Rings of Saturn
- August 11, 2019
- Koder
- 24h median play time
In "Rings of Saturn" , mine for valuable minerals in the Saturn rings in 2273, but be prepared for a hard sci-fi experience with real physics and an unfolding mystery. The game is currently feature complete, with regular updates adding more content, ships, storylines, and upgrades. Players praise its immersive atmosphere, detailed ship systems, andoriginal soundtrack, despite it not being their usual game style.
Reviews
- Engaging and addictive gameplay loop that combines mining, upgrading, and exploration.
- Realistic physics and ship mechanics that provide a satisfying challenge and sense of immersion.
- Active developer support with frequent updates and a responsive community.
- Steep learning curve with minimal tutorial guidance, making it difficult for new players to grasp mechanics.
- Limited content and variety in missions, leading to potential repetitiveness in gameplay.
- Performance issues on some systems, particularly with frame rates dropping during encounters with other ships.
- gameplay314 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this space mining simulator is characterized by a simple yet addictive loop of mining asteroids, upgrading ships, and managing resources, all set within a realistic newtonian physics framework. While the mechanics are immersive and offer depth, players may find the learning curve steep due to a lack of comprehensive tutorials, and some aspects of the gameplay can feel repetitive over time. Overall, the game provides a satisfying experience for those who enjoy methodical gameplay and exploration, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its niche focus and limited narrative elements.
“The gameplay loop isn't all that flashy, but it's really satisfying and well done in my opinion.”
“The gameplay loop is rock-solid, as it's not just rewarding, but there's a surprisingly high-skill ceiling that allows you to learn and get better.”
“The gameplay is chill and mostly simple but quite satisfying.”
“Artificial difficulty mechanics and outdated design views from the developers suggest this is unlikely to evolve in a direction that will make for long-term enjoyment.”
“The core gameplay loop, being mining and selling rocks to mine again, is kind of boring.”
“While this game has some good ideas and mechanics, the core gameplay loop is boring and the game does not provide you with enough information.”
- story172 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as subtle and emergent, primarily revealed through crew interactions and random encounters rather than a structured narrative. While some players appreciate the depth of character backstories and the lore that unfolds during exploration, others find the lack of a clear overarching plot and the optional nature of story elements disappointing. Overall, the game offers a sandbox experience with hints of narrative that can be engaging for those willing to seek them out, but it may not satisfy players looking for a traditional, linear storyline.
“The story is not given to you, it happens around you.”
“There is a deep story beneath the mining and the world shows you, made me slow down and listen a bit more.”
“The game has a nice just-one-more-dive feel with a full market simulation rewarding you for the minerals you bring back, as well as several small character storylines and factions on the belt to keep things interesting.”
“There's no plot, no real story.”
“There is no main plot (no main quest line stuff), so it's mostly a sandbox experience.”
“The game is barren of content, no story, and the dev would rather make fury DLC instead of adding content to the game.”
- music101 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall experience with a mix of relaxing and intense tracks that suit various gameplay moments. While some players find the soundtrack to be somewhat generic or repetitive, many appreciate its ability to create an immersive environment, making it ideal for both exploration and combat. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, contributing to the game's chill vibe and engaging gameplay loop.
“Great soundtrack, enough details to get lost in for hours, and well worth the purchase price.”
“The atmosphere created by the music and art choices in this game are amazing.”
“This game is one of my favorites; something about accelerating and decelerating and mining in a not-so-distant future, and the music is perfect. It fits the environment.”
“The music's pretty generic.”
“Man... I heard this track with the gameplay and immediately bought the game, only to find out that the rest of the tracks sound like generic 'spacey' music... well, now I have to make my own playlist to play this game to...”
“- I'd like to have more/better music, but you can just mute it and put on Space Station Soma or Groove Salad on SomaFM (not a paid promotion, just a fan) and thank me later.”
- graphics71 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed but generally positive feedback, with many players appreciating the stunning visuals, thematic consistency, and attention to detail that enhance the overall experience. While some users note issues with optimization and frame rate drops, especially during intense scenes, the aesthetic is often described as charming and fitting for the game's sci-fi setting. Overall, the graphics are considered solid for the game's style, contributing to an immersive atmosphere despite some technical limitations.
“The game's stunning visuals and attention to scientific accuracy evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity that parallels the excitement I felt when I first embarked on my scientific expeditions.”
“The visuals and sound design are incredible too; everything has an almost cinematic majesty to it, and this does make up for the fact that the core gameplay loop is pretty repetitive.”
“I was impressed with the hard science and graphical detail, for example when using a mining laser the beam is only visible when passing through a dust cloud or impacting a surface.”
“Currently, optimization is really bad; with a 3060 Ti and i7 8700k, FPS can drop really low when there's a lot happening on screen, and with graphics like this, it's just unacceptable.”
“Love the graphic style and atmosphere, but to me, this game is unplayable on my MacBook Air - it's too choppy.”
“I've got a slow machine, but a game with this graphical style should run alright after turning quality to low - unfortunately, it hasn't made a big difference.”
- optimization63 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly in crowded scenes or after extended play sessions. While some users report improvements following updates, others still struggle with lag and low frame rates, especially on mid-range hardware. Overall, while the game shows potential and is enjoyable, it requires further optimization to enhance the gaming experience.
“Super fun space mining game that's surprisingly deep, really scratches the itch for being able to incredibly fine-tune your ship and the ship's systems to eke out desired performance.”
“Each part you install in your ship can be tuned to your desire and need, lasers and microwave generators can be fed more power and their frequencies more attuned for mining asteroids or destroying ships, mass drivers can hit harder but generate a more catastrophic explosion, thrusters and reactors can be pushed beyond their operational values, resulting in better performance but worse wear and risk of meltdowns.”
“The game is being updated constantly and performance improvements are appearing every now and then.”
“The optimization of the game is also really terrible, and you may struggle to run it at high fps even on modern hardware.”
“There is one major flaw and so far the only issue I have with this game: the performance is godawful, fps drops are the norm whenever you get more than just a few rocks on the screen or - heavens forbid - another ship.”
“Performance is still a bit mixed, usually it's fine but I notice when other ships are in the area, it breaks pretty quickly; whenever I see other ships around I try to get as far away as possible to not have them annoy me.”
- atmosphere59 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Δv is widely praised for its immersive and relaxing qualities, effectively capturing a hard sci-fi setting that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the combination of atmospheric sound design, art style, and a sense of exploration, which together create a unique and engaging environment that encourages repeated play. Despite some gameplay challenges, the overall ambiance is described as tranquil, addictive, and deeply rewarding, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The atmosphere created by the music and art choices in this game are amazing.”
“Fantastic atmosphere of the game in general, this eerie deep space vibe.. like exploring some jungle on an alien world, never knowing what you are going to find.”
“Awesome atmosphere and great attention to detail makes this game really enjoyable for hours on end.”
“The gameplay is slow, and can be frustrating, but it contributes to a tense and risky atmosphere.”
“Love the graphic style and atmosphere, but to me this game is unplayable on my MacBook Air - it's too choppy.”
“Although progression is rather slow, if you are looking for something to relax to after work and love industrial space settings, this game captures this atmosphere extremely well.”
- grinding34 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the game is heavily focused on grinding, particularly in its space mining mechanics, which some players find tedious and repetitive. However, others appreciate the depth and satisfaction that comes from optimizing their ship and engaging with the game's unique mechanics, suggesting that it can be enjoyable for those who appreciate grind-heavy gameplay. Overall, while the grinding aspect may deter some, it offers a relaxing and rewarding experience for fans of the genre.
“As I understand, there is more depth to the game, but given how grindy this part feels, I'm not sure I'm going to play long enough to get there.”
“When grinding is the main part of the game.”
“The game revolves around purchasing new upgrades, but while there's a chunk of flavor text for each, it rarely gives you a good enough idea of how it will work in-game and you end up grinding for an hour just to get back, repair, buy an upgrade and realize it's not what you really wanted.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd scenarios, such as causing massive repair costs through comical accidents and the amusing interactions with in-game systems. Players appreciate the lightheartedness of the game, from the funny noises made by ships to the humorous references to real-world events, creating an engaging and entertaining experience. The community aspect, particularly in Discord, also adds to the humor, with players sharing laughs and tips amidst the game's more cryptic elements.
“Funny funny speeding into a ringroid at 27,856 m/s and causing 635,567,832 e$ worth of repairs to your ship.”
“This is one of those games that suck you right in and makes you forget reality for a while. It's very immersive and deep but doesn't lack humor and lore as well. Even in content, this game offers a lot—I'm yet to experience combat after 35 hours of play because somehow I befriended the pirates and just sold their destroyed ships for profit, salvaged the most expensive ship in the game, and hit a rock with the reactor. I was broke again because it cost me around 1.5 million to repair just the reactor.”
“The game even includes diegetic representations of what happens in the real world, as seen by the $8 blue checkmark from the new blue bird app buyout, which was pretty funny.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its high replayability, with users noting it as "infinitely replayable" and a great option for achievement hunters. Many find it a worthwhile investment, highlighting its depth and the developer's active engagement with the community.
“Infinitely replayable.”
“Great time killer with lots of replayability.”
“Quite a deep and replayable indie, and the developer is always active in the forums to engage with the community.”
“Worth its price of 10 dollars and infinitely replayable.”
“Quite a deep and replayable indie, and the developer is always active in the forums to comment.”
“Replayable for achievements.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The game's stability has seen improvements with recent updates that addressed many user interface glitches, although some players still experience issues, particularly with NPC communications. Overall, the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, providing a generally stable experience despite some lingering bugs.
“The flight mechanics are very fun, and the game runs great without any configuration changes on installation on the Steam Deck.”
“The game maintains excellent stability, providing a smooth experience throughout.”
“I appreciate how stable the game is; it rarely crashes and performs consistently well.”
“The most aggravating thing about the game so far is that the comms are super buggy - anytime an NPC radios you, the message keeps appearing and disappearing.”
“I've tried to get started in game development, and spent 95% of the time troubleshooting, never getting so far as an inch.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is generally viewed positively, as players appreciate its focus on gameplay rather than aggressive cash grabs, contrasting it with other low-quality games. However, some users note the presence of ads, which can disrupt the experience, albeit to a lesser extent than in typical idle games.
“I may never find all the things to find in this game, but I'm going to keep coming back because I'm tired of the lame games out there that are just a cash grab and are using graphics I had when I was a kid.”
“Great game, but the playable time is less than an idle game with ads.”
“The game has excessive ads that disrupt the experience.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to games, often seeking experiences that resonate with their current feelings. While some games may feel overwhelming or unfulfilling, titles like "δv: Rings of Saturn" evoke intrigue and excitement, reigniting the joy of gaming.
“I don't have the energy for a session of game X, and game Y has not been as fulfilling lately. I'm too sensitive and emotional to play game Z today... hmm, what should I play... δv: Rings of Saturn!”
“It truly made me feel intrigued and excited to play a game again.”