Offworld Trading Company

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,562 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Offworld Trading Company Game Cover
Offworld Trading Company combines economic strategy with innovation and polish, resulting in a game which feels exciting, deep and fun all at once. Not an easy combination to pull off - the developers should be proud, and gamers should be delighted.
Starting at €7.24Buy now
Get on Steam

Offworld Trading Company is a real-time strategy game set on Mars. Players compete as space-age corporations, vying for resources and control of the Martian market. Manage resources, finances, and sabotage to outmaneuver opponents and dominate the Red Planet's economy.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,562 reviews
gameplay141 positive mentions
optimization11 negative mentions
  • Unique and innovative take on the RTS genre, focusing on economic strategy rather than combat.
  • Engaging gameplay with a steep learning curve that rewards strategic thinking and adaptability.
  • Great graphics and soundtrack, creating an immersive atmosphere.
  • Steep learning curve can be frustrating for new players, leading to early losses without clear understanding.
  • Matches can feel repetitive and short, lacking long-term progression or depth.
  • Multiplayer community is small, making it difficult to find matches and diminishing the overall experience.
  • gameplay521 mentions

    The gameplay of "Offworld Trading Company" is characterized by its unique blend of economic strategy and real-time decision-making, offering a steep learning curve that rewards players who master its mechanics. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of strategies available, some find the gameplay can become repetitive and simplistic once the core mechanics are understood. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging and polished mechanics, though it may not appeal to those seeking traditional combat-focused gameplay.

    • “Very dynamic gameplay with a high learning curve.”
    • “The core game ideas, mechanics, and loop are solid.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and rewarding.”
    • “The gameplay is simple on the whole, but the pathways to victory are numerous.”
    • “The gameplay is tight, controls work as expected, the dialogue suits the theme of the game.”
    • “The gameplay is solidly based in economic theory, at least at the thematic level, which definitely exceeded my expectations.”
  • graphics191 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the aesthetic and art style, describing it as beautiful, clean, and well-executed. However, some users criticize the graphics as basic or lacking in immersion, noting performance issues and a need for optimization. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered pleasant, they are not the primary draw of the game, with gameplay often taking precedence.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, with dinky mines and factories chuntering away on a tilt-shift Martian landscape, but the sound is workmanlike, and narrative non-existent.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful with lots of fun little details, the factions seem varied enough to encourage/cater to different playstyles, and I generally like terraforming as an aesthetic.”
    • “Great graphics, excellent soundtrack, amusing and entertaining characters and a plethora of different ways to play and conquer.”
    • “Additionally, the game's graphics and visuals are fairly basic and don't do much to immerse the player in the space-based world.”
    • “My biggest issue with this game is that the graphics to performance ratio is, in my view, lacking.”
    • “Unfortunately, I did encounter some graphical issues, but I feel that is more because my computer is at the low end of the (Mac) system requirements, and not because of the game.”
  • story127 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal and disconnected from the gameplay, with many players describing the campaign as a series of short, repetitive skirmishes lacking a compelling narrative. While the tutorial missions are praised for their engaging writing, the main campaign fails to provide a meaningful storyline or character development, leaving players feeling unmotivated and disappointed. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on strategic gameplay than on delivering a rich, story-driven experience.

    • “The story to the game is limited to its DLC, but creative players can write their own as they play through single-player campaigns.”
    • “The campaign mode adds another level of fun, where you progress through different missions and upgrade your faction between missions.”
    • “This fast-paced RTS game is worth buying for the single-player campaign missions alone.”
    • “The story is nonexistent, and the game has a steep learning curve (playing is easy, but you can get crushed by an opponent and not have a clear picture why).”
    • “There is no story and no emphasis on the CEO characters.”
    • “After a few missions with no real plot or explanation of your conquests on Mars, you easily finish the campaign in a couple of hours.”
  • music118 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its immersive and dynamic integration that enhances gameplay, particularly highlighting the work of composer Christopher Tin. While some players find the soundtrack beautiful and fitting, others criticize certain tracks as annoying or unremarkable, suggesting that the music could be improved. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its ability to build intensity during gameplay, though some players recommend muting it in favor of personal playlists.

    • “The soundtrack truly makes this game what it is, ramping up in intensity and aggressiveness as a playthrough reaches its apex.”
    • “The music is beautiful and the tempo builds as the match progresses, giving you a real rush at the end.”
    • “The love and effort which the devs have put into this game really show - not only in the tight game mechanics but also the pleasing artwork and soundtrack.”
    • “The sound effects and music are also lackluster and can become annoying after a while.”
    • “Some songs are okay, many are just annoying.”
    • “Just do yourself one favor: turn off both the music and the sound effects.”
  • replayability99 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high replay value due to diverse factions, random map generation, and various game modes like campaigns and daily challenges. However, some reviewers feel that the game can become repetitive or lacks depth, leading to a subjective experience of replayability that varies among players. Overall, while many find it highly replayable, others express concerns about its long-term engagement.

    • “It's a great game, and the different factions, with their subtle differences, add a lot of replayability.”
    • “The campaigns are fun and have good replayability due to the different special bonuses each race and character has, as well as the random perks and contracts that pop up.”
    • “Fast-paced and replayable thanks to different factions, tech avenues, and resource availabilities, it comes highly recommended!”
    • “So the replay value is totally diminished because you have no chance to a fair game.”
    • “I like the concept of the game, and enjoyed the first several matches, but the replayability is low for me.”
    • “Within a matter of 2 days had not only beaten the campaign, but had exhausted (unless I missed something) every aspect of playability and replay value that the game has to offer.”
  • optimization46 mentions

    The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting poor performance, low frame rates, and stuttering even on powerful systems. While some updates have improved performance for certain setups, the overall consensus is that significant optimization work is still needed, particularly for lower-end machines and Mac users. Despite its engaging concept and gameplay, the optimization issues detract from the overall experience, making it unplayable for many.

    • “It's about optimization much more than expansion.”
    • “Fun to figure out the different optimization strategies.”
    • “The sheer amount of stuff you can customize for each run (patents, optimization, contracting/hiring staff, etc.) allows for a myriad of strategies you can try against the different competition and conditions in each colony.”
    • “Terrible performance, my system is powerful but this game is so poorly optimized that it only runs on low settings at 15 fps. Such a shame as it is a good concept but so poorly made.”
    • “Unplayable due to poor optimization.”
    • “Performance is a disaster after playing fifteen minutes or so; reducing the graphics wasn't a solution.”
  • humor34 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, particularly in the tutorials and multiplayer interactions, which often lead to hilarious moments among players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend strategy with comedic elements, making the experience both entertaining and engaging, though some feel it occasionally tries too hard to be funny. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay, providing a lighthearted backdrop to the strategic challenges players face.

    • “Masquerade also makes players go bananas, especially since we play with voice chat, and when someone gets their patent stolen, they go bananas and it's really funny.”
    • “The humor and thoroughness of the tutorial made it one of the best I've ever played.”
    • “The game runs like butter, the UI feels great, and the writing is absolutely hilarious.”
  • stability25 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting frequent UI freezes and crashes, while others have experienced minimal issues and found it largely bug-free. Many users noted that the game runs well after initial troubleshooting, but there are still ongoing concerns about multiplayer stability and minor graphical glitches. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, others highlight significant bugs that detract from gameplay.

    • “This game is bug-free, glitchless, and has clearly been play-tested thoroughly.”
    • “We have played probably 50 games with no glitches or crashes of any kind.”
    • “It's nice as the games aren't civilization length, and the gameplay is pretty straightforward and bug-free.”
    • “The biggest issue I have is the UI freezes up on me frequently.”
    • “This game is buggy and crashes a lot.”
    • “There are some issues with making lobbies and changing hosts mid-game that are being worked out, as well as a few smaller glitches.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often overwhelming, particularly due to excessive achievements that require repetitive tasks. While some enjoy the initial gameplay, many feel that the grind becomes burdensome, detracting from the overall enjoyment and replayability. The balance between resource management and gameplay enjoyment is often criticized, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's long-term engagement.

    • “The tutorial is tedious and not fun with too many nonsensical dialogs.”
    • “Also, they went full-on over the top with the achievements, which, besides being numerous, can be either very grindy or even semi-impossible (achievements for playing/winning against the game's lead designer? That's awful!), which, combined with the aforementioned dislike, earned this negative review.”
    • “The game becomes tedious, requiring you to focus too much on the market and resources without getting to enjoy building a colony.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game involves a standalone third-party launcher that includes ads, which some players find frustrating, especially after paying for the game. Users express disappointment with the disconnect between the game's advertised features and its actual gameplay, suggesting that the promotional materials do not accurately reflect the game's complexity and mechanics. Overall, the monetization approach has led to mixed feelings, with some players wishing for more transparency in advertising.

    • “The game uses a standalone, third-party launcher, which has ads.”
    • “It's like watching the adverts before a YouTube clip, right after you paid to see it without ads.”
    • “Wish I had spent it on another game with more honest advertising of its depth of gameplay.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting feelings of heartache and tension during competitive matches, especially when facing the threat of being eliminated by AI or when their strategies lead to the emotional defeat of friends and family. The anticipation and stakes involved in gameplay create a rollercoaster of emotions, making victories feel impactful yet bittersweet.

    • “After a few matches, I quickly learned how the game worked and it was heart-wrenching when the AI was approaching enough money to buy me out (you'll get a timer when that happens).”
    • “When you don't just win, but emotionally crush your friends and family who are playing with you.”
    • “It is heartbreaking to wait for an hour to get into a 4-player free-for-all and then your character is taken over by an AI for some unknown reason.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by standout music and a sense of pressure that enriches gameplay, even in solo modes. Players appreciate the engaging environment that mirrors the social dynamics of board games, making it a compelling experience with diverse strategies and unique faction playstyles. Overall, it successfully creates a captivating and addictive atmosphere.

    • “The music stands out as being incredibly immersive and atmospheric.”
    • “Even just playing against the computer (up to 4 players) is fun, because the atmosphere of pressure and trying to do your best is very hardwired into the gameplay.”
    • “It's a pleasant game with a good atmosphere.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is perceived as minimal, with some noting that while character designs may reflect modern sensibilities, the lack of meaningful interaction limits the depth of character engagement.

    • “The character designs are overly focused on being 'woke', but it hardly matters since you don't really interact with the characters.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and unengaging, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
    • “There is a lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth, leaving the development feeling flat and uninspired.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Offworld Trading Company

Play time

9hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
5-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News