Dyson Sphere Program
- January 20, 2021
- Youthcat Studio
- 50h median play time
"Dyson Sphere Program" is a sci-fi simulation game where players must construct a Dyson sphere to harvest energy and resources to save their civilization from an impending threat known as the Dark Fog. Utilizing advanced technology provided by the CentreBrain, players must build and manage factories, gather resources, and expand their energy infrastructure while defending against the encroaching mechanical enemies. This update marks the beginning of a new and exciting challenge for players in the Dyson Sphere Program.
Reviews
- gameplay1,628 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Dyson Sphere Program is widely praised for its addictive and engaging mechanics, combining elements from popular factory games like Factorio and Satisfactory while introducing unique features such as interplanetary logistics and the construction of a Dyson Sphere. Players appreciate the smooth controls, beautiful graphics, and the depth of gameplay that encourages exploration and optimization, although some note that the learning curve can be steep and certain mechanics may feel clunky or underexplained. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of strategic planning and creative freedom, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.
“The gameplay is engrossing to the point of addiction.”
“With its grand scope and addictive gameplay, this game offers an unparalleled experience that will keep players engaged for hours on end.”
“The gameplay is a perfect balance of accessibility and complexity, with stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack.”
“There is so much missing quality of life, a lot of the main mechanics don't work properly, e.g. blueprints (not to mention you can't even blueprint sorters by themselves...?????) even though they've been in the game for years.”
“The gameplay becomes pretty repetitive after I spent 2 days walking at a pace slower than the snails next to me from no energy.”
“The gameplay is boringly over complicated.”
- graphics1,548 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of Dyson Sphere Program have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and aesthetic appeal, often compared favorably to other factory-building games like Factorio and Satisfactory. Players appreciate the vibrant, detailed environments and the unique spherical worlds that enhance the gameplay experience, although some have noted performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's graphics are described as beautiful, immersive, and a significant draw for both new and veteran players in the genre.
“The graphics are stunning, especially as the game progresses and you see the scale of your constructions.”
“The visuals are gorgeous from the beginning, but once you start getting your Dyson swarm going as a precursor to the Dyson sphere itself, they take on a new beauty.”
“The graphics are beautiful, especially when you launch into space to check out your Dyson sphere for the first time.”
“The graphics are notably simple yet pretty aesthetic.”
“The aesthetic of the art style is of the 'generic sterile' variety - everything feels like it came out straight out of a mediocre art student's portfolio for a generic 'future' vision.”
“The graphics are decent, although I personally do not like the earth curvature aspect.”
- optimization518 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players praising its performance on lower-end systems and smooth gameplay during early to mid-game stages. However, several users report significant performance issues in the late game, particularly when managing large-scale operations, which can lead to frame rate drops and increased resource demands. Overall, while the game is well-optimized for its complexity, ongoing improvements are needed to enhance late-game performance and stability.
“Highly optimized, great showing from this developer, who is continuously adding and tweaking.”
“The game runs smoothly, looks great, and feels like a complete game.”
“The optimization is amazing.”
“The game is extremely unoptimized for late/endgame.”
“I can't in good faith recommend a game with such incredibly poor optimization.”
“Great game and concept, but unfortunately terrible performance late game.”
- music500 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and atmospheric qualities, effectively complementing the futuristic theme and enhancing the immersive experience. However, many players note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over extended play sessions, with calls for more variety and additional tracks to maintain engagement. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, there is a consensus that it could benefit from greater diversity to match the game's expansive gameplay.
“Amazing soundtrack, if you've ever known the addictiveness of automation games and haven't played this yet, do yourself a favor, it's probably the best one out there and it isn't even finished.”
“The soundtrack complements the futuristic theme and adds to the immersive experience.”
“The music is relaxing and calming, perfectly fitting the space exploration theme.”
“The music is pretty awful though.”
“They had the opportunity to have different songs for different biomes (different planets) and while there is a light diversity, it's mostly 90% the same song playing all the time.”
“The music is unbelievably boring.”
- grinding320 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant aspect, often described as tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the early and late stages. While some players appreciate the depth and complexity of factory management, many express frustration with repetitive tasks and the lack of quality-of-life features that could alleviate the grind. Overall, the game is seen as rewarding for those who enjoy meticulous resource management, but it may require a considerable time investment that some players find overwhelming.
“This goal, though massive, is nibbled at slowly bit by bit. With resource and research challenges, resource gathering isn't too grindy because you get auto miners from the get-go.”
“There's a lot to manage, especially once you advance your tech far enough and get logistics and other planets, but it's rewarding and honestly not tedious.”
“It does a good job of making the 'work' of factory building fun, fast, and not too tedious - while still being a very detailed game with pleasingly complex builds and powerful drone-based supply lines that eventually reach out into the stars.”
“Certain recipes seem to exist just to be tedious for the sake of tedium; research orders make no sense (why do I get deuterium before high strength glass...???).”
“This game feels like Factorio, but everything has been revamped to be as painful and tedious as possible.”
“The only complaint is that it doesn't have multiplayer, so it's very tedious and lonely to progress sometimes.”
- story285 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in Dyson Sphere Program is minimal and primarily serves as a backdrop for the gameplay, which focuses on resource gathering and factory building. Players embark on a mission to construct a Dyson Sphere, but many reviews note that the narrative lacks depth and structure, often feeling like a basic tutorial rather than a compelling storyline. While some players appreciate the scientific context and potential for future story development, the consensus is that the game would benefit from more guided missions and a richer narrative experience.
“Dyson Sphere Program catapults players into an awe-inspiring journey across the cosmos, where they embark on a quest to harness the power of the stars and construct a magnificent Dyson Sphere.”
“This is kind of Three-Body's ideological opposite: while Three-Body is a story of holding fast in the face of a hostile universe, DSP is about fulfilling humanity's greatest dream, englobing and harnessing the full power of the stars.”
“The background of this game, scientifically speaking, is also incredibly realistic. Even if this is still sci-fi, it stays accurate: the research is based on real-life discoveries and theories, and they're adapted pretty well to be understandable and logical in the story.”
“The storyline is paper thin, but that probably has more to do with the fact that it's still in early access and the core gameplay is still being improved upon.”
“The story is present, but mostly there to guide you on the options within the game.”
“It does need more of a story to it, but I think I read somewhere that they are working on it being that it is currently early access.”
- stability181 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is highly praised, with many players reporting minimal bugs and glitches, especially for an early access title. Most users have experienced smooth performance, with no significant crashes or game-breaking issues, making it one of the more polished early access games available. However, a few minor glitches and occasional freezes have been noted, but they do not significantly detract from the gameplay experience.
“For an early access game, it is bug free and has stable enough performance.”
“It's better than most big company games I've run across in terms of performance and being bug free.”
“This game is surprisingly polished for being in early access, and has been bug free.”
“I went into this game with high expectations, but it is very buggy and annoying.”
“This game is the only thing that freezes consistently.”
“Conveyor belts are buggy... something you cannot have in a game like this.”
- replayability133 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its sandbox nature, procedural generation of worlds, and extensive customization options. Many players report enjoying multiple playthroughs due to the variety of strategies and configurations available, although some express concerns about potential repetitiveness after several hours. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay mechanics and ongoing updates suggests a strong potential for long-term replay value.
“Dyson Sphere Program offers extensive gameplay depth and replayability at a reasonable price point.”
“Additionally, the randomly generated worlds contribute significantly to the game's replay value.”
“The game's breathtaking visuals, intriguing production chains, customization options, and replayability make it a captivating and enjoyable experience.”
“I'm now done with my second playthrough and there is no more replayability; the game would be the same if I start a new one. But if there were mods, I'm sure there would be hundreds more hours to enjoy community-created content.”
“The biggest flaw in my opinion is that the game currently has no replay value since, except for randomly generated planets, you probably will always do the same style of factory building once you figured out the most efficient way to place things.”
“But without any kind of challenges (meteors, hostile aliens, dangerous environments) or a multiplayer, the game will remain a one-off fun for several hours without offering any serious replayability.”
- atmosphere88 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and relaxing qualities, enhanced by beautiful visuals, dynamic weather effects, and a soothing soundtrack. Players appreciate the serene experience of exploring different planets, watching celestial events, and engaging in factory-building without the pressure of combat. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and tranquil, making it a standout feature that complements the gameplay.
“The game has atmosphere: you can stand on a planet and watch the local star rise or fall beyond the horizon and the colors meld as you would expect.”
“The atmospheric music enhances the immersion, making every discovery and accomplishment feel monumental.”
“The atmosphere combined with the beautiful graphics and the soothing soundtrack create for a cozy gaming experience.”
“I tried to play it but the atmosphere seems kind of boring and the artistic direction is very plain/soulless.”
“Planets have no weather and the atmosphere is basically irrelevant.”
“It's like all the awesome things in Factorio went 3D and left the atmosphere.”
- humor80 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its hilariously poor English translations, which often lead to amusing misunderstandings and charmingly awkward phrases. Players find the comedic elements to be a significant part of the experience, with many enjoying the absurdity of the game's mechanics and dialogue. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that enhances the enjoyment, despite some frustrations with gameplay and translation quality.
“It's like playing mad libs with the laws of physics, and the results are as mind-bending as they are hilarious.”
“Fantastic game - so much about this game just works from the mechanics, audio and graphics, to the hilarious statements that must come from some kind of lost in translation thing.”
“The english voice actor reads the horrible translation from Chinese word for word, and it's hilarious.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally impactful, often describing it as deeply satisfying and wholesome, with moments that evoke strong feelings, including tears of joy and nostalgia. The combination of captivating gameplay and a passionate development team enhances the emotional connection, making it a memorable experience despite some minor flaws. Overall, the game resonates with players on a personal level, creating a sense of fulfillment and attachment.
“An emotionally moving puzzle game.”
“I literally shed a tear the first time I lifted off from one planet and boosted my way to the next.”
“The style and gameplay ticked so many boxes for me; I became emotional.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is praised for being fair and player-friendly, with no cash grabs or microtransactions, setting it apart from many AAA titles that rely on predatory practices. The developer is commended for providing consistent updates and being responsive to player feedback, contributing to a positive gaming experience without exploiting players for profit. Overall, the game is seen as a model for ethical game development.
“This is a prime example of how to do game development right, not like the majority of triple-A releases which are thrown onto the market bare-bones and with predatory monetization schemes.”
“No microtransactions (God hopes this doesn't come later).”
“You ever watch those mobile game ads that go from 0 to 100 with the progression, and you're just like, 'there is absolutely no way they have that much content'?”
“This is a prime example of how to do game development right, not like the majority of triple A releases which are thrown onto the market bare-bones and with predatory monetization schemes.”
“No microtransactions (god hopes this doesn't come later).”