Heliopedia
- October 12, 2021
- Sokpop Collective
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Get on itch.io Store"Heliopedia" is a sandbox/exploration game set in a fictional universe, where players can collect materials, terraform planets, and discover new species for their encyclopedia. The game features a pseudo-scientific chemistry system, over 10 biomes, and a variety of insects, plants, animals, and trees to discover. With 99 items to find and the ability to create peaceful or destructive ecosystems, "Heliopedia" offers a unique and engaging experience.
Mac OS
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a cute art style and relaxing music, making it enjoyable to play.
- It offers a fun and engaging gameplay loop centered around experimentation and discovery.
- Players appreciate the low-stakes environment where mistakes can be mended, allowing for creative exploration.
- The inventory management is cumbersome, leading to cluttered planets and tedious cleanup processes.
- There are significant balance issues with the ecosystem mechanics, making it difficult to maintain stable planets.
- The game lacks a comprehensive tutorial, which can lead to frustrating roadblocks for new players.
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a trial-and-error loop that combines elements of natural and astro science with simple mechanics, creating a relaxing and unique sandbox experience. While it offers enjoyable challenges and a pleasant atmosphere, some players note minor frustrations with certain mechanics. Overall, it is well-received, especially by fans of puzzle games.
“In that sense, the gameplay loop is very similar to infinite craft and will light up the same part of your brain.”
“Super chill relaxing discovery/sandbox/god-sim game with fun semi-scientific mechanics.”
“Very fun and unique gameplay!!”
“The gameplay loop is more or less trial and error.”
“Had a great time playing this game, but there are some little things that can make the gameplay a little annoying.”
“Overall fantastic little game totally worth the price, great if you like puzzle games, just some gripes about some of the gameplay mechanics.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are consistently praised for their cute and appealing art style, which enhances the overall experience of the game. Users appreciate the combination of charming visuals and calming music, making it accessible and enjoyable for players. The graphics effectively complement the fun and interactive elements of the gameplay.
“The art style is really cute.”
“Very cute graphical style and fun chemistry system.”
“From the cute art style to the soothing music.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and pleasant qualities, enhancing the overall experience of the quirky terraforming simulation. Players appreciate how the soothing soundtrack complements the charming visuals and engaging gameplay, making it a delightful choice for relaxation and exploration.
“Great vibes and music on top of a quirky terraforming simulation game.”
“Incredibly fun game; the music is really good, and getting through the planets and discovering animals is fun.”
“From the cute art style to the soothing music.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is intricately tied to the life and ecosystems players create on various planets, with dynamic changes influenced by introduced species and environmental factors. While the challenge of maintaining a consistent atmosphere can be frustrating, the game encourages exploration and experimentation with different climates and species combinations. However, the lack of helpful information in the encyclopedia can hinder players' understanding of atmospheric dynamics.
“Atmospheric conditions on planets change as new species are introduced, and some species may die out.”
“In Heliopedia, you manage different humidity, temperature, and atmospheres to create a range of climates suitable for different life. The use of quests can really make you think, driving you to search for new species and combinations. While this can sometimes be brain-boggling, the simplicity of the game means you can't really mess up.”
“This game is about making life on planets and changing the atmosphere and more!”
“The only complaint I have for the game is the fact that it is really hard to keep a consistent planet atmosphere; it's like the game is fighting against you.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling like a chore due to cumbersome controls, limited inventory space, and unclear mechanics. The process of clearing obstacles and experimenting with the environment can lead to a sense of randomness and guesswork, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
“Pretty tedious and feels like random guesswork to figure out all the different combos of stuff.”
“Controls could be better; dragging single items gets tedious, and the limited inventory space is just annoying for no real reason.”
“Clearing trash is a tedious ordeal.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while the game has some buggy clipping and glitches, many of these issues have been promptly addressed by the developers, with community support also helping to resolve certain problems. However, there is a consensus that the game lacks polish and sufficient content.
“The only issues I have are buggy clipping and not enough content.”
“- Glitches and lack of polish.”
“Many bugs and glitches have been quickly fixed by the devs, and the community helped clear up some weirdness with combinations just as fast.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story in Heliopedia revolves around managing various environmental factors to create diverse climates that support different life forms. Players engage in quests that challenge their thinking and encourage exploration of new species and combinations, all while maintaining a user-friendly experience that minimizes the risk of failure.
“The story is incredibly engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
“I was captivated by the rich lore and the way the narrative unfolds, making every decision feel impactful.”
“The intertwining storylines and character arcs create a deeply immersive experience that draws you in from the start.”
