Slipways

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"Slipways is a single-player Science Fiction Turn Based Strategy game with a good plot, great gameplay, phenomenal graphics, and a spectacular soundtrack. Experience the space grand strategy genre without micromanagement or a steep learning curve, where you can finish a run quickly yet still have a deep and relaxing experience. Colonize planets, carefully manage industries, and make long-term plans to make trade profitable, all without military distractions, for a beautifully replayable game."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,680 reviews

gameplay99 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay that combines puzzle and strategy elements.
Short play sessions (about 1 hour) make it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
High replayability due to randomized maps, technologies, and council perks.

Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating runs where viable options are scarce.
Some players may find the learning curve steep, especially without a comprehensive tutorial.
The campaign mode is currently limited, with only a few missions available.

gameplay
322 mentions
31 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Slipways is characterized by its simple mechanics that lead to deep, strategic decision-making, making it both accessible and challenging. Players engage in a satisfying loop of connecting planets to create efficient trade routes, with a high degree of replayability due to procedural generation and various gameplay modifiers. While the game offers a compelling puzzle-like experience, some players find the lack of a comprehensive tutorial and the influence of RNG on gameplay frustrating, leading to a mix of enjoyment and challenges in mastering its systems.
- “The rules are simple but allow for deep gameplay and replayability.”
- “Slipways is simple, you'll likely have a grasp on all the main mechanics in the first ten minutes, but there is a surprising amount of depth to unearth and the longer you play the more you realize that planning multiple moves ahead is key to survival.”
- “The gameplay loop is tight and rewarding: your empire grows and mutates as you solve the puzzle of how to connect all the planets in a configuration that works.”
- “The gameplay seems simple and somewhat clunky at first, but take some time to get used to the systems and this little game is more addictive than cocaine-flavored Pringles!”
- “The campaign was particularly interesting once I started it, but by that time, I was already exhausted by the core mechanics' enslavement to RNG.”
- “Tldr: there's a fun game in there somewhere, but core game mechanics are currently broken due to bad game design decisions.”
replayability
140 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its procedural generation, randomized tech trees, and various game modes, including campaign and endless options. Players appreciate the depth and variety offered by different factions, perks, and initial conditions, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same. While some find the score-based mechanics less compelling, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to provide engaging and unique experiences across multiple sessions.
- “The game is tons of fun, has loads of replayability, and is well worth your money.”
- “It's almost infinitely replayable as it's procedurally generated and you can also add quirks to a standard run to change the mechanics.”
- “There's enough variety and randomness that no two games play the same, which adds a lot of replay value.”
- “The biggest drawback is that it's score-based, meaning most of the replay value is arcade-like, which I've never found very compelling.”
- “However, I cannot find a lot of replayability for myself after the first 6 hours or so.”
- “The options of replayability, the theme, the focus on doing a core gameplay loop well without baggage... but it just doesn't land.”
story
126 mentions
23 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story in Slipways is described as minimal and somewhat disjointed, with a campaign mode that introduces unique challenges but lacks depth and continuity. While the campaign missions are engaging and offer interesting gameplay twists, many players feel that the narrative elements are underdeveloped and do not significantly enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay mechanics over storytelling, leading to a mixed reception regarding its narrative content.
- “The campaign has a series of challenging scenarios and a light story that adds depth to the gameplay.”
- “Each mission has a unique twist and mechanic, making every map exciting and engaging.”
- “The campaign mode is a series of missions that each put some twist on the foundation of the quick-play game, with a narrative throughline that ties the missions together.”
- “There's no story, no lore, no real sense of purpose or progress, more like playing minesweeper.”
- “The campaign mode is (as of this writing) limited to three missions and totally unfinished.”
- “Unfortunately only 4 missions are available at the time of release and that's my only disappointment.”
graphics
82 mentions
61 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their appealing aesthetics, clarity, and suitability to the game's theme. Reviewers highlight the polished visuals, crisp user interface, and relaxing sound design, which collectively enhance the overall gaming experience. Many players appreciate the combination of beautiful artwork and intuitive gameplay, making it a visually satisfying and engaging puzzle game.
- “The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is intuitive, the little robot tutorial man is cute, and there's a whole plethora of game customization options.”
- “Not only are the graphics and artwork very well done, the UI is crisp and responsive as well.”
- “This game mixes a wonderfully simple idea with amazing graphics that are easy on the eyes and pleasant even after much time spent pondering them.”
- “Much like Battle Brothers, you should not be fooled by the phone game graphics.”
- “Visuals are pretty but nothing is getting in the way.”
- “I expected a 4X game given the visuals, though the description and other reviews indicated otherwise.”
music
82 mentions
59 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack is well-composed, fitting the game's theme and dynamically reacting to player progress, although some mentioned it can become repetitive over long play sessions. Overall, the combination of soothing music and appealing visuals contributes to a calming and immersive environment, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “What surprised me about this game was its amazing soundtrack which seems to react to the progress you make during a game.”
- “The music is perfect for a relaxing puzzle/strategy game.”
- “The soundtrack and sound effects are beautifully composed with an upbeat tone and lend themselves to a very immersive experience.”
- “Unfortunately, games like these require you to make use of your +33 hours playlist, because of the many hours of gameplay, it's very likely the soundtrack will get old fast.”
- “The music is soothing but forgettable, and there are alien noises, but no voices: just you and an expanding space, filled with planets to wrangle and connect.”
- “Only complaint is sometimes the music loops in on itself and starts to sound really discordant.”
optimization
40 mentions
48 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its engaging and complex puzzle mechanics that encourage strategic thinking and resource management. While some users experienced occasional frame stutters, the game generally runs smoothly and is well-optimized for both casual and intense gameplay sessions. The focus on optimization over traditional strategy elements, combined with a responsive UI, makes it a standout choice for fans of economic and logistical puzzles.
- “Excellent multivariate optimization simulator.”
- “Relaxing and fun resource optimization game with a lot of depth.”
- “Fantastic if you want a puzzle game that's simple on the surface with lots of potential for optimization.”
- “Optimization only starts once you've explored your surroundings, but the decisions you have to make in order to explore also involve cutting off large amounts of options and strategies.”
- “This game is certainly not optimized towards a systematic learning curve experience; instead, you find yourself standing before a mountain overgrown with a confusing jungle.”
- “Not enough linking and optimization for flow, so just not enjoyable.”
grinding
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
-13 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game, where it attempts to eliminate tedious micromanagement typical of 4x games but instead introduces new frustrations, such as the need to frequently restart due to poor planning and the challenge of navigating resource management. While some players appreciate the streamlined approach that reduces busywork, others find the gameplay can still feel grindy and repetitive, particularly when searching for specific resources or dealing with layout issues. Overall, the game offers a balance between satisfying strategic building and moments of tedium that can detract from the experience.
- “There are no small units to move around, no tedious production queues to manage.”
- “The grinding in this game feels rewarding and engaging, making each level-up a satisfying achievement.”
- “I appreciate how the grind is balanced; it never feels like a chore, but rather a journey of progression.”
- “This doesn't make the game difficult, just tediously boring.”
- “Yet it introduces an even larger number of tedious problems: rushing in will leave you in really bad shape really fast, therefore it is common that you have to reconsider a layout you planned multiple times, letting you start all over at zero.”
- “Sure, I can back up moves to a limited extent or play the whole map starting from scratch, but exploring the whole map and then going back to the start to pick the right combinations of perks and tech (if they were even available) is tedious busywork instead of a light, 60-minute strategy game.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
88 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Slipways is characterized by its relaxing and immersive qualities, enhanced by soothing music and polished visuals. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke the feel of larger space 4X titles without the associated stress, allowing for a calming yet engaging experience. The clever design and attention to detail contribute to a captivating environment that encourages prolonged play without overwhelming the player.
- “All of this while winding down and forgetting the hours you play in a soothing space exploration atmosphere with wonderful music and super polished visuals.”
- “The presentation with the art and UI makes the game easy to understand what is going on, and there are tons of cool small details that add to the atmosphere.”
- “It gives you all the vibes and atmosphere of bigger space 4X games without any real learning curve to reckon with, which is great for people like me who get anxiety sweats from 4X games and aren't always in the mood for a marathon session, but still want the immersion.”
stability
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptional stability, functioning flawlessly right from the start with no bugs or glitches reported. Users have experienced smooth mechanics and consistent performance, highlighting the developers' commendable effort in delivering a polished product amidst a landscape of often incomplete games.
- “Works 'straight out of the box' with no messing around and appears to be completely bug-free!”
- “All handles smoothly, sharply, and bug-free.”
- “Good mechanics, and I've had no glitches or performance loss in 3 hours.”
- “The developers deserve a heads-up here, especially in times of incomplete and buggy games.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever use of self-awareness, with players finding amusement in both the content and the absurdity of certain negative reviews. The tutorial's clear instructions, particularly regarding the undo feature, add to the comedic experience, as players can laugh at their own mistakes and the misunderstandings of others. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with gameplay, keeping players entertained.
- “I found that funny.”
- “However, I'm still laughing at the negative review that says there's no undo feature -- the undo button is very clearly mentioned in the tutorial, and I use it all the time.”
- “And it's never a mystery of why something failed or didn't work; it's all right there in front of you, laughing in your face.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers criticize the monetization strategy for lacking depth, as it primarily revolves around basic supply and demand management, which they feel misrepresents the game as a grand strategy experience.
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
- “The constant prompts to purchase in-game currency disrupt the gameplay experience and make it feel more like a cash grab.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a positive and wholesome portrayal of commerce, evoking feelings of warmth and optimism in players.