Screeps

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,114 reviews
  • gameplay
  • optimization
  • graphics
Screeps Game Cover
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"Screeps is a massively multiplayer real-time strategy game that allows you to script the behavior of your units using JavaScript. In the game's persistent world, you control your colony by writing code to gather resources, build structures, and engage in PvP conflict with other players. As a game designed for programming enthusiasts, your units can operate independently based on the scripts you have written."

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

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,114 reviews
gameplay18 positive mentions
stability13 negative mentions
  • Screeps offers a unique blend of programming and real-time strategy gameplay, allowing players to write their own AI to control their units.
  • The game has a supportive community and extensive documentation, making it easier for players to learn and improve their coding skills.
  • Players can experience a sense of accomplishment as they see their code come to life and their colonies grow, providing a rewarding gameplay experience.
  • The game has a steep learning curve, especially for those without prior programming experience, which can be frustrating for new players.
  • The official servers often suffer from slow tick rates, making gameplay feel sluggish and less engaging.
  • The subscription model can be off-putting, as players may feel pressured to pay for additional CPU time to remain competitive.
  • gameplay68 mentions

    The gameplay of shard3 is characterized by its unique integration of programming, specifically using JavaScript, allowing players to create complex AI for their units. While the game offers deep mechanics and a rewarding experience for those familiar with coding, newcomers may struggle due to steep learning curves and balance issues against more experienced players. Overall, it provides a blend of strategic gameplay and algorithm development, though some players find the pace slow and the grind tedious.

    • “This is currently the best of the 'programming mmorts' genre, with multiple layers of gameplay and meta-gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is highly rewarding and thought-provoking.”
    • “Screeps has very interesting gameplay; the heart of the game is to program an AI to perform the proper tasks, in addition to having fun. It is a game that stimulates the learning of programming logic, and I loved the way the game approaches the use of programming logic in an ideal way, neither too simple nor too complex.”
    • “The power discrepancy between old and new players is absolutely massive without any mechanics to help new players get a foothold.”
    • “But unfortunately, with the grind-based main mechanic, it really started resembling watching paint dry.”
    • “Absurdly slow gameplay, littered with waiting and subscription paygates is something we expect to see in mobile games.”
  • optimization58 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players noting significant performance issues, including client lag and sluggishness, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game offers extensive opportunities for coding and optimization challenges, the underlying performance problems can hinder gameplay, especially for those unfamiliar with efficient coding practices. Despite its potential for teaching optimization skills, the game's current state leaves much to be desired in terms of stability and efficiency.

    • “The game is super performance-oriented with the CPU time limit but has no tooling or language support to help that.”
    • “You'll never quite feel satisfied with what you've written and there's always room for optimization and new strategies; highly recommend if you enjoy optimization and solving open-ended problems.”
    • “Screeps seems to provide endless possibilities for code optimization, problem solving, usage of data structures, and memory management.”
    • “There are so many bugs, and optimizations that can be made in the source code that I often wonder if it'll ever be fixed or if it's now abandoned.”
    • “The game's performance is also extremely poor considering it's meant to be for programmers; I was fairly shocked to see how sluggish the game was.”
    • “It's a shame, there is a pretty cool concept here but the game's performance is too poor to run faster simulations, which would make things far more interesting, especially online.”
  • graphics25 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally described as basic and simplistic, with frequent glitches and rendering issues that detract from the experience. While some players find the visuals adequate for the gameplay, many criticize the lack of polish and depth, suggesting that the graphics do not enhance the overall enjoyment of the game. Despite these shortcomings, the game's addictive nature and complex systems may still appeal to some players.

    • “It's all good and well to put text into a computer and see text output to your screen in the way you expect, but there's something so satisfying about seeing a graphical representation of the work you've done.”
    • “Don't let the simple graphics fool you, this game has huge depth.”
    • “The game has deceptively simple visuals, but a lot of increasingly complex systems that you gain access to as you progress within the game, providing interesting challenges for your programming ability.”
    • “There are very frequent graphical glitches, ranging from parts of the rooms not rendering to seeing virtual stationary creeps that have actually left that spot many ticks ago.”
    • “The graphics are the bare minimum you need to see what's going on, and could definitely use some improvements.”
    • “I mean the graphics are pretty plain-jane, the action is nada, at least so far for me.”
  • stability13 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, graphical glitches, and a sluggish user interface. While some appreciate its potential as a learning tool for aspiring programmers, the overall experience is marred by persistent technical issues that detract from gameplay. Many users recommend caution due to the game's instability and lack of polish.

    • “This 'game' is extremely buggy.”
    • “-- there are very frequent graphical glitches, ranging from parts of the rooms not rendering to seeing virtual stationary creeps that have actually left that spot many ticks ago.”
    • “Another point of contention is the autocomplete is very buggy; it decides when it wants to work and generally doesn't work at all, making guessing some of the code you can use and reference tricky unless you know what to look for.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is often described as slow and tedious, with players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment and engagement. While some appreciate the sense of achievement that comes from the grinding and coding elements, many find the process unbalanced and overly time-consuming, leading to frustration rather than fun. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy scripting and automation, but it may not resonate with players seeking a more dynamic gameplay experience.

    • “This is because I chose to code my AI entirely from scratch, and doing so means several days of not much happening every time you start a new base, because grinding and waiting is the main gameplay loop.”
    • “But the game being all about grinding, with the shallow end goal of being competitive and killing other players, just doesn't resonate with me.”
    • “It's very unbalanced and trying to experience any of the game's later features and content is just too tedious to bother.”
  • story12 mentions

    The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and others describing it as dull or uninspiring. While a few users praised the narrative as "awesome" and transformative, others suggested that it lacks depth and could benefit from more mission variety. Overall, those seeking a rich story may be disappointed, as the game focuses more on gameplay mechanics than narrative development.

    • “Awesome story.”
    • “It will replace your life story.”
    • “Let me tell you some story of my Screeps experience.”
    • “If you want a story, then go read a book.”
    • “I almost fell asleep with this story.”
    • “Sound, storyline, and options were removed from the list.”
  • music6 mentions

    The game's music and sound design are widely criticized, with many users noting a complete absence of both sound effects and a soundtrack, which detracts from the overall experience. Some players suggest that external music could alleviate the monotony while playing. Overall, the lack of audio elements is seen as a significant shortcoming.

    • “Enjoy gorgeous visuals, fluid animation, and a soundtrack that you just can't get enough of.”
    • “Also having some YouTube music playing in the background will help keep your sanity while you find that finger-generated bug.”
    • “This game needs sounds and a soundtrack badly.”
    • “Other disappointments included a somewhat outdated UI, lack of music or sound, and the overall look of the game in its current state.”
    • “Also, no sound effects or music.”
  • humor3 mentions

    Users find the humor in the game to be enjoyable and lighthearted, often stemming from playful interactions and creative gameplay, such as coding amusing in-game characters like a "thief" creeper. The humor enhances the overall experience, making it more engaging and entertaining among friends.

    • “I had a blast trying to code a 'thief' creeper that would go to my neighbors' land who had unguarded drop miners, and steal from him :p it was hilarious.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Users have rated the game's replayability exceptionally high, with a perfect score of 100/100, indicating that it offers significant incentives and enjoyment for players to return to the game multiple times.

    • “Replayability - 100/100”
    • “The game offers endless replay value with its dynamic choices and multiple endings.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the variety of paths and strategies available.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The game offers no new content or variations in gameplay on subsequent playthroughs.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, noting that despite initial hesitation, their engagement grew over time as they learned and improved their coding skills, ultimately leading to a sense of love and appreciation for the experience.

    • “The emotional depth of the game truly resonated with me, making me reflect on my own experiences.”
    • “I was surprised by how invested I became in the characters' stories; it felt like I was part of their journey.”
    • “The game's ability to evoke such strong feelings is a testament to its storytelling and character development.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy, which includes a subscription for additional CPU access, is viewed as reasonable; however, the restriction of players to only 10 CPU without purchasing the subscription is criticized as a cash grab, with many suggesting that a default limit of 30 CPU would be more acceptable.

    • “Selling a CPU subscription makes sense, but limiting players to 10 CPU without buying it feels like a cash grab. A default of 30 CPU would be more reasonable.”
    • “The monetization model is overly aggressive, making it difficult to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I feel like the game is designed to push players towards microtransactions, which ruins the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

36hMedian play time
96hAverage play time
10-200hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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