Maia

About

Maia is a single player real-time strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by MachineStudios and was released on November 23, 2018. It received neutral reviews from players.

Maia is a space colony simulation game set on a toxic alien world, 12 light years from Earth. Your mission is to establish humanity's first foothold in the stars by building and managing a base to sustain colonist's needs, while surviving various dangers such as toxic atmosphere, solar flares, and earthquakes. The game features an enormous procedurally-generated world, including a series of vast mission areas with fully simulated environments.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+10

Skip User Reviews

41%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,328 reviews

gameplay37 positive mentions

stability184 negative mentions

The game has a unique and engaging concept, blending colony management with a humorous sci-fi setting.
The developer is responsive to community feedback and regularly updates the game, showing commitment to improvement.
The graphics and atmosphere are appealing, with a retro sci-fi aesthetic that adds charm to the gameplay.

The AI is often frustratingly poor, with colonists frequently ignoring critical tasks, leading to deaths from starvation or hypothermia.
The user interface is clunky and unintuitive, making it difficult to manage tasks and understand the game's mechanics.
The game is still in an unfinished state, with many bugs and performance issues that hinder the overall experience.

stability
188 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting it as extremely buggy and often unplayable due to frequent crashes, glitches, and AI issues. While some players acknowledge the game's potential and appreciate the developers' efforts to address bugs, the overall consensus is that the game remains in a frustratingly unstable state, particularly for an early access title. Many recommend waiting for further updates before purchasing, as the current experience is marred by significant technical problems.
- “The game is remarkably bug-free, making for a smooth experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the game is; it really enhances the overall enjoyment.”
- “This game runs so well, I hardly encountered any bugs at all.”
- “Very buggy, practically unplayable.”
- “Currently, the AI is so buggy it is hard to actually play, with colonists dying from starvation because they've managed to build a hydroponic carrot that somehow blocks the way out of the room, or a room with no doors, or simply standing in the airlock until they run out of air - I've had all of these happen.”
- “This is a buggy, broken game.”
gameplay
153 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
72%
4%
The gameplay of Maia has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant bugs, crashes, and an overall outdated feel. While some appreciate the potential and creative mechanics, they criticize the lack of clear tutorials, poor AI, and the need for fundamental reworking of core gameplay elements. As the game is still in early access, players express hope for improvements but caution that it currently lacks engaging and cohesive gameplay experiences.
- “If you're looking for a chill gameplay, this one is for you.”
- “The gameplay overall is great.”
- “Graphics are awesome, sarcastic colonists and unforgiving gameplay makes for a refreshing great experience that reminds me of Dungeon Keeper on another planet where the environment is trying to kill you at every turn.”
- “Overall, I've decided Maia's gameplay just feels outdated.”
- “Unfortunately, I can only give limited gameplay reviews, as the engine and various other failings have hindered my access to the actual game.”
- “The actual gameplay is not really implemented, and the parts that are there are not easy to figure out.”
graphics
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
70%
3%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the vibrant colors and unique 1970s/80s sci-fi aesthetic, while others criticize the overall polish and performance issues, including graphical glitches and poor optimization on various hardware. Despite claims of AAA quality, many players feel the visuals fall short of expectations, especially given the game's long development time. Overall, while the graphics show potential, they require significant improvements to meet modern standards and enhance gameplay experience.
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
- “The visuals are great (gritty 80s sci-fi) and there are some neat post-processing effects to really bring home the aesthetic.”
- “Though the game has really stunning graphics, and is extremely fun.”
- “Been in development for many years, and little progress has been made, and the game has fallen behind 'the times' with graphics.”
- “-max graphic settings and still the game looks like an 80's TV show in a heavy winter storm.”
- “The graphics are very unpolished, but this game I think qualifies as alpha at this stage, so that will come.”
story
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
88%
6%
The game's story and missions are described as having potential, with engaging dialogue and a small amount of plot that players found enjoyable. However, numerous bugs, poor AI, and vague mission objectives severely hinder the experience, leading to frustration and mission failures. Overall, while the narrative elements are appreciated, the execution is marred by technical issues and a lack of clear direction, leaving players wanting a more structured and polished campaign.
- “It's a shame because the small amount of plot and flavor text I was able to experience is quite good.”
- “The missions give a lot of structure to the game, more so than the generic sandbox mode does and the dialogue is engaging enough, albeit a bit bland.”
- “Maia 'gets' space exploration in the same way DayZ 'gets' zombies: the story is not the zombies, it is the people.”
- “Don't even get me started on mission objectives randomly not completing, dialogue not triggering, or buildings and tiles straight up being restricted for no reason.”
- “Furthermore, the game's missions are often vague and the game withholds critical information from you in nonsensical ways.”
- “This is probably because of the lack of any solid plot and future goal that keeps me interested.”
atmosphere
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
73%
4%
The game's atmosphere is described as immersive and visually appealing, with a strong sense of detail that enhances the experience of colonizing a toxic planet. However, players express frustration with the AI's poor decision-making, leading to critical failures in survival despite the atmospheric richness. Overall, while the setting is captivating and "alien," the gameplay mechanics can detract from the intended experience, creating a disconnect between the game's aesthetic and its functionality.
- “I had a few UI issues and little bugs here and there when I played in November 2019, but the game is so immersive and atmospheric that it just pulls you in hard.”
- “I would recommend this game to anyone who thinks they'll like it, because the atmosphere is so... well, 'alien-ey'.”
- “What this game does have: a wonderful atmosphere.”
- “The pacing is very plodding, with a dark and gloomy atmosphere.”
- “Colonists are stupid to the point of having four rooms to stand in, three of which are a comfortable temperature with a dedicated atmosphere generator in each one, they will choose to stand in the empty room that is cold enough to give them hypothermia even though it is unfurnished and has a construction order in it for stuff that they will not build.”
- “Unlike DF, those bugs aren't things like 'military training isn't working' — they're game-breaking things like 'none of my colonists will go outside to make a wind turbine to generate power for the atmosphere generators, so they all die due to lack of oxygen.'”
humor
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a distinctly British, dry wit that many players find enjoyable, often leading to unexpected laughter during gameplay. While some may find the humor too ironic or niche, it effectively complements the game's gritty realism and simulation elements, providing a lighthearted contrast to the challenges faced in managing a space colony. Players appreciate the quirky, often absurd situations that arise, though some critiques mention that the humor can sometimes take a while to reach its punchline.
- “It's gritty in its presentation, brutal in its pursuit of realism, and fun in its honest simulation (that is speckled with bleak humor) of a new space colony beyond the stars.”
- “The game is thoroughly playable, and the understated humor provides a nice touch.”
- “It feels nice to slowly build up your underground base and the cheeky humor keeps things lively.”
optimization
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting poor performance across various systems, including high-spec machines and Macs. While some updates have promised improvements, users still experience lag, AI issues, and crashes, particularly on Windows 8.1. The game is still in early access, leading to frustrations over its incomplete state and lack of progress in optimization.
- “I was very glad to see version 0.62 release, it promised some very interesting features plus a great performance boost which I was looking forward to.”
- “Optimization made a big difference on my laptop.”
- “I haven't gotten a huge colony but overall have had no issues with performance.”
- “Performance on Mac is still making this game unplayable.”
- “Game is poorly optimized at the moment (but what do you expect from early access, a gold toilet?).”
- “Game is still in very early stages and completely broken for me; I cannot even set up a workshop room and build a wind turbine before the game starts having AI issues and graphics/performance issues.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
74%
13%
The music aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding the colonist-created, programmatically generated music and poetry to be a charming touch that adds character. However, many users express frustration with the music's quality and the lack of options, often preferring to turn it off entirely. Overall, the music is seen as an inconsistent and sometimes distracting element that detracts from the gameplay experience.
- “From the outside, it's like watching concert music being composed with various movements being created in a fit of inspiration and then being worked over to complement each other.”
- “It's rich in character; touches like colonist-created, programmatically generated music and haiku, and colonist skillsets like cat appeasement and lukewarm tea brewing, add an undeniably charming flavor to the game.”
- “Getting a random song or poem from one is a charming touch.”
- “Questionable 'jokes', please let me unsee this kind of UI; music you just want to turn off.”
- “The overall sensation is one of trying to conduct an orchestra comprised largely of simpletons, playing music utterly unfamiliar to you, where a quarter of the instruments are invisible, another inaudible, and nobody thought to bring any sheet music.”
- “Like honestly... you're colonizing another planet... where the hell are you making music that you want me to hear... you don't even have a damn atmospheric generator at the start...”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and clumsy, often describing it as an outdated experience that feels more like a cash grab than a fully developed title. The repetitive nature of tasks, combined with long loading times and a lack of helpful shortcuts, contributes to a frustrating gameplay loop that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Many reviewers suggest waiting for improvements before fully engaging with the game.
- “Overall, I would say wait on this one as it is never going to be anything but a temporary and farming sim with no sounds. It's straight-up a cash grab for sure, and that kind of sucks.”
- “I start a base, get a workshop up, alarms start going off in the workshop, colonists die, and I have to start over, which is tedious because it takes forever to load too. It's a good-looking game, but I will try it again later when I can actually play it.”
- “Makes it a bit tedious to keep looking up what things are for and why.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The monetization of Maia is heavily criticized, with many reviewers labeling it a cash grab that lacks effort and quality, particularly for its $25 price tag. Players express disappointment in the game's design and controls, suggesting that it feels more like a temporary farming sim rather than a polished simulation experience. Overall, the consensus is to avoid purchasing the game until significant improvements are made.
- “Overall, I would say wait on this one as it is, in my opinion, never going to be anything but a temporary and farming sim with no sounds. It's a straight-up cash grab for sure, and that kind of sucks.”
- “Maia, possibly the worst simulation game across all simulation games, to describe Maia simply, it is a $25 cash grab. There is no effort from the developers, no effort from the creator, and no effort to improve the game at all. The controls are terrible and just clunky in general. Not to mention how hardcore this game is; hardcore games can be fun, but Maia is just so hardcore to the point where it can't even be considered 'fun' anymore. I can't recommend this game to anyone.”
- “Take it off the monetization.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a hilariously depressive tone that leaves players confused about the narrative's coherence, yet still evokes strong emotional reactions, including breakdowns. Despite the surreal elements, the game effectively engages players on an emotional level, highlighting the absurdity of their experiences.
- “People have just walked through walls to escape rooms somehow and yet still had some sort of emotional breakdown; I have no idea why anything that happens in this game actually happens.”
- “To sell this game by its emotional appeal is mainly noting its hilariously depressive tone.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
Players note that the introduction of a tech tree is expected to enhance replayability by extending gameplay duration and offering new strategies. While recent updates have improved the game's playability, further development is still needed to fully realize its potential for replay value.
- “Based on the research I completed, it seems that the goal is to eventually implement a tech tree into the game, which would increase the time to 'finish' the game and also enhance replayability.”
- “With the recent updates, the game has become more playable, which adds to its overall replayability.”
- “The introduction of new features and mechanics keeps the gameplay fresh, encouraging players to return for multiple playthroughs.”
- “But based on the research that I completed and finished, it seems that the goal is to eventually get a tech tree of some sort into the game, which would increase the time to 'finish' the game and also increase replayability.”
- “Still needs a lot of work; though with the recent updates, the game has become more playable.”