Planetoid Pioneers

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Planetoid Pioneers is a single player and multiplayer racing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Data Realms and was released on February 8, 2018. It received neutral reviews from players.

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59%

Audience ScoreBased on 241 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

optimization6 negative mentions

The game has a unique physics engine that allows for creative gameplay and experimentation.
There is potential for a strong modding community, with tools that enable players to create their own content.
The graphics and art style are appealing, providing a colorful and engaging environment.

The game feels unfinished and lacks substantial content, making it feel more like a tech demo than a complete game.
There are numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and poor optimization.
The controls can be frustratingly clunky, making movement and gameplay less enjoyable.

gameplay
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
71%
8%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users noting a lack of content and engaging mechanics, leading to a feeling of tedium. While some appreciate the technical features and potential for creativity through community content, others feel that the core gameplay is insufficient and lacks polish. Overall, the game seems to rely heavily on user-generated content to enhance the gameplay experience, which may not appeal to everyone.
- “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.”
- “There's a lot to love about this game, and what I've described is only a very small portion of what there is to experience in this game. There are multiple planets, some with entirely different gameplay experiences, a multiplayer expansion, and an in-depth editor that lets you modify and create whatever you see fit, all within the game itself, making it extremely easy to test new things out in-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.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
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 during gameplay. However, some players criticize long loading times, performance issues, and the presence of placeholder elements, suggesting that the game may not be fully polished. Overall, while the visuals are generally well-received, technical shortcomings detract from the experience for some users.
- “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 colorful graphics and landscapes are awesome.”
- “Graphics look up to date with better lighting and smoke effects.”
- “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.”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The game's story is characterized by a lighthearted and humorous tone, focusing on escape missions rather than traditional planetary warfare. While the core gameplay offers a solid 7-8 hour survival experience, the narrative feels limited, with minimal progression and a lack of depth beyond the main missions and a few mini-games. However, the community's creativity allows players to craft their own stories and experiences, enhancing the overall narrative potential.
- “The storytelling is goofy and funny, matching the clumsy ragdoll physics which just get more charming the more you get used to it.”
- “The Steam community is rife with a lot of creative minds, coming up with amazing storylines, vehicles, and creatures.”
- “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.”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
31%
46%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as 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 suffers from optimization problems that detract from the experience. Players hope future updates will further enhance stability and performance.
- “Really enjoy this game, though the optimization can be a huge problem at times.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
10%
80%
The game's stability has received largely negative feedback, with users reporting numerous glitches and bugs that significantly impact gameplay. While some players find it enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over frequent stutters and crashes, leading to disappointment and calls for refunds. Overall, the game appears to be unoptimized and in need of substantial improvements to its stability.
- “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.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging soundtrack that enhances the exploration experience, evoking a nostalgic 80s vibe. Reviewers highlight the combination of great art style and music, contributing to the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the game. However, some note that while the music and visuals are strong, other aspects of the game may not be as well-developed.
- “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 like a cheap imitation of 80's pop, lacking originality and depth.”
- “The soundtrack is repetitive and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “While the game aims for a nostalgic vibe, the music often falls flat and feels out of place.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and lacking meaningful progression, as it primarily involves unlocking new worlds without any significant character development. Additionally, issues with physics and the repetitive nature of blueprint collection contribute to a frustrating 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.”
- “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.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 advertising and events, which are now outdated.
- “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.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The game's replayability is seen as limited at full price, with some users suggesting it may only be worth it on sale. However, it does offer a substantial and customizable experience that can expand over time through user-generated content, enhancing its replay value.
- “It will ship with a substantial, replayable, and hand-built experience, expanding as more content by contributors becomes available both through the workshop and elsewhere.”
- “If you can get it on sale for 75% off, sure I guess, but the replayability does not warrant its current price.”
- “The game lacks meaningful content that encourages replayability, making it feel repetitive after the first playthrough.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return, as the side quests feel uninspired and lack depth.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
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.”