The Colonists

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 729 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Colonists Game Cover
Packed full of charming robots and thoughtful gameplay, The Colonists is a great city builder that controls great on console.
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"The Colonists" is a charming city-building game reminiscent of classics like Anno and The Settlers. Players assist cute robot settlers in constructing their ideal colony, with each bot having a specific job such as farming, fishing, and transportation. As the game progresses through three Ages, players improve colony infrastructure by building road, boat, and train transport systems, working towards automated harmony.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 729 reviews
story11 positive mentions
stability13 negative mentions
  • The game features charming graphics and adorable robots, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
  • The logistics and resource management systems are engaging, requiring players to plan and optimize their colony effectively.
  • The developer is active in updating the game and addressing bugs, showing commitment to improving the player experience.
  • The AI pathfinding can be frustrating, as robots often choose inefficient routes, leading to traffic jams and resource delivery issues.
  • The game lacks sufficient content, with only a limited number of campaign missions and no sandbox mode at launch.
  • There are several bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as resources not being delivered correctly or buildings becoming unresponsive.
  • story103 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that it feels repetitive and uninspired as they progress through the campaign. While the initial missions introduce concepts effectively, the narrative fails to evolve, leading to a sense of monotony and dissatisfaction by the later stages. Overall, the missions are seen as a means to an end rather than a compelling narrative experience, with players expressing a desire for more substantial storytelling and varied content.

    • “It is however nicely made regarding story, graphics, mechanics, and interface, and the game has just enough originality to be interesting while still benefitting from nostalgia.”
    • “I really enjoyed this game for the first 6 or so missions; after that, the game branches into a war branch and a peaceful branch. The war missions were quite enjoyable.”
    • “Each mission (ten in total) gives you a specific goal, and working towards that goal entails harvesting resources, using those resources to produce something new, and getting the technology to get more resources.”
    • “The story might fool you into thinking the bots escaped Earth to become human, but let's be honest, they have been exiled for being bugged.”
    • “Nothing you actually do in the game has any plot reason behind it.”
    • “First of all, the campaign pretty much has no story.”
  • gameplay102 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of simple mechanics that can lead to complex strategies, appealing graphics, and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic city builders like "The Settlers." While many players appreciate the engaging core loop and the unique mechanics, some find certain systems, such as the road and combat mechanics, frustrating and overly simplistic, leading to repetitive gameplay over time. Overall, the game offers a relaxing experience with a balance of challenge, though it may not satisfy those seeking deeper complexity.

    • “The mechanics are simple to understand but can take some thinking to master.”
    • “A nice, calm, worry-free game; if you want something to relax without much (or any) stress, this is the game for you; the mechanics are easy and simple and you can play in several modes depending on the challenge level you desire.”
    • “The gameplay is very much in the style of the settlers - perhaps even better.”
    • “It's a very cute looking game; sadly, the gameplay is not that cute and normalizes cruelty.”
    • “The mechanic makes no sense. A tug-of-war style border control where the last person to build a watchtower overtakes the other person's land and buildings is frustrating and unpleasant to manage.”
    • “There is a significant amount of waiting for resources to accumulate, especially if your network is inefficient, which it usually is due to the scripted resource locations; this results in dull, repetitive gameplay for about half of each scenario.”
  • graphics73 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and cute art style, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the well-crafted visuals, smooth animations, and the game's ability to run efficiently even on lower-end systems. While some note minor inconsistencies, the overall aesthetic is described as delightful and engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The graphics look great, there are lots of buildings and structures to choose from, custom maps, different biomes, modes, and everything feels well-made.”
    • “The appealing graphics and smoothness of gameplay make it rise above the rest.”
    • “The graphics are just amazing, and the little robot faces are so cute!”
    • “The graphics are stylized in their design, granting an efficient overview of what is happening, but it is missing details and charm, the fishtank effect known from games like Anno or The Settlers.”
    • “The buildings don't have any new mechanics, just a new graphic and another set of resources to pass around.”
    • “This game's entertainment value lasts 20 minutes, if that; it's just like Blueprint Tycoon but with better graphics, and just as boring too.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and charming qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many players find it calming and fitting for the game's aesthetic, contributing to a zen-like vibe during play. However, some users note that the soundtrack can become repetitive after extended playtime, leading them to prefer their own music.

    • “I loved the soundtrack; it goes really well with that 'chill and play' idea.”
    • “The music is soothing, and I hum it more than I'd like to admit.”
    • “The music fits perfectly with the game.”
    • “Look, if you want to play an ugly grid-based settlers 2 then godspeed but the music is godawful and you're going to be stacking buildings right next to and on top of each other because of how logistics work.”
    • “However, after the 10th hour of the same music you will be turning it off in favor of something you choose.”
    • “Maybe listen to a podcast or music and just relax.”
  • stability15 mentions

    The stability of the game is a significant concern among users, with many reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and issues with pathfinding and resource management. While some players have noted improvements and a smooth experience on certain platforms like Linux, the overall consensus is that the game requires further updates to address these stability issues before it can be recommended.

    • “It runs great on Linux.”
    • “All it needs is a solid, bug-free concept, and this game combines it in every way.”
    • “Unfortunately still buggy; harbours sometimes do not export.”
    • “Although it is playable, every single game will cause the player to have to work around glitches and poor design, and I can't recommend it until these issues are addressed.”
    • “Too buggy at the moment; avoid.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the potential for custom maps and competitive elements that enhance replay value, many feel that the limited number of missions and lack of a sandbox mode significantly restrict replayability. Despite some enjoyable puzzle-solving experiences, the consensus is that the game lacks sufficient content to sustain long-term engagement.

    • “Custom maps/user-created maps and random maps have also added a great deal of replayability to the game.”
    • “There is a mission-based single-player campaign full of replayability.”
    • “This leads to great replayability as you analyze how well your setup performed and come up with ways to improve layout and efficiency.”
    • “It was fun, but unpolished and had very limited replayability with only about 10 scenario missions.”
    • “Fun game, but too little content for there to be much replayability.”
    • “Buggy gameplay and limited replayability give the game away in addition to promises to add a sandbox mode.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is described as both extensive and tedious, requiring significant time investment that some players find overwhelming. While it can be relaxing and rewarding for those who enjoy management and experimentation, many reviewers note that it quickly becomes monotonous and frustrating, particularly with resource management and setup tasks.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “But, it gets very tedious, pretty quick.”
    • “And some areas feel tedious waiting for things to be finished (even at 4x speed).”
    • “Also, there is a lot of grinding and poor control over where the resources are being sent.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its cute visuals and the amusing antics of robots attempting to mimic human behavior, creating a blend of hilarity and charm. Players enjoy the comedic elements, such as the absurdity of malfunctioning robots and the quirky scenarios involving resource management, including robots hilariously requiring food and water. Overall, the game successfully combines fun mechanics with a lighthearted, humorous tone.

    • “The visuals are wonderfully cute, and watching them work tirelessly to 'be human' is both hilarious and endearing.”
    • “Haha, you get to see funny homeless robots while witnessing the fall of your town because you forgot that food was something that needed to be provided.”
    • “Bots require energy to perform their functions and produce it at their residences from food and water (and later booze, hilariously), which leads to fields of sheep and wheat tended by gleaming white robots fresh from the printer.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The game's optimization is a key aspect, particularly in competitive multiplayer and later tech tiers, where balancing production across various facilities can be challenging. Players appreciate the smooth performance even on lower-end systems, with no lag reported, and commend the graphics for maintaining quality without sacrificing user interface or performance. Overall, it offers a rewarding experience for those who enjoy optimizing colony management.

    • “However, as a professional game designer, I can tell there is still much space for optimization and creative ideas to be brought into the game.”
    • “Optimization in this game can be tricky, especially in later tech tiers as you're trying to balance production from a number of different facilities spread across the map.”
    • “However, as a professional game designer, I can tell there is still much room for optimization and creative ideas to be brought into the game.”
    • “Optimization in this game can be tricky, especially in later tech tiers, as you're trying to balance production from a number of different facilities spread across the map.”
    • “If you're looking for a colony management sim that's also an increasingly difficult optimization puzzle, then this is the game for you!”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as relaxing and immersive, enhanced by soothing music and minimalist graphics that create a calming environment for players. While the land-based elements are well-received, there is a desire for more atmospheric features in the sea exploration aspect, such as dynamic weather and engaging encounters. Overall, the game successfully fosters a tranquil setting that encourages extended play.

    • “I have really enjoyed kicking back and building for hours, zoning out with the music and the atmosphere.”
    • “The colonists is another nice take on production chains which provides a relaxing atmosphere and simplicity.”
    • “Would be nice if there was a bit more to the sea exploring; maybe there is later, though I haven't seen very much yet. I would like to see a bit more refinement in the boat movement, maybe some pirates and sea monsters, weather and currents, etc. Just a little atmosphere at sea, please :)”
    • “The somewhat minimalist graphics give an atmosphere without causing huge load and space requirements.”
    • “It's relaxing and works well with the atmosphere.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming narrative, where players guide charming little machines towards a robotic paradise, evoking feelings of joy and cuteness throughout the experience.

    • “You get to guide these little machines as they pave their way to robotic paradise, and yes, it's as wholesome as it sounds.”
    • “Fun, cute, and wholesome.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

35hMedian play time
41hAverage play time
12-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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