SpaceChem

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SpaceChem is a design-based puzzle game that challenges you to build machines for chemical production. As a Reactor Engineer, construct intricate factories to transform raw materials into valuable products while battling sinister threats lurking in SpaceChem. Streamline your designs to meet production quotas and ensure your survival in this addictive, scientific experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,322 reviews

story94 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

Challenging and rewarding puzzles that require creative problem-solving.
Open-ended gameplay allows for multiple solutions, encouraging players to optimize their designs.
Engaging story and unique mechanics that keep players invested.

Steep learning curve with minimal guidance, making it difficult for new players to grasp mechanics.
Some puzzles can feel tedious and time-consuming, leading to frustration.
Graphics and UI may feel outdated and clunky, detracting from the overall experience.

story
287 mentions
33 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story in this puzzle game is presented through text passages between levels, providing a backdrop that some players find intriguing, albeit minimalistic and sometimes disconnected from the gameplay. While the narrative includes elements of sci-fi and cosmic horror, many reviewers note that it serves more as a secondary feature rather than a central focus, with the puzzles taking precedence. Overall, the story is appreciated for adding flavor and context, but players can easily engage with the game without fully immersing themselves in the narrative.
- “The story is intriguing and is interesting and is displayed through text only.”
- “The story, delivered solely through written narratives every few levels, gives one a sense of two things: one, that something's not quite right in Vossler Industries; and two, that there are big things going on to prevent knowledge of the prior.”
- “Spacechem offers dozens of puzzles in a story-driven campaign, where you need to design and optimize atomic assembly lines.”
- “The story also makes no sense as no one seems worried about all the giant monsters that keep attacking them.”
- “The only negative I can give is that the story pane seems very corny and contrived and really unnecessary to the game but you can really just ignore that wall of text as it has no bearing on the puzzles or their solution.”
- “The story is hard to digest, because it is only available in text form and progresses very slowly as you take more and more time to solve the increasingly difficult puzzles.”
gameplay
222 mentions
28 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Spacechem is characterized by its unique blend of puzzle-solving mechanics that involve programming and engineering concepts, allowing players to construct and optimize chemical reactors. While the core mechanics are simple to grasp, the game quickly escalates in difficulty, often requiring trial and error to master new features, which can be frustrating due to insufficient explanations in the tutorials. Despite these challenges, many players find the gameplay rewarding and intellectually stimulating, with a high replay value stemming from the variety of solutions available for each puzzle.
- “With its blend of chemistry, engineering, and programming, it provides a unique and engaging gameplay premise.”
- “The basic mechanics are extremely simple, yet they quickly allow for extremely complex behavior when used correctly.”
- “The gameplay is simple, yet the puzzles are deep.”
- “A high level of difficulty, poorly explained mechanics, reactors that suddenly stop working after hundreds of turns making it impossible to determine the cause of the problem, and achievements being given for random actions in random levels mean that most people have no reason to play this game.”
- “After a few levels, this game just seemed like a waste of time, because the tutorial does such a horrible job at introducing you to the rules and mechanics of the game.”
- “My only concern was that some of the directions were not clear enough when introducing new items, requiring a lot of time to be spent understanding the game mechanics.”
music
166 mentions
60 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising its quality and ability to enhance the gaming experience, while others find it repetitive or overly dramatic for the gameplay. Some users appreciate the ambient and atmospheric qualities of the soundtrack, noting that it complements the puzzle-solving elements well, though a few opted to mute it after extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as enjoyable and fitting, contributing positively to the game's aesthetic, despite some concerns about its repetitiveness over long periods.
- “The music is charming and a joy to listen to, with some great ambiance and background noise to get the mind working.”
- “The music is original, fitting, and I would even say motivational, yet another high-quality element of the whole impressive piece.”
- “The soundtrack is both familiar and entirely new.”
- “The music is incredibly annoying, but the challenges are great, recommended for non-chemistry lovers as well!”
- “The music is... I honestly have no clue, there's too little of it for how long the game runs on and I had to turn it off and put on my own music after a while.”
- “The soundtrack admittedly is just 3 songs and although they don't stand out, that is for the most part a plus as your full attention should be on the puzzle at hand and not on some blaring soundtrack that has no ability to fit with the game like many flash games.”
graphics
102 mentions
30 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic and dated, often resembling those of early flash games, yet they effectively serve the gameplay by maintaining clarity and focus on problem-solving. While some players appreciate the minimalist aesthetic and find it suitable for the puzzle mechanics, others criticize the lack of visual polish and the clunky interface. Overall, the visuals are functional and do not detract from the engaging gameplay, though they may not appeal to those seeking high-quality graphics.
- “The game's minimalist visuals and ambient soundtrack enhance the focus on problem-solving and strategy.”
- “The graphics are appealing for this kind of game.”
- “The visuals are very simple, which is good as it makes it easy to see what exactly you're doing.”
- “The graphics are very basic, but that doesn't take away from the complexity of the puzzles.”
- “It seems like a great game, but I'm unable to play it due to its graphical/lack of display settings, and just scrolling through the forums and discussions it seems like I'm not the only one with the problem.”
- “The graphics do not interfere with the game at all.”
optimization
50 mentions
16 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its challenging puzzles that encourage deep problem-solving and creative solutions. While the game offers a rewarding experience for those who enjoy optimization, it can also lead to frustration due to its complexity and the steep learning curve, particularly in later levels. Overall, it is considered a well-optimized game that provides ample opportunities for players to refine their strategies and compete against others.
- “Great optimization game.”
- “Excellent puzzle and optimization game.”
- “The bulk of the replay value for this game comes from the researchnet puzzles; which are way harder than the campaign puzzles and may require some unconventional techniques to solve, and secondly from optimization of previously completed puzzles for time, number of symbols or reactors used.”
- “The tutorials are pretty horrible at explaining a few optimization tricks that are required to get the best possible solution.”
- “Spacechem is a great game if you're not serious about it, but if you like mathematics and optimization, you will get frustrated really fast.”
- “As fair warning, though, even without working toward optimization, the game becomes quite challenging in the later parts.”
replayability
43 mentions
51 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game offers exceptional replayability due to its vast array of user-generated levels, varied solutions for each puzzle, and the ability to optimize previous designs for efficiency. Players can continually challenge themselves by improving their scores and exploring unconventional techniques, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy puzzle-solving. While the replay value is significant, some users noted that it may diminish once they master the game.
- “The bulk of the replay value for this game comes from the researchnet puzzles, which are way harder than the campaign puzzles and may require some unconventional techniques to solve, and secondly from optimization of previously completed puzzles for time, number of symbols, or reactors used.”
- “Because there's no fixed solution to any problem, the replay value is huge.”
- “You build molecule factories in an almost-sandbox environment, with gradually ramping up complexity - all the puzzles have many solutions, and there's great replay value in optimizing your designs.”
- “There is access to user-created content, but the replay value is somewhat limited once you master the game.”
- “One issue with that replayability is that there isn't an obvious way to back up your previous solutions, which made me reluctant to wipe the slate clean on my nicer solutions.”
- “Hard to find something bad to say about this game apart from it not having much replayability apart from making your designs more efficient.”
grinding
18 mentions
11 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
78 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and overly complex, with many players finding the puzzles to be more boring than rewarding. While some appreciate the challenge, the consensus leans towards the experience being mentally exhausting and lacking in entertainment value, making it difficult for many to enjoy.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Lots of grinding.”
- “This 'game' requires you to perform tedious, relatively boring work, with no rewards in terms of entertainment value.”
- “The concept is interesting, but at bottom it is a tedious and unrewarding puzzle game.”
- “Spacechem is incredibly tedious and it will cause you mental anguish to the point where you might have a nervous breakdown.”
humor
17 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a quirky and often darkly comedic storyline that, while not central to the gameplay, adds a layer of enjoyment during breaks between levels. Players appreciate the humorous disconnect between the narrative and the puzzle-solving experience, with many finding the boss battles and the game's overall absurdity to be particularly entertaining. Overall, the humor enhances the replay value and provides a lighthearted contrast to the game's challenging puzzles.
- “Nonetheless, it's those failures that lead to hilariously contrived successes and many more beloved hours of gameplay.”
- “The endless possibilities of completing a level add replay value, and the storyline is comical and funny.”
- “A genuinely brilliant puzzle game, with a darkly funny plot, the occasional completely insane 'boss' puzzle, and a slick interface.”
emotional
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a profound emotional connection to the game, describing it as both frustrating and rewarding, often leading to feelings of triumph and inadequacy simultaneously. Many reviewers highlight the satisfaction of solving complex puzzles, which fosters a sense of intelligence and accomplishment, while also acknowledging moments of emotional turmoil and self-doubt. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, making it a unique and memorable experience.
- “10/10 will induce emotional trauma”
- “I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy many other games, but there is none I have formed quite such an intimate emotional connection to.”
- “Never before has a game made me feel equally brilliant and stupid at the same time, I love it.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
88 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the effective integration of music and storytelling that enhances the overall experience. The sci-fi background and sleek interface contribute to a captivating ambiance, making it both entertaining and immersive. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as original, engaging, and integral to its appeal.
- “Spacechem is in equal parts entertaining, educational, and atmospheric.”
- “A truly original concept for this hard mind bender with good realization and atmosphere (music, sci-fi background).”
- “Featuring a slick interface that looks like Star Trek consoles, controls tailored to FPS gamers, leaderboards done right, atmospheric music that you'll keep humming all day, ever-increasing complexity, and of course challenging and satisfying mechanics, this is one of the better puzzle games out there.”
- “There's also a little story dropped in as you go on to add some flavor and atmosphere to the puzzling.”
stability
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-programmed and runs smoothly on PC, with no significant glitches reported. However, the Mac port suffers from stability issues, including bugs that can prevent it from starting. Some users have noted that while the game features great puzzles, certain glitches have been adjusted, making them less exploitable.
- “The game was very well programmed, has no glitches, works smoothly, and seems to be very well optimized.”
- “Great puzzles and fun to optimize (though a bit maddening if you try to understand all the bugs and glitches).”
- “I'm guessing that there have been some tweaks to the way some reactions behave, so folks can't always use those glitches to their advantage anymore.”
- “Probably a great game for PC, but the Mac port can be buggy to the point of not starting up.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy primarily revolves around in-game purchases, which players feel can enhance gameplay but may also create a pay-to-win environment. While some users appreciate the optional nature of these purchases, others express concern about the balance between free and paid content. Overall, opinions are mixed regarding the impact of monetization on the overall gaming experience.
- “The in-game purchases feel exploitative, as they are necessary to progress at a reasonable pace.”
- “I can't enjoy the game without being constantly bombarded by ads and prompts to spend money.”
- “The monetization model is frustratingly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without shelling out extra cash.”