FarSky
- April 25, 2015
- Farsky Interactive
- 4h median play time
FarSky is a single-player open world survival game with a good story and unique atmosphere. As Nathan, you must learn to survive in the depths of the Ocean after a submarine crash, building a base, crafting equipment, and managing resources to find submarine pieces and reach the surface. The game includes a sandbox mode, random map generation, and features excellent game mechanics, compelling graphics, and a fantastic soundtrack, despite some bugs.
Reviews
- The game has a beautiful underwater environment with nice graphics and sound design.
- Gameplay is simple and enjoyable, making it accessible for casual players.
- The game offers a unique underwater survival experience that is different from other survival games.
- The game is very short, with the main story being completable in just a few hours.
- There is a lack of content and variety, making replayability low.
- The game feels unfinished, as it has not received updates or additional content since its release.
- graphics243 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of Farsky have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not cutting-edge, they possess a certain charm and aesthetic appeal reminiscent of classic games. Some appreciate the simplistic and colorful visuals that contribute to a relaxing atmosphere, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking detail compared to more modern titles like Subnautica. Overall, the graphics are generally considered decent for an indie game, but improvements could enhance the overall experience.
“The graphics are beautiful and unique, and the sceneries throughout the game really catch your eye.”
“The graphics are decent and I enjoy the bright color palette; it definitely has its pretty moments when it comes to its scenery and wildlife.”
“Farsky is something else; the graphics are beautiful, very vibrant, and enjoyable.”
“The graphics are not great, but for such a small game, it's worth the money.”
“The graphics are bland, the gameplay is bland, the crafting is bland.”
“The graphics are decent enough overall yet somewhat dated looking, in need of more work which is also a big shame.”
- story226 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in this game is generally considered very short and simplistic, often taking only 1-4 hours to complete, with many players feeling it lacks depth and engagement. While the premise involves repairing a broken submarine and exploring the ocean, the narrative does not provide a compelling or memorable experience, leading to a focus on gameplay mechanics rather than storytelling. Overall, the game is seen as more of a sandbox experience with minimal story content, leaving players wanting more in terms of narrative development and complexity.
“This game is relaxing, has a nice story, very good gameplay, infinite exploration, and random maps with seeds, and is very cheap.”
“The game has a very simple plot: find and fix your sub and get back to the surface to be rescued.”
“While the other is a very expansive base-builder, this one has a short-but-sweet story that resolves in an hour or two.”
“The story is pretty weak and straightforward, which really isn't a big deal to me, especially in a crafting game.”
“The story mode is very, and I mean very short (easily beat in about 20 min. if you know what to do).”
“There is really no story to speak of.”
- gameplay226 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this indie underwater exploration game is generally described as simple and enjoyable, with solid mechanics and a relaxing atmosphere. However, many players note that it is quite short, typically offering only a few hours of content before becoming repetitive, and lacks depth compared to more developed titles like Subnautica. While the crafting and base-building elements are appreciated, the limited options and absence of multiplayer or extensive gameplay modes leave some players wanting more.
“While the gameplay is short due to the limited resources and unforeseen circumstances of the creator, I had a lot of fun playing this because as a scuba diver myself, I enjoyed seeing quality underwater scenery come to life in a game.”
“The gameplay that is there is very well done and it has a very interesting and fun exploration mechanic as well as a decent crafting system.”
“The gameplay is quite fun and flexible; this game has a lot of potential.”
“There's just nothing to do after a couple of hours of gameplay, and the limited build options make investing a lot of time in base-building unrewarding.”
“The gameplay is meh, the graphics are meh, everything about this game is just average.”
“The survival mechanics are very basic.”
- music85 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in Farsky is widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhancing the game's tranquil underwater atmosphere. Reviewers note that the soundtrack complements the visuals beautifully, creating a relaxing experience reminiscent of titles like Subnautica, though some mention occasional oddities in music timing during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset to the game, contributing to its appeal despite some critiques regarding repetition and presence.
“The music in this game is really soothing and makes the environment you are in really beautiful.”
“The atmosphere of the game is just great, with the music and all the underwater calm.”
“Admiring the beautiful fauna of the sea and listening to the relaxing music, Farsky will take you on an immersive journey like no other.”
“The soundtrack is pretty calming for when you're just going around looking for resources and stuff like that or just exploring, but what is a bit odd is I've had times where this calm soundtrack would play when I was getting attacked by a shark, which is a bit weird and off.”
“The music needs to fade from one song to the next, instead of the sudden stops it currently has.”
“Seems like they were trying to copy Minecraft here, but where Minecraft music is peaceful sounding, this music doesn't give me that feeling.”
- atmosphere70 mentions
- 76 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beauty and immersion, particularly in its underwater setting, complemented by calming music and stunning visuals. Players appreciate the unique experience it offers, with many noting the balance of serenity and tension as they explore the depths. Despite some criticisms regarding content and gameplay, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is its standout feature, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
“A short but very uniquely beautiful and atmospheric experience.”
“The atmosphere is fantastic though, you really feel like you are exploring the unknown of the ocean and fearful of what you might encounter next, and also the pure loneliness of being at the bottom of the ocean.”
“Beautiful scenery and well-chosen music give this game a perfect atmosphere, especially when using headphones.”
“Well, for the price I don't really expect it, but for the few lines that get spoken in the game, a little voice acting would be nice and help with the atmospheric feel of the game.”
“The atmosphere, sounds, graphics, and gameplay are all great and I can see the dev has put a lot of effort into producing what is here; however, that unfortunately is the problem - for the price of this game there just isn't enough content, which really is a shame considering how good this game could be with more development!”
“Minecraft but underwater... really nails the atmosphere of being alone in the ocean especially when you see a predator lurking just out of your view.”
- replayability46 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed, with some players appreciating the stats tracking and various modes that encourage repeated play, while others criticize its short length and lack of content, leading to limited replay value. Modes like survivor and sandbox offer some replayability, but many feel that once the main story is completed, there isn't much incentive to return. Overall, while there are elements that can enhance replayability, the consensus leans towards it being inadequate compared to similar titles in the genre.
“Every time you beat the game in normal or hard mode, you'll get a stats screen that shows how many times you died, harpoon accuracy, kills, play time, base pieces placed, etc. As a result, it gives yet another layer of replayability as you attempt to beat your previous stats.”
“It's shorter, but has more replayability, with a dedicated game mode specifically made for replaying the game.”
“I'll admit I'm a sucker for any underwater game, but Farsky is particularly neat - it combines building elements and random level generation to give you some replay value, and there are some objectives to complete if you feel like it.”
“Farsky is like the pre-alpha version of Subnautica; it has a decent series of underwater biomes and basic base building but lacks replayability and content.”
“Unfortunately, the adventure only lasts for a few hours with little replay value.”
“Great concept but utterly lacking in replayability; once you've beaten the first game mode, you've seen all this game has to offer.”
- stability22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, such as freezing issues and erratic mouse behavior. While some players have experienced a relatively smooth experience, others find the game unfinished and riddled with problems, making it difficult to recommend without reservations. Overall, the stability issues range from minor annoyances to major hindrances, affecting the enjoyment of the game.
“It runs great on a low-end PC and is the absolute best $5 single-player survival game that I have come across... period.”
“My laptop couldn't handle Subnautica, so this game runs great!”
“Whilst not graphically on par with Subnautica, the game is bug-free, at least in my experiences, and is definitely worth buying in the sale if you are not sure... or even if you are sure!”
“Wanted to try it again, but the game is so buggy it doesn't start anymore.”
“Not worth even $4.99; it's buggy, and the main menu screen mouse is messed up, and the building is horrible.”
“Game looks cool, nice art style, but I can't play it. Whenever I move my mouse, the screen just goes crazy and glitches (flies around the place non-stop), and also if you access the settings on the main menu, you can't get off them; you have to restart the game.”
- grinding21 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is described as a mixed experience; while resource gathering and farming can feel tedious, especially in the early stages, it is less punishing than other survival games like Subnautica. Players appreciate the simplicity of farming and crafting, likening it to a potato farming simulator, but some find the lack of depth in these systems and the initial survival challenges overwhelming. Overall, the game offers a casual pace with repetitive tasks that can be enjoyable if approached with the right mindset.
“Apart from that, it's not grinding minerals like in Subnautica. You have the drills that do that for you, and the combat is simple, but I don't know why, but I love it.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It's repetitive and tedious.”
“The first moments are overwhelming; staying alive is tedious in the beginning, you are thrown in without any explanations, without any how-to or the like.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as quirky and subjective, with players finding amusement in its absurdities and design choices, such as the menu navigation and the exaggerated behaviors of predators. While some jokes may fall flat, many reviewers appreciate the game's lightheartedness and its ability to entertain, drawing comparisons to classic titles like ToeJam & Earl. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its unconventional style.
“There's no real story; it just literally drops you in as some guy named Nathan. (It's funny because my older brother's name is Nathan.)”
“The funny part was that I was going to the surface at the time when I saw it, so that extended it by forty minutes.”
“All predators behave exactly the same, which means they swim aimlessly about until they suddenly decide to come charging at you at mach 4, and you get one second to either shoot them or be treated to the most hilariously bad shriek of pain I've heard in a while.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a stark contrast in emotional engagement, with some players feeling a lack of impact and meaningful narrative, leading to a sense of disconnection from the game. Conversely, others experienced moments of intense immersion, particularly during tense scenarios, which evoked feelings of vulnerability and fear. Overall, the emotional resonance of the game appears inconsistent, with some players finding it lacking while others appreciated its ability to create suspenseful atmospheres.
“At one point, my little underwater base I had constructed came under attack by a giant squid and began slowly filling with water, which was great and really made me feel like I was trapped underwater.”
“The bone-chilling feeling of fragile safety being inside my base, looking out the windows at the dark, scary ocean and seeing hordes of dangerous fish, really made me feel immersed in the game.”
“I suppose if you still have a computer from the mid-2000s and want to cry into your root beer as you ponder what you could be having fun with, go for it.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, delivering smooth performance even at the highest settings, with no bugs or graphical issues reported. Players appreciate the effective controls and immersive atmosphere, contributing to an overall positive experience.
“This is a very short game, but with good optimizations and a good story; this game is quite awesome.”
“It has great performance, great controls, and a breathtaking atmosphere.”
“Other than that, the game runs smoothly on the highest settings without any graphical lag or screen tearing.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that it lacks replay value and leaves the experience feeling empty and incomplete. Despite initial appeal, many users believe the game's potential was squandered due to its focus on profit over quality.
“Simply amazing for a few hours, but then it feels like a cash grab. The game had amazing potential, but the developers left it feeling empty and incomplete, with no replay value at all.”
“Could be better if it were not just a cash grab.”