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
PC
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 and the ability to mend mistakes, allowing for a casual gaming experience.
- The inventory management can be cumbersome, leading to cluttered planets and tedious cleanup.
- There are significant balance issues with the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle, making it difficult to maintain stable ecosystems.
- The game lacks a comprehensive tutorial, which can lead to frustrating roadblocks for new players.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a trial-and-error loop reminiscent of infinite crafting games, blending natural and astro-science concepts with simple mechanics. Players find it to be a relaxing and enjoyable sandbox experience, though it can be challenging and occasionally frustrating due to some gameplay mechanics. Overall, it is praised as a unique and fun puzzle game, well worth the price.
“They tried to combine actual natural science/astro science with simple game mechanics, and in my humble opinion, they succeeded.”
“Super chill, relaxing discovery/sandbox/god-sim game with fun semi-scientific mechanics.”
“The art, music, and gameplay are so pleasant and lovely; it's actually kind of challenging, which is fun, but it can get a little frustrating.”
“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.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are consistently praised for their cute and charming art style, which enhances the overall experience of the game. Users appreciate the simple and calming visuals, complemented by soothing music, making it accessible and enjoyable for players. The combination of appealing aesthetics and engaging gameplay elements, like the chemistry system, adds to the game's visual appeal.
“Very cute graphical style and fun chemistry system.”
“The art style is really cute.”
“From the cute art style to the soothing music.”
- music12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its soothing and pleasant qualities, enhancing the overall experience of the quirky terraforming simulation. Players appreciate the calming vibes that complement the simple visuals and engaging gameplay, making it a great choice for relaxation and enjoyment. Overall, the combination of charming art and enjoyable music contributes to a delightful atmosphere, despite some challenges in gameplay.
“Great vibes and music on top of a quirky terraforming simulation game.”
“The art, music, and gameplay are so pleasant and just lovely; it's actually kind of challenging, which is fun, but it can get a little frustrating.”
“From the cute art style to the soothing music.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is a dynamic and complex system that players must manage, with changing conditions influenced by the introduction of new species and various environmental factors. While the game encourages exploration and experimentation with different climates, players often find it challenging to maintain a stable atmosphere, and the in-game resources for understanding these processes can be lacking. Overall, the atmosphere aspect adds depth to gameplay but can also lead to frustration due to its unpredictability.
“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.”
- grinding8 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 and limited inventory space. The process of clearing obstacles and experimenting with combinations is described as random guesswork, lacking clear feedback and making it a cumbersome experience. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract from the enjoyment of gameplay.
“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.”
“This creature needed land to grow, but in my zeal to experiment, I had covered my planet in water, which is incredibly tedious to remove, and the method for doing so is a little difficult to figure out as there is no direct feedback.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while the game has experienced some bugs and glitches, particularly with clipping and a lack of polish, these issues have been addressed promptly by the developers and supported by the community. Stability appears to improve over time, but initial concerns remain regarding content and polish.
“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.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % 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.
