Signals
- July 9, 2021
- MKDBStudio
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Get on itch.io StoreSignals is a casual planet hopper strategy game where players explore systems, harvest resources, and repair alien devices. To fund their expedition and uncover the source of mysterious signals, players must build a network of outposts across planets, managing harvesters and resources to maintain a positive cash flow. Successful management and strategic market work is crucial to expand through the sector of space and uncover the unknown.
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Reviews
- The game features a pleasing aesthetic with relaxing music, making it a chill experience for players.
- Gameplay is simple and easy to learn, allowing for quick engagement and enjoyment, especially for casual gamers.
- The core mechanics of resource gathering and management are engaging, providing a sense of progression despite the game's simplicity.
- The campaign is extremely short, often completed in under three hours, leaving players wanting more content.
- There is a significant lack of guidance and tutorials, making it difficult for new players to understand game mechanics and objectives.
- Many players have reported bugs and UI issues that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- gameplay15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Signals is characterized by a simple and repetitive mining mechanic across small, easily navigable planets, which some players find enjoyable for its chill aesthetic and quick pace. However, many reviewers note a lack of depth and variety, with insufficient guidance on mechanics leading to confusion, and a campaign that can be completed in just a few hours. While the game offers a relaxing experience, it is marred by numerous small issues that detract from the overall enjoyment.
“What it lacks in depth, it makes up for with a clean aesthetic, quick-to-learn mechanics, and a solid sense of progression.”
“The core gameplay consists of mining resources on each planet you travel to; the map for each planet is rather small and easy to visualize at a glance.”
“The simplistic gameplay and chill sound design/music makes the game really easy to get lost in.”
“There are just things and mechanics that exist in the game without being explained, and it doesn't make a lot of sense nor make for gameplay I found enjoyable.”
“I understand that this is a 'chill' game allowing you margins of error and avoiding stress like combat and other complexities, but I finished the campaign gameplay in 2.5 hours and then there is just sandbox mode left.”
“What needs addressing is the huge lack of guidance when first playing the game if you are going into it without having watched the gameplay video on the store page - this is what a general audience is going to do and is why I did it.”
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story revolves around repairing signaling devices to communicate with an alien species, requiring players to explore various planets and gather resources. While the campaign provides some backstory and helps players understand the game's economy, many reviewers found the narrative lacking depth and engagement, leading to a sense of monotony after completing a few missions. The overall mission structure and resource management felt uninspired, diminishing the motivation to progress further in the game.
“Your mission is to repair signaling devices to communicate with an alien species.”
“Thus, you explore and hop from system to system and planet to planet, finding resources to extract to complete your mission.”
“Half of the resources look the same on the map or with slight recolors, and feel like random mcguffins required for the plot rather than purposeful and different; the need to put the trade post first isn't intuitive (maybe the first planet should start with one?) and the sense of base building or progression from extraction to research isn't there; and research buildings don't indicate the need for adjacency or build limits.”
“It got pretty stale after about an hour, having completed four of the six 'campaign' missions, and I just wasn't compelled enough to see the last couple of missions through.”
“Campaign helped to learn how the economy works and gave some backstory to the 'signals'.”
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently described as pleasant, chilled, and engaging, enhancing the overall relaxing experience of gameplay. While the soundtrack may be limited, it effectively sets the mood and contributes to the game's appeal, making it easy for players to lose track of time. Overall, the music complements the simple yet attractive graphics and intuitive navigation, creating a satisfying atmosphere for players.
“The simplistic gameplay and chill sound design/music makes the game really easy to get lost in.”
“Relaxed gameplay, good graphics, intuitive navigation, the music is extremely chilled and makes playing a pleasure.”
“The music really sets the mood of the game and the next thing you know, you've lost track of time and it's time for bed.”
“Though with a disappointing lack of any fanfare, merely being kicked back to the main menu (dev note: a fanfare leading to a screen with upbeat music showing your overtime progress as graphs would do a lot to make you feel more accomplished about doing well.)”
- graphics8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their pleasing aesthetic and stunning visuals, complemented by a relaxing soundtrack. Players appreciate the attractive designs and intuitive navigation, noting that each planet features unique terrains and resources, enhancing the overall experience. While some mention a lack of gameplay depth, the clean visuals and engaging mechanics contribute positively to the game's appeal.
“Signals is a very well designed game with the visuals and sound design being stunning to look at and hear.”
“A pleasing aesthetic with chill tunes, but felt pretty lacking in gameplay and variety.”
“What it lacks in depth, it makes up for with a clean aesthetic, quick-to-learn mechanics, and a solid sense of progression.”
“I love the graphics and how each planet has a different terrain and resources to harvest; it's easy to navigate and I've enjoyed figuring out how to place buildings, harvest resources, and travel to different planets.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that while the game shows promise, its replayability could be enhanced with bug fixes and additional content.
“The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more; every playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
“With multiple paths and endings, this game offers endless replayability, making each session a unique experience.”
“I'm glad to support these new developers in their first game, and I think a few bug fixes and some basic additions would significantly enhance the replay value.”
“After completing the game once, I found little incentive to play it again; the lack of varied outcomes really diminishes replayability.”
“The game feels linear and predictable, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players anticipate engaging in significant grinding to progress in the game, indicating that it may require considerable time and effort to complete runs.
“I haven't completed a run yet as it's late, but I'm sure I'll be grinding this out.”
