The Banished Vault
- July 25, 2023
- Lunar Division
- 1h median play time
The Banished Vault is an intricately designed strategy with plenty of layers, however, there's a truly satisfying gameplay loop at its core.
Get on Steam"The Banished Vault is a run-based strategy game focusing on solar system exploration, resource management, and outpost construction. Players must survive by managing their crew and resources while traveling through procedurally generated hostile solar systems. Realistic energy maps, a simplified rocket equation, and careful outpost construction are key to success in delaying the arrival of 'The Gloom'."
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game features stunning visuals and a unique gothic aesthetic that enhances the overall atmosphere.
- It offers a deep and challenging resource management experience that rewards careful planning and strategic thinking.
- The game is reminiscent of a solo board game, providing a unique and engaging puzzle-like gameplay that appeals to fans of complex strategy games.
- The user interface is cumbersome, requiring frequent reference to a lengthy manual, which can detract from the gameplay experience.
- The game can feel overly punishing, with a steep learning curve that may discourage players who are not accustomed to meticulous planning.
- Many players find the gameplay to be more of a math problem than a traditional game, leading to a lack of enjoyment for those seeking a more dynamic experience.
- graphics98 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and captivating aesthetic, combining slick visuals with a board game motif that enhances the overall atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the stunning artwork and sound design, which create an immersive experience, although some express disappointment in the lack of depth and engagement beyond the visuals. Overall, while the graphics are a standout feature, they are often seen as overshadowing the gameplay, which some find lacking in substance.
“The graphics are incredibly minimalistic while still communicating a lot of style and flair; the setting is interesting but makes no attempt to force you to engage with it.”
“The visuals are positively entrancing, and it has some of the most enthralling artwork I've seen in a video game.”
“Absolutely gorgeous art style with a very interesting board game motif.”
“After you've done looking at the graphics and ambient, it's all over from here.”
“It's a puzzle game with some pretty visuals but that's almost all it has going for it.”
“No story, no more graphics than the board.”
- gameplay68 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its stylish presentation and clever mechanics, heavily influenced by euro-style board games and logistics simulations. While the interface can be obtuse and the learning curve steep, players who engage with the game's intricate systems will find a rewarding experience filled with strategic depth and replayability. However, some reviewers noted that the gameplay may not justify its price, with concerns about limited exploration and a lack of engaging content.
“Smart game, very realistic, good mechanics that really do incentivize what makes sense for orbital mechanics.”
“The turn-to-turn gameplay has a solid balance of requiring you to plan, but with just enough hazards and hidden information to keep you from plotting in detail too much ahead.”
“Once you wrap your head around the mechanics, it's a really solid, fun, single-player board game with a ton of replay value.”
“Where is the gameplay?”
“No like: slow gameplay, very little exploration, just meh.”
“This game is a logistical puzzle, a very smart one, and I think its atmosphere has drawn many players who expected a different gameplay.”
- music45 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and melancholic qualities, enhancing the overall aesthetic and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight its ability to evoke a sense of dread and anticipation, complementing the game's visuals and gameplay mechanics. Many consider the soundtrack to be one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its unique vibe and emotional depth.
“Banished Vault features an interface that looks like sliding wooden pieces across a velvety black tabletop shining with uncounted stars, a melancholy soundtrack that sounds like it's echoing from the vaulted ceiling of an empty cathedral, and gameplay that demands you sit and think - for the void is cold and uncaring, and does not suffer fools to live.”
“All this, coupled with the outstandingly pleasing aesthetic and atmospheric soundtrack, makes for a very meditative game that applies just the right amount of pressure.”
“As a compliment to the stunning visuals, the music is also super atmospheric.”
“Although the aesthetics suggest a vastness to be discovered, the lore doesn't extend beyond the music and visuals.”
“This brutal challenge is complemented by a dark and oppressive tone, with the harsh black and white character art and dreary music setting the stage for this gothic sci-fi bundle of pain.”
“If I want this aesthetic, I've got over a century of science fiction to go back and re-read, and if I want music like this, I've got the Mechanicus soundtrack right here on my desk.”
- atmosphere34 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its compelling art style, haunting music, and immersive sound design, creating a moody and often chilling experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of desperation and loneliness, while also appreciating the meticulous visuals that enhance the overall ambiance. However, some players feel that the gameplay mechanics can detract from the immersive experience, limiting their engagement with the atmospheric elements.
“The board game aesthetics are extremely well-executed, and the brooding score and sound design create a very compelling atmosphere.”
“A gorgeous and meticulous puzzle game with an astounding sense of atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is desperate, chilling, and lonely.”
“It's still moody, of course, and the atmosphere has a sci-fi horror short story style to it.”
“This game is a logistical puzzle, a very smart one, and I think its atmosphere has drawn many players who expected a different gameplay.”
- story18 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized as minimalist and vague, relying heavily on emergent narrative shaped by player actions rather than a structured plot. While the atmosphere is praised for its moody sci-fi horror aesthetic, many reviewers feel that the lack of a substantial storyline represents a missed opportunity, leaving players intrigued yet wanting more depth. Overall, the storytelling serves more as a backdrop to the puzzle mechanics than as a central focus.
“It's still moody, of course, and the atmosphere has a sci-fi horror short story style to it.”
“The story is very vague, but enough to keep me intrigued so far.”
“Storytelling is incredibly minimal, and a lot of the narrative you get will be emergent and entirely the result of your own actions.”
“One big note - while the theming is very strong, there is also very little actual plot or story to speak of, which feels like a lost opportunity.”
“It's not a story game though; at its core, it's more of a puzzle, and don't be surprised if you are having to plan routes and note down actions and amounts while playing.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its solid replayability, offering a fun single-player experience with a wealth of mechanics and depth to explore. While some players feel it may not seem highly replayable at first, the campaign length and complexity provide ample opportunities for varied gameplay.
“It's a great game with really good replayability.”
“Once you wrap your head around the mechanics, it's a really solid, fun, single player board game with a ton of replay value.”
“Doesn't feel replayable, but the campaign length fits the amount of mechanics and depth to explore.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's optimization aspect, describing it as an engaging puzzle that revolves around resource management. The simplicity and randomized elements contribute to a satisfying experience, with many feeling that the game can be effectively mastered in just a few hours.
“The game is not hard; in fact, I love its optimization puzzle nature.”
“It's a very simple, presumably randomized resource management game that feels like it would be solvable in just a few hours of optimization.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be incredibly tedious, which is reflected in the low completion rate of just 1.5% for even a single run. This sentiment suggests that the repetitive nature of grinding may deter many from fully engaging with the game.
“I think a lot of players find this sort of game tedious, hence the only 1.5% that complete even a single run.”
“...incredibly tedious?”
“...incredibly tedious?”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for lacking engagement, with users expressing frustration over its complexity and strategic demands, which detract from the enjoyment and emotional connection typically sought in gaming experiences.
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever names and modifiers for characters, but it often feels at odds with the game's themes due to its impermanent nature. This dissonance can detract from the overall comedic effect.
“The game's impermanent nature actively fights against its own themes a lot of the time, even with various modifiers and qualifiers and all the funny names your characters get.”
