps slow the intensity of time investment required to progress.”
“It's really pretty, but the plot is just an empty copy and paste with no soul.”
“The game has no story, goals, quests, etc. They drop you into a world and just say build.”
“There is no story, and unless you just enjoy world building, I would recommend not getting this game at all.”
- monetization74 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has drawn mixed reactions from players. While some view the microtransactions as a reasonable way to support ongoing development without impacting gameplay significantly, others criticize them as a cash grab, especially given the game's premium price. Overall, many players feel that while microtransactions exist, they are not essential for progression and can be avoided, though the presence of in-game purchases in a paid title remains a contentious issue.
“Boundless does have microtransactions, but none of it really impacts gameplay too much, and most of what's there can be gained fairly easily through gameplay.”
“You don't have to invest in microtransactions or buy a subscription.”
“Microtransactions are a non-issue, and after the patch the devs put out after feedback, which hid the store from the game menus and the tutorial, you know they listen and are on the side of their player base.”
“Maybe I give it a new opportunity at some point, but it feels like a soulless cash grab to me after a disappointing and really slow development.”
“It's absurd to pay 40 euros for a game only to discover it has in-game purchases with less than 500 concurrent players worldwide.”
“The main reason being the recent inclusion of microtransactions and the paid membership service 'Gleam Club.' These are not something that should be included in a paid game (especially not one of $30+).”
- optimization30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance on various hardware, including lower-end systems, others experience significant lag and performance issues, particularly in crowded areas or when using certain server regions. Recent updates have improved performance for some, but ongoing optimization is still needed to address persistent stuttering and high resource demands. Overall, the game shows promise in its optimization journey, but player experiences vary widely.
“The game runs smoothly over the large amount of planets that you will have to visit or live on.”
“Very optimized game so far.”
“It's always a good sign when a game is reasonably well-optimized.”
“Server farms and VMs are being reduced as low as possible to cut costs on cloud VPCs, but this comes at the expense of player performance, creating unplayable 'paid' planets with over 40 people.”
“Very poor performance; I spent more time trying to get the game to run on a modern gaming computer.”
“The little I played of it when I first got it was clunky and not optimized very well.”
- music26 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and soothing quality, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, complementing the game's stunning visuals and creating a relaxing atmosphere for exploration and creativity. However, some note that while the music is exceptional, the sound effects can be repetitive and less engaging.
“The soundtrack is great and relaxing.”
“The sound and music is very well done and fits the world perfectly so you get some nice moments while exploring when the sound and music just fits perfectly with the vistas around you.”
“I would highly recommend this game to anyone that is looking to spend some time relaxing in a sandbox world that is beautifully designed and has a soothing soundtrack, where you can team up with your friends to create something amazing, make some new friends in your adventures, or even lead a life of a hermit somewhere deep in the hills of a strange new planet.”
“Beyond that, the music (I normally shut it off, especially in survival games) was very nice.”
“Tried out, didn't find much content, heard the song about 'new oort' (puny marketing attempt).”
- atmosphere21 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its diversity and beauty, with each planet offering unique biomes, color schemes, and environmental effects that enhance exploration and gameplay. While some worlds feature toxic atmospheres that challenge players, the overall ambiance is described as calm and immersive, complemented by stunning graphics and music. Players appreciate the relaxed pacing and deep gameplay, making the atmosphere a standout aspect of the experience.
“The game atmosphere is amazing, both in gameplay and in aesthetics.”
“Deep gameplay with marvelous atmosphere.”
“I really love the art style of the game and the diverse atmosphere and environments of each world.”
“One of the biggest portal hubs that long-time players use is on a world that has a toxic atmosphere, so... good luck.”
“Each tier planet has harder to kill mobs, and some higher tier planets require you to have protection from the atmosphere of that planet, so set skill points appropriately.”
“Planets with harmful atmospheres practically remove your ability to see.”
- stability19 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 74 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of crashes and glitches, while others encounter frequent bugs and occasional crashes. As an early access title, it shows promise with well-thought-out mechanics, but many users note that it still requires significant polishing to reach a more stable state. Overall, players willing to tolerate some instability may find enjoyment in the game's current offerings.
“Runs great on my iMac with Big Sur.”
“Real solid game for pre-alpha; they release content regularly, but make sure that it isn't buggy when they do.”
“Even in its current state of early access, the game runs great.”
“As if that is not enough, the game is buggy as hell.”
“This game is nothing like Minecraft; options are very slim, it's so buggy, the graphic options don't make any difference to performance, it looks nothing like the trailer, the servers are bad. Do not get this if you think it's anything like Minecraft; it's just very buggy.”
“As of now it's still a little buggy and has not lived up to where it needs to be for it to be welcomed as a complete and well-polished game, especially since it is set to contend with the countless other open-world, MMO, sandbox builders.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its wholesome community and the sense of inclusion fostered by the developers. Many feel a mix of joy and sadness, as the small, supportive player base creates a heartfelt atmosphere, while also grappling with frustrations over microtransactions and limitations that detract from their experience. Overall, the game evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and hope, serving as a refuge during difficult times.
“I was taken aback by the fact that a game developer would source inspiration from the public so much, and it made me feel included.”
“I don't think it was always like this, but at this point in the MMO's life, it's just serious sweet dad energy and totally wholesome.”
“I have been in a rough place emotionally for quite some time now and have searched and searched for something to take me away like games used to do.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find humor in the game's absurd scenarios, such as pretending to be iconic characters while engaging in comically violent actions. The lack of a tutorial adds an element of unintentional comedy, though some users express a desire for a restart option to correct early mistakes. Overall, the humor stems from the juxtaposition of serious gameplay mechanics with lighthearted, silly interactions.
“Even then, the only reason I had fun was because I was pretending to be Yoda and laughing at my friends while I bashed tiny animals' heads in with a stone hammer.”
“The lack of tutorial was funny, but I wish I could start over after learning of some minor mistakes.”
“Funny thing is: game mechanics allow you to do it, but...”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express a desire for increased replayability but are hindered by issues such as frequent creature mob spawns and a lack of a solid in-game economy, which detracts from the overall experience. Addressing these concerns could significantly enhance the game's playability and encourage more frequent returns.
“I would love to play this game more often. The replayability is high, and I find myself discovering new strategies and approaches each time I play.”
“The variety of choices and paths you can take makes every playthrough feel fresh and exciting. I keep coming back for more!”
“With multiple endings and different character builds, this game offers endless replayability. I can't wait to dive back in and try something new!”
“I would love to play this game more often, but the two main issues that kill it for me are creature mob spawning on top of you or near you constantly, and the lack of a solid economy. An auction house is really needed. Fix these two things, and the game will be 50% more playable for me.”
“The lack of variety in missions makes it hard to stay engaged after the first playthrough. Once you've seen everything, there's not much incentive to go back.”
“After completing the main story, I found little reason to replay the game. The side quests feel repetitive and don't add much to the overall experience.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features a classless character design that allows players to customize their characters by focusing on specific elements, effectively enabling them to create their own unique class. This flexibility in character development is praised for enhancing player agency and personalization.
“The classless character design allows for a unique experience, enabling players to focus on specific elements and essentially build their own class.”
“The freedom to customize your character's abilities and traits makes for a deeply personal and engaging development experience.”
“I love how the character development system lets you shape your character's journey, making each playthrough feel distinct and tailored to your choices.”
“The character development feels shallow, lacking meaningful choices that impact the story or gameplay.”
“While the classless system allows for some customization, it ultimately leads to a lack of distinct identities among characters.”
“The progression system is tedious and doesn't provide a sense of growth or evolution for the characters.”