Planetbase

Planetbase has a handful of minor flaws, but the overall presentation is excellent despite these tiny problems. A fun game for people who like building and managing communities.

Starting at $9.15Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

Planetbase is a strategy simulation game where players build and manage a colony on distant planets. Overcome challenges such as low oxygen levels, extreme temperatures, and hostile alien life forms to ensure the survival of your colonists. Expand and upgrade your base with various structures and technologies to create a thriving, self-sufficient colony.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,773 reviews

gameplay200 positive mentions

story19 negative mentions

Charming graphics and a relaxing atmosphere make it enjoyable to build and manage a colony.
The game offers a good balance of challenge and accessibility, making it easy to learn but hard to master.
Multiple planets with varying difficulties provide replayability and unique challenges.

The AI is often frustratingly unresponsive, leading to colonists starving or failing to perform critical tasks.
Limited building placement options and no ability to rotate structures can hinder base design.
Once a colony is established, the game can become repetitive with little incentive to continue beyond achieving milestones.

gameplay
703 mentions
28 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Planetbase" is characterized by its straightforward mechanics and engaging resource management challenges, making it accessible yet rewarding for players. While many appreciate the addictive nature of the gameplay loop and the depth of strategy involved in managing a colony, some criticize the AI behavior and pathfinding issues that can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, the game offers a solid foundation for a city-building simulation, but players may find it repetitive and lacking in content after mastering the initial mechanics.
- “The straightforward gameplay combined with the challenge of resource management keeps it engaging from start to finish.”
- “Simple, intuitive gameplay: with clear guidance and easily recognizable symbols, managing a colony feels straightforward and rewarding.”
- “The balance between managing resources, expanding your base, and ensuring the survival of your settlers creates a compelling gameplay loop that is hard to put down.”
- “A few negatives: the game has some wonky pathfinding and a few frustrating mechanics.”
- “There really isn't enough gameplay to justify the price tag.”
- “The gameplay is simple, but every action is sensitive to your colony's survival, so you do need to do some careful planning.”
graphics
458 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users praising their aesthetic charm and smooth performance even on lower-end systems. While some reviews noted that the visuals are not groundbreaking, they are considered appealing and well-executed for an indie title, contributing to an immersive gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics are described as decent to excellent, enhancing the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “With its stunning visuals, deep gameplay mechanics, and immersive world-building, it stands as a shining example of what the simulation genre can achieve.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is easy to understand.”
- “The graphics are very nice and make the game more immersive.”
- “The graphics are basic and unappealing.”
- “The visuals are, to be blunt, poor.”
- “I get it's an indie, but I just can't get past the potato graphics... it just seems like a low-res port of any other space sim game but with less interest.”
story
176 mentions
7 % positive mentions
82 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game lacks a cohesive story or narrative, with players primarily focused on survival and base-building without any overarching plot or character development. While some players appreciate the challenge of managing resources and colonists, many express a desire for a more engaging storyline or mission objectives to enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, the absence of a meaningful narrative leaves the game feeling somewhat shallow and repetitive after completing the available challenges.
- “What I like most is that it puts me into a sci-fi story mode.”
- “You lead a group of 7 people who are either a biologist, engineer, worker, or a medic, on a mission to survive and colonize a planet.”
- “The story of Dax Stewart is a sad one; he left his home and everything he knew to do his part in thrusting mankind forward amongst the stars.”
- “There does not appear to be any story line.”
- “This game lacks a story and interesting mission objectives (reaching the same milestones on 4 planets like having 300 people, having 1000 money is not fun enough to do multiple times).”
- “It's pretty much a sandbox game with no story mode.”
replayability
175 mentions
23 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it enjoyable for a few hours due to its randomized maps and challenges across different planets, while others criticize it for becoming repetitive and lacking depth after initial playthroughs. Many reviews highlight that once players master the mechanics, the incentive to continue diminishes significantly, leading to a consensus that replay value is limited without additional content or updates. Overall, while there are elements that can enhance replayability, such as mod support and community-created scenarios, the game may not sustain long-term engagement for all players.
- “The game has a lot of replay value; for starters, it will take a while for you to master the aspects required to start and properly establish a self-sufficient colony.”
- “Great game, has replay value -- once you've mastered the basics, the game includes 3 additional planet types that will make you rethink how to play, and also challenge modes to try various handicaps and see how that affects your gameplay.”
- “With such a large variety in planets, conditions, and scenarios, the game has much replayability.”
- “Overall, I'd give this a 5/10; worth a few hours and the novelty of trying to get all the milestones on each of the 4 planets, but not much replayability after that.”
- “It seems neat at first, but there is no real replay value.”
- “In general, yes this is a fun game to get yourself into for a few hours, but replayability is pretty weak, and it can get repetitive quite quickly, also due to the lack of real challenge.”
music
143 mentions
52 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its relaxing and ambient qualities, enhancing the overall experience without being intrusive. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to create a calming atmosphere, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. While the music is well-suited to the game's theme, a few reviewers express a desire for more variety and additional tracks to maintain engagement during extended play sessions.
- “The music is addictive.”
- “Awesome ambient game music and sound effects.”
- “The music fits the theme well.”
- “The only thing more annoying than that is the music, and it is pretty bad.”
- “The music gets old real quick.”
- “The repetitive soundtrack can annoy you after a while, but it's a common feature of the genre, I guess.”
stability
101 mentions
13 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant issues related to the AI, which is often described as buggy and unresponsive, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. While some users have experienced smooth performance and no glitches, others have faced frequent freezes and crashes, particularly when managing larger colonies. Overall, the game appears to be a mix of solid mechanics and enjoyable graphics, but it is hampered by persistent bugs and AI problems that detract from the overall experience.
- “The basics of base building and gradual expansion are simple and relatively bug free.”
- “No glitches and ran smooth as butter.”
- “What really gives this game a positive review is that even though there's limited features at the moment, the game is completely optimized and is bug free.”
- “Fun for the first little bit, but eventually the buggy AI starts to hinder this game.”
- “The suicidally braindead AI and buggy colonist ships kneecapping any attempts to have a productive colony are frustrating.”
- “My main issue is the frustrating and buggy priority system in this game.”
grinding
96 mentions
2 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game where players feel the gameplay becomes a monotonous cycle of resource management and base expansion. While some enjoy the initial challenge and strategic elements, many reviewers express frustration with the lack of meaningful achievements and the overwhelming micromanagement required, leading to a sense of boredom and frustration as the game progresses. Overall, while the game has enjoyable moments, the grinding nature can detract significantly from the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Yeah, okay, it's kinda grindy.”
- “Way too tedious with no real achievements worth getting excited about.”
- “This game isn't horrible, but it's not fun, it's not rewarding, and it's tedious.”
- “Once you're through the initial difficulty curve the whole task becomes pointless and tedious.”
atmosphere
63 mentions
44 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, effectively transporting players to various alien environments with distinct weather challenges and visual aesthetics. Reviewers appreciate the combination of atmospheric conditions, such as breathable and unbreathable environments, which add depth to the gameplay experience, while the graphics and sound design further enhance the overall ambiance. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay mechanics, the atmospheric feel remains a standout feature that captivates players and contributes significantly to their enjoyment.
- “The atmosphere makes this game.”
- “Immersive atmosphere, well done.”
- “Such a beautiful atmosphere, and I want to experience more of it.”
- “It's a challenging experience with a stranded, desperate atmosphere, one that is tense just waiting for the next disaster that can just end your game.”
- “Love the idea, just sadly poor implementation of overall management atmosphere.”
- “You can restart a map and you'll have a different landscape, but you'll still have to use the same buildings to fill each need of your base, the same techs, the same people... I restarted a map on another planet, and except for the feeling of a different atmosphere which needs a bit of tweaking of my energy production facilities, I didn't really feel a challenge to it.”
optimization
37 mentions
49 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance, even on older and low-end hardware, with only minor issues arising in large colonies. While the graphics are decent and the game runs well without crashes, some players noted that the AI and UI could benefit from further optimization to enhance the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the game is considered well-optimized for its genre, allowing for intricate details and a satisfying gameplay experience.
- “Optimized performance: even on a Mac, the game ran well, only struggling slightly when colonies reached massive sizes.”
- “Planetbase is an enjoyable, well-optimized game for fans of survival and strategy.”
- “The game promotes creativity - while you can still build haphazardly and win, making a beautiful base with a well-planned layout that runs smoothly and efficiently is extremely satisfying.”
- “Occasional lag in large colonies: performance issues may arise with extensive colonies, especially on less powerful systems.”
- “The AI is poorly optimized, the tutorial explains very little, and there is an irritating mix of realistic yet difficult aspects and unrealistic yet difficult aspects.”
- “It always feels like they could have taken the mechanic one step further or optimized one more aspect to make it more playable near end game.”
humor
18 mentions
94 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted and often absurd take on planetary base building, with players finding amusement in the quirky behaviors of colonists and the ridiculous situations they create. While some elements, like the AI's antics and the concept of an anti-meteor laser, elicit laughter, the humor tends to fade as gameplay becomes easier and more predictable. Overall, players appreciate the comedic potential but feel that the game could benefit from more engaging and varied humorous content.
- “Being a simulation game, one of the interesting bits is watching how the colonists respond to things, learning their rhythms of food and sleep, and just laughing at the stupid things that they do.”
- “Earth space colonies even had vague attempts at humor with its dialogues between members of your staff and an artificial intelligence.”
- “Anti-meteor laser is hilarious at first.”
- “So bad, it's actually funny.”
emotional
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find it therapeutic and appreciate the freedom to zone out without guilt, others experience intense frustration and heartbreak during critical moments, such as the death of a colonist just before reaching safety. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, from joy to despair, but lacks deep emotional attachment to characters.
- “This game has made me feel better.”
- “I've never met a strategy game that made me feel like it was okay to zone out and not feel guilty.”
- “I cry out in joy as I believe he will make it, only to hear the heart-breaking notification noise that a colonist has died, two feet from the food maker.”
monetization
7 mentions
14 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
57 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and DLC, which allows for a more genuine gaming experience. However, others feel that the game's mechanics resemble a waiting game typical of mobile games, leading to concerns about player control and engagement. Overall, while some view the developers' approach as a labor of love, others suspect it may be a cash grab.
- “Developers continue to improve and add content, with no whispers of DLC or microtransactions.”
- “It takes control away from the player and makes this a waiting game like a mobile game, only you don't have microtransactions to speed things up, thank god.”
- “This seems like a cash grab by the devs to get more money out of people and a very poorly considered strategy if that was their intent.”
- “My expectations were low, but the advertisement looked good so I thought I would give it a try.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Planetbase excels in character development by providing a variety of diverse character designs and allowing players to engage in interior design, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetic of their base. This combination offers players a deeper level of control and personalization in their gameplay experience.
- “Planetbase does a really good job of scratching that itch by not only offering fun, various, and diverse character designs, but also lets you do some interior design, giving you even more control over how your base functions and looks.”