Planetoid Pioneers

57%
Game Brain Score Based on 211 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Planetoid Pioneers Game Cover
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Planetoid Pioneers is an action-adventure game that allows players to explore, build, and fight on procedurally generated planets. With a physics-based sandbox editor, players can create their own vehicles, structures, and weapons using various parts and modules. The game also features a campaign mode with puzzles, challenges, and a story line to follow.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 211 reviews
gameplay7 positive mentions
optimization5 negative mentions
  • The game features impressive physics and a unique movement system that can be entertaining once mastered.
  • There is potential for creativity and fun through modding and community content, which can enhance the gameplay experience.
  • The graphics and sound design are well-executed, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere.
  • The game is severely lacking in content and feels unfinished, with many players expressing disappointment over its abandonment by the developers.
  • Controls are clunky and frustrating, making basic movement and gameplay tedious and unenjoyable.
  • Performance issues, including long loading times and frequent crashes, significantly detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay33 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its interesting mechanics and solid core experience reminiscent of titles like Cortex Command, while others criticize it for lacking content and feeling tedious. Many users suggest that the game relies heavily on community-generated content to enhance its longevity, and the current state of gameplay is seen as minimal and unengaging. Overall, the experience varies significantly depending on player involvement and the availability of user-created content.

    • “The gameplay itself is solid and I loved Cortex Command.”
    • “Just like Cortex Command, the game draws its fun from the pure hectic nature of its gameplay, and it's amazing.”
    • “Core gameplay content made by the developers is an enjoyable 7-8 hour survival mission on a large planetoid, which is honestly enough on its own for a $15 game.”
    • “There is almost nothing to do in it and gameplay is almost entirely nonexistent.”
    • “What it lacks is the very quality (or should I say quantity) that would categorize this as a game: gameplay and content.”
    • “In its current state, gameplay is virtually nonexistent.”
  • graphics17 mentions

    Overall, the graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the art style, colorful landscapes, and attention to detail, such as screen shake effects. However, players also report significant issues, including long loading times, low framerates, and a lack of graphic settings, which detract from the overall experience. While the visuals are considered up-to-date and appealing, some users feel the game is not fully polished for a complete release.

    • “Graphics are good and there's lots of little touches like the shake of the screen when firing guns, really adds to the feel of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack and art style are great, the enemies are strange and interesting, there are humor elements... and you actually feel that you are exploring an unknown planet.”
    • “The colorful graphics and landscapes are awesome.”
    • “Extremely long load times, even with an Intel i7 processor and a $650 graphics card.”
    • “However, it is also quite obvious that the game is not quite ready for a full release - placeholder text, the level editor is directly usable in the main game, no graphic settings, tanking framerates, long loading times (especially the very first start), wonky fullscreen mode... I expect this from early access titles and not from release versions.”
    • “Given the simple nature of the graphics in the game, my assumption is this is caused by the physics engine.”
  • story12 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by a lighthearted and humorous tone, focusing on survival missions rather than traditional planetary warfare. Players engage in a series of short missions, primarily centered around escaping a planetoid, with limited narrative depth and progression, culminating in a brief experience that may leave some players wanting more. While the core gameplay is enjoyable, the lack of a substantial story or cooperative elements detracts from its overall appeal.

    • “The storytelling is goofy and funny, matching the clumsy ragdoll physics which just get more charming the more you get used to it.”
    • “Core gameplay content made by the developers is an enjoyable 7-8 hour survival mission on a large planetoid, which is honestly enough on its own for a $15 game.”
    • “You spend a few hours playing through what was marketed as the game's story.”
    • “There is literally nothing else in terms of story or progression, it just ends there.”
    • “Ultimately the game's current setup reflects that, with the short 'story' and the 10 minigames.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and crashes, even on systems that meet the recommended specifications. While some updates have improved performance, the overall consensus is that the game still struggles with optimization, particularly in scenarios with high particle counts. Users remain hopeful for further improvements in future updates.

    • “I've read that the game isn't fully optimized, so it's possible this issue may just get better over time; we'll see.”
    • “As of update 7 (07-29-18), it is optimized to the point that I can finally recommend it—fun and unique game with lots of potential.”
    • “I was quite surprised how quickly they addressed the bugs in early launch, as the game runs smoothly on both my laptop and desktop.”
    • “Hard to recommend a game with such poor performance on a system with the recommended specs.”
    • “It can be tough to get 60+ frames in this game as of right now; I've been dealing with frames lower than 10 at times, and stuttering now and then, and I'm not really sure why that is, as my setup should be more than capable of handling it.”
    • “Runs horribly (stuttering every few seconds), crashes, takes forever to load.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its goofy storytelling, charming ragdoll physics, and self-aware comedic elements that enhance the overall experience. Players find the quirky character movements and unexpected deaths amusing, while the strange enemies and entertaining voice acting contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere. Multiplayer sessions are particularly highlighted as a source of hilarity, making the game a fun experience for friends and family.

    • “The storytelling is goofy and funny, matching the clumsy ragdoll physics which just get more charming the more you get used to it.”
    • “This is the only game that has made me laugh at my silly ways to die.”
    • “The voice acting is pretty good, and the whole self-aware humor was quite on the spot, to add on to a great exploration/puzzle game.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting numerous glitches and bugs that significantly impact gameplay. While some players find it enjoyable despite these issues, others express frustration over frequent stutters and freezes, leading to disappointment and a desire for refunds. Overall, the game appears to struggle with stability, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Runs great!”
    • “Filled with too many glitches to count; it glitched out on primoid, and I failed it.”
    • “Stutters and freezes constantly despite a good PC.”
    • “Holy crap, this is a buggy, glitchy piece of software.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging soundtrack that complements the art style and enhances the exploration experience. Reviewers highlight its nostalgic 80s vibe, with references to humor and unique enemy designs, contributing to an immersive atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's overall appeal.

    • “The soundtrack and art style are great, the enemies are strange and interesting, there are humor elements... and you actually feel that you are exploring an unknown planet.”
    • “Lovely sprites and soundtrack.”
    • “Oh, and don't even get me started on the art and music... just so damn good!”
    • “The music feels outdated and lacks originality, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The soundtrack is repetitive and doesn't add any excitement to the gameplay.”
    • “The music choices seem mismatched with the game's theme, creating a disjointed experience.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and lacking meaningful progression, as it primarily involves repetitive tasks across different worlds without character development. Additionally, issues with physics and the need for more efficient blueprint saving contribute to the overall frustration with the grinding experience.

    • “Half-baked proof-of-concept with no actual progression other than unlocking a few different worlds where you do the same thing as on the first - and no continuation of your first character, either - all that blueprint grinding?”
    • “Gameplay seemed really tedious.”
    • “The only downside is the physics need some work so people do not get stuck as often, and maybe more saving progress with blueprints since it is tedious to get them every time I am on a new plantoid.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization of the game is criticized as a "cash grab," with users noting that it feels unfinished and lacks significant updates or improvements since its initial release. The reliance on outdated advertising and events further contributes to the perception of neglect and stagnation in the game's development.

    • “This game feels like an unfinished cash grab; it's just the Cortex Command 2 engine that never got completed, much like the original Cortex Command.”
    • “All advertising and events for this game are outdated, and honestly, not much has changed in terms of gameplay and entities from then to now.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a fitting background music score and quirky ragdoll physics, contributing to a unique and engaging experience that many players find appealing and even "sexy."

    • “The background music fits the atmosphere well, and I personally enjoy the wonky ragdoll physics.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Reviewers indicate that the game's replayability is limited and does not justify its full price, suggesting that it may only be worth purchasing at a significant discount.

    • “If you can get it on sale for 75% off, sure, I guess, but the replayability does not warrant its current price.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
3-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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