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Planet Scanner

Planet Scanner Game Cover
83%Game Brain Score
atmosphere, graphics
gameplay, story
100% User Score Based on 34 reviews

Platforms

PCWindowsPlayStation
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Planet Scanner Game Cover

About

Planet Scanner is a single player casual simulation game with horror and comedy themes. It was developed by hamgoblin and was released on October 22, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

This is a condensed portion of the full experience, coming to Steam in October and available to wishlist now. You're just here to do a job. The universe has other plans. You are ScanCorp's newest Planet Scanner and your task is to discover, study, and claim distant planets on behalf of your employer. The business of selling planets is booming, especially as the search for intelligent alien life …

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Planet Scanner screenshot
Planet Scanner screenshot
Planet Scanner screenshot
Planet Scanner screenshot
Planet Scanner screenshot
Planet Scanner screenshot
Planet Scanner screenshot
Planet Scanner screenshot
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100%
Audience ScoreBased on 34 reviews
atmosphere4 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fun and addictive gameplay loop, combining job simulation with cosmic horror elements that keep players engaged.
  • The atmosphere and storytelling are well-crafted, with clever use of in-game emails and social media that enhance the immersive experience.
  • Players appreciate the gradual increase in complexity and mechanics, making the game enjoyable and rewarding as they progress.
  • The game can feel slow-paced at times, which may not appeal to everyone, and some players wish for an endless mode to explore without time constraints.
  • There are minor bugs and issues, such as crashes when aborting uploads and settings not saving, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • Limited replay value and a lack of variety in star systems may leave some players wanting more after completing the game.
  • gameplay
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is engaging and cleverly integrates mechanics that evolve alongside the story, maintaining player interest throughout. While the core mechanics are entertaining, some players desire more variety in the star systems to enhance gameplay diversity. Overall, the experience is enjoyable, with a well-implemented stock market mechanic and a unique slow-burn psychological horror atmosphere.

    • “The music and atmosphere set a good vibe, and how the gameplay built upon itself to tell the story was amusing and clever.”
    • “Needless to say, the mechanics themselves are entertaining and the gradual increase in their complexity combined with the unfolding story made for an experience that definitely kept my interest.”
    • “9/10 there's quite a bit of fun to be had here and the stock market mechanic is very well implemented.”
    • “As time progresses, more mechanics are added to shake up the process, although I do wish there was a bit more variety between star systems, like having twin suns or asteroid belts, all with their gameplay implications, because without it, they don't much differ from one another.”
    • “Not the scariest game I've ever played, as it isn't full of jump scares, but it does dish up a slow burn psychological horror experience that I've been describing as 'eldritch horror in outer space.' I found the scanning mechanic to be a little confusing at first, but after the first couple of nights, I got into a rhythm with it that helped me push through the game quickly.”
    • “The mechanic of the scanning was fun, and I am a sucker for this type of game, so I hope to see more in the future.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, with users highlighting the effective use of music and environmental storytelling. The sense of isolation and tension, particularly in a remote setting, contributes to a captivating experience that culminates in a memorable conclusion. Overall, the game successfully creates a focused and atmospheric environment that enhances the gameplay.

    • “The music and atmosphere set a good vibe, and how the gameplay built upon itself to tell the story was amusing and clever.”
    • “A nice game that makes the most out of a minimal setting, good atmosphere working away scanning planets.”
    • “The atmosphere of being alone on a remote station while the universe falls around you is epic.”
    • “The eerie transmissions and haunting atmosphere build up to a terrifying, unforgettable conclusion.”
  • story
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is presented as a slow burn, delivered through in-game emails and a social media-style news feed, requiring players to immerse themselves for full appreciation. The clever integration of gameplay mechanics with the unfolding narrative, complemented by an engaging soundtrack, creates an entertaining experience that maintains player interest despite its brevity. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its depth and creativity.

    • “Needless to say the mechanics themselves are entertaining and the gradual increase in their complexity combined with the unfolding story made for an experience that definitely kept my interest.”
    • “The story is delivered to you in-game emails, and a sort of social media and news feed, detailing the happenings around the galaxy, all while you spend your time looking for planets with increasing demands and profit quotas.”
    • “Sure, it's a slow burn; and the way the story is presented means that to get the most of it you really have to immerse yourself in it.”
    • “The music and atmosphere set a good vibe, and how the gameplay built upon itself to tell the story was amusing and clever.”
  • graphics
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics are described as charming, complemented by appealing music, though some users note that there are moments where the visuals lack variety.

    • “The visuals and music are charming, creating an enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring the world to life.”
    • “The art style is unique and captivating, making every scene a visual delight.”
    • “The visuals and music are charming, although there's not much to see at times.”
  • music
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is praised for its charm and ability to enhance the atmosphere, contributing to an enjoyable storytelling experience. While the visuals may lack variety at times, the soundtrack effectively sets a positive vibe, making the short gameplay feel engaging and clever.

    • “The music and atmosphere set a good vibe, and how the gameplay built upon itself to tell the story was amusing and clever.”
    • “Overall it was a short but fun game with great storytelling and a nice soundtrack.”
    • “The visuals and music are charming, although there's not much to see at times.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users generally find that the game has limited replay value, suggesting that once completed, there is little incentive to play through it again.

    • “However, there is limited replay value.”
    • “The game lacks incentives for multiple playthroughs.”
    • “Once you finish the game, there's little reason to return.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is well-received, with players appreciating the clever integration of world-building elements like news feeds, chat logs, and advertisements that add a humorous layer to the experience.

    • “The humor's pretty good so far too.”
    • “The thought and detail of world-building with the news feeds, chat logs, and advertisements is a nice touch and can be pretty humorous.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is creatively integrated through world-building elements like news feeds, chat logs, and advertisements, which add humor and depth to the experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Planet Scanner is a casual simulation game with horror and comedy themes.

Planet Scanner is available on PC, Windows and PlayStation.

Planet Scanner was released on October 22, 2024.

Planet Scanner was developed by hamgoblin.

Planet Scanner has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its atmosphere but disliked it for its gameplay.

Planet Scanner is a single player game.

Similar games include DREDGE, The Norwood Suite, Through The Fragmentation, Whisper of the House, Keep Driving and others.