Lifeless Planet

60%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,439 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Lifeless Planet Game Cover
Lifeless Planet's stark simplicity belies its heartfelt message. Its environmental blandness countered by a compelling story
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"Lifeless Planet" is a single-player mystery action-adventure game with an intriguing old-school sci-fi story and stunning visuals. As an astronaut searching for life on a distant planet, you discover an abandoned Russian town and evidence of past human life, leading to questions about time travel and Cold War hoaxes. Despite its impressive atmosphere, the game is plagued by bugs, lack of optimization, and grinding gameplay, with low replayability but high emotional impact.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

60%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,439 reviews
story577 positive mentions
gameplay66 negative mentions
  • Atmospheric game with a fantastic story and beautiful environments.
  • Engaging narrative that keeps players interested throughout the game.
  • Great audio and minimalist soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Character graphics are dated and controls can be tricky in platforming situations.
  • Repetitive gameplay with a lot of walking and jumping, leading to potential boredom.
  • Linear progression with little incentive for exploration beyond the main path.
  • story1,366 mentions

    The story of "Lifeless Planet" is a central focus for many players, often described as intriguing and atmospheric, with a blend of sci-fi elements and emotional depth. While some appreciate the gradual unfolding of the narrative through logs and environmental storytelling, others criticize it for being thin or poorly executed, with a reliance on text that detracts from immersion. Overall, the game is seen as a walking simulator that prioritizes story over gameplay, appealing primarily to those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences despite its pacing and linearity issues.

    • “The story is excellently written and the voice acting adds a layer of authenticity and impressiveness.”
    • “I loved the sense of mystery this blind playthrough brought with it, and the atmosphere combined with the slowly unraveling story kept me interested and entertained straight through to the end.”
    • “The story is very well written for what it is.”
    • “So much pointless walking over long distances adding nothing to the story.”
    • “Not enough plot to be a walking simulator, not enough of anything else to be called a puzzle, story, or exploration game.”
    • “The story is very anemic; most of it you have to read from a tablet that seemingly appears from nowhere.”
  • gameplay376 mentions

    The gameplay of "Lifeless Planet" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it simplistic and repetitive, primarily consisting of walking, basic platforming, and easy puzzles. While some appreciate the atmospheric exploration and engaging story, others criticize the clunky mechanics, frustrating controls, and lack of variety, leading to a feeling of tedium over time. Overall, the game seems to prioritize narrative and environment over innovative gameplay, which may appeal to some but disappoint others seeking a more dynamic experience.

    • “The gameplay is simple and makes it feel more like a visual novel.”
    • “The gameplay is tight and does what it needs to do, and the puzzles may start out easy but later on they require a lot of patience.”
    • “The gameplay really leads you to focus on the story and character.”
    • “Interesting premise and story, but in terms of visuals and gameplay there just isn't enough going on to be worthwhile.”
    • “The gameplay itself gets really repetitive after a bit, as all the challenges just rehash variants on what you've already done.”
    • “The gameplay is slow and boring; every time you get a cool perk, the game takes it away moments later 'because the plot said so'.”
  • atmosphere357 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and beautifully designed environments. Many players appreciate the sense of mystery and desolation it evokes, although some note that the gameplay can feel linear and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game's atmospheric elements are considered its strongest feature, drawing players into its intriguing narrative and emotional depth.

    • “A nice atmospheric game with a fantastic story, beautiful environments, and great audio & minimalist soundtrack.”
    • “The atmosphere was perfect, and I was always excited to find out what was around the next corner.”
    • “The atmosphere, the mystery...the soundtrack!”
    • “There is no atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere wears paper-thin.”
    • “The graphics are a bit basic as well, which does not help for the atmosphere.”
  • graphics324 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear dated, reminiscent of early 2000s titles, and lacking in detail. While some appreciate the atmospheric visuals and unique art style, others criticize the simplistic textures and character models, suggesting that the graphics detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, many players find that the game's strong story and immersive atmosphere compensate for the visual limitations.

    • “The graphics are amazing - if it were 1999.”
    • “The graphics are great, they are kept simple and to a degree of amazement.”
    • “The graphics were beautiful, so was the music, and the storyline, while a tad predictable in the beginning, had me hooked by the end and wanting more.”
    • “The graphics are jarringly bad.”
    • “The graphics look like they are from the late 1990s, but gameplay feels smooth and solid.”
    • “The graphics felt incomplete and muddy.”
  • music290 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall experience and complementing the story and visuals effectively. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its ability to evoke emotions and create a sense of immersion, although some mention issues with abrupt transitions and a lack of variety. Overall, the music is considered a key element that elevates the game's ambiance and storytelling.

    • “The music is well placed and adds to the feeling of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely top notch along with the sound design.”
    • “The music and voice acting is amazing.”
    • “I wish there was a way to disable the music.”
    • “The music cut out randomly with harsh transitions that broke the mood.”
    • “The graphics are a bit dated (especially the one human character model in the game that looks like it belongs on a PS1), the story is bland and uninspired, the music is passable, the controls frustrating (platforming is not fun in spacesuit apparently), but this game does one thing very well.”
  • stability42 mentions

    The game's stability is generally described as inconsistent, with many players encountering various glitches, including audio issues, visual bugs, and problematic mechanics that can hinder gameplay. While some users report minor bugs that are easily resolved, others experience significant frustrations, such as game-breaking glitches and unreliable controls. Overall, the game is seen as somewhat buggy, which detracts from the experience, though some players still find enjoyment in the story and visuals.

    • “No glitches, no bugs, no issues except my poor timing on really easy jumps.”
    • “It was bug-free, it ran smoothly, and the vistas were visually beautiful.”
    • “What does bother me are the finicky camera movements that can cause visual glitches and even mess up your mobility at crucial points.”
    • “Beautiful visuals, good story, and okay gameplay are ruined by horrible bugs and technical glitches.”
    • “The abundance of graphical glitches and audio bugs (music and SFX would suddenly disappear in many of the levels) hold this title back from becoming a true triumph.”
  • grinding36 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, with many describing the platforming and puzzle mechanics as uninspired and frustrating. While some appreciate the story and atmosphere, the gameplay often drags, leading to a sense of fatigue and disinterest as the game progresses. Despite initial enjoyment, the lack of engaging challenges and the linear nature of tasks contribute to a generally tedious experience.

    • “The only real 'challenge' in the game, if you can call it that, is tedious jumping puzzles that are done much better in other games.”
    • “An interesting premise, but a promising open-world start quickly degenerates into a tedious, linear platformer, where you must battle poor controls to get who knows where for who knows what purpose.”
    • “The game is mostly tedious running, with some boring jumping puzzles in between.”
  • replayability29 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits very low replayability, primarily due to its linear structure and lack of alternate endings or significant content to explore after the initial playthrough. While some players may find minimal motivation to replay for achievements or to uncover all story elements, the consensus is that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to return. Many reviewers suggest waiting for sales, as the short duration and limited replay value do not justify the full price.

    • “There is also replay value, especially if you're an achievement hunter.”
    • “I'd say there's at least a little bit of replayability, not just for the achievements, but to make sure you hear the whole story due to the way it is told through finding research and journals.”
    • “While it has limited replayability, other than to run through it again, this game will stick in my mind as fully worth my time and money.”
    • “There seems to me to be absolutely no replay value.”
    • “No alternate endings, hence no replay value.”
    • “The scripting will naturally limit the replay value.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Lifeless Planet" is highlighted by its intriguing and heart-wrenching storyline, which explores themes of guilt, loss, and isolation. Players find the game to be an immersive experience, enhanced by a powerful soundtrack that effectively shifts emotional states. Despite some technical issues, the game's barren landscapes and atmospheric design contribute to a profound sense of loneliness and connection to the narrative.

    • “There is a story and it was a little confusing at first, but it did start to make sense at one point and it became such an emotional journey.”
    • “The story they tell is very interesting and pretty heart-wrenching.”
    • “Despite its rather mediocre graphics, Lifeless Planet is an atmospheric and immersive game that has an intriguing, touching story backed up with an excellent soundtrack.”
    • “The game lacks any emotional depth, leaving players feeling disconnected and indifferent to the story.”
    • “I found the narrative to be incredibly dull, making it hard to invest emotionally in the characters or their journeys.”
    • “Despite its attempts at storytelling, the game fails to evoke any real feelings, resulting in a flat and forgettable experience.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with players reporting frequent frame rate drops, particularly on lower-end systems like the Steam Deck, and even on high-end PCs. Many users experienced freezing and sluggish performance, which detracted from the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, the controls are described as basic and not well-suited for the game's vast environments, leading to prolonged periods of unengaging travel.

    • “The fair voice performances and writing are enough for the clichéd premise to be convincing and successfully instill loneliness in the player.”
    • “Restless, visually sleek, and powered by a lithe star performance from the astronaut, Lifeless Planet offers dark, thought-provoking thrills.”
    • “Optimization issues, awkward controls, and unnecessary narration aside, Lifeless Planet is an otherwise respectable space survival adventure, one drawing an obvious inspiration from Soviet-era science fiction.”
    • “I have a pretty high-end PC and there were sections that were so poorly optimized that it froze for 3-5 seconds for every 2 seconds I could move.”
    • “But it's not optimized well at all (my computer should run it very well, but the frame rate is about 20-25 fps).”
    • “The annoying plant life, the 15 minute walking sessions doing nothing, the stupid platforming jumps, terrible optimization, fps drops left and right on my GTX 760, plot holes, and more.”
  • character development10 mentions

    Overall, reviews indicate a significant lack of character development in the game, with many players expressing frustration over the absence of meaningful interactions and growth among characters. While some appreciated the character design and backstory elements, they felt these aspects did not translate into impactful storytelling or emotional engagement. The consensus suggests that improved character development is essential for enhancing player immersion and overall enjoyment.

    • “I really really enjoy the story and the lore, and especially the character development of the colonizers.”
    • “Character development is crucial for the player to become immersed in the reality of this game.”
    • “More interesting puzzles, more character development, and more interesting mystery would have made this much better.”
    • “There is some backstory to the astronaut, but as the astronaut experienced no character development nor interacted with anyone in any meaningful way, it felt like fluff intended to give artificial depth to a story that had thus far been filled with nothing but someone screaming at you in Russian and killer bushes.”
    • “There is no character development at all and consequently the fate of the woman has no impact.”
    • “No character development, almost no plot to speak of, and the storytelling itself is atrocious.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing ragdoll physics and the absurdity of the character's deaths, which consistently elicit laughter. Players appreciate the developers' comedic touch, particularly through funny achievements and the overall lighthearted tone, despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the enjoyment of the experience.

    • “So the developers certainly have a sense of humor.”
    • “Beautiful music :) The controls are a bit funny sometimes, but I found myself laughing every time I died in some stupid way, so all in all, a very good time!”
    • “Not to mention, the achievements are hilarious and I love them, and I'm so frustrated and I love it.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization aspect of "lifeless planet" is perceived as fair, with no misleading advertisements; however, players feel that the game lacks depth and fails to deliver on the expectations set by its marketing, leading to a sense of disappointment.

    • “This game is like a movie whose ads draw you in, but ultimately disappoints.”
    • “The description and advertisements aren't misleading, and 'Lifeless Planet' is not a bad game by any means, but the overall game feels quite shallow.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

60% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
5-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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