Uncrewed
- March 26, 2020
- Quite Different Mechanics
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Uncrewed" is a Sci-Fi Strategy game for PC, offering a range of play modes for 2 players, including co-op, multi-player, and PvP. The game stands out with its real-time strategy and unit design features, where physics-based mechanics significantly impact gameplay. In a world of sentient machines, players compete to find a powerful creator's code, designing and customizing their own land, water, and air units with various propulsion methods, weapons, and decals.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The unit design system is highly customizable, allowing players to create unique and complex vehicles with various mobility options.
- The game offers a fun and engaging sandbox mode where players can experiment with their designs without the pressure of combat.
- The developer is responsive and has shown commitment to improving the game through updates, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game suffers from poor optimization and performance issues, leading to low frame rates and input lag even on capable hardware.
- The AI is often unbalanced, making it difficult for players to compete, as it can overwhelm them with superior units before they have a chance to build up.
- The lack of clear tutorials and documentation makes it challenging for new players to understand the mechanics and controls, leading to frustration.
- gameplay54 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this RTS is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the custom unit design and physics-based mechanics, while others criticize the clunky building process and lack of depth in gameplay options. Recent updates have made multiplayer and AI skirmishes more accessible, but many feel the core mechanics are basic and repetitive, leading to a sense of stagnation. Overall, while the game shows potential and stability, it struggles to stand out in a crowded genre.
“Amazing design and gameplay systems; scratches an itch.”
“Gameplay is where this game shines: you custom design units.”
“And it perfectly utilizes physics so you can test your newly created mechanical masterpiece in real (almost) conditions.”
“My problem with Uncrewed is that it's just...not good. It feels like a game that I'd expect in early access. Don't let the 'build your own robot' mechanic fool you; it is really bad. At least in other games, you might get cubes or something bigger to work with, but here, you've got parts that are really small and barely fit together. If they do, it'll probably be a big, clunky, slow mess. You can try and make a small and fast unit, but it'll die within seconds to anything the game throws at the next level.”
“Not only that, but the building mechanic is very clunky and slow. I'd really advise you watch a video on it to see what I mean about it being clunky.”
“The gameplay is very basic, with no armor system, no weak spots on parts, and only two types of blocks (normal and light).”
- graphics28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received largely negative feedback, with many users describing them as outdated, unimpressive, and lacking vibrancy. While some appreciate the art style and the potential for customization through module manipulation, the overall consensus is that the visuals are subpar and detract from the experience. Despite these criticisms, a few players believe that the game has potential for improvement in future updates.
“Very strong physical and graphics effects!”
“For the niche demographic of patient builders, this is fairly easy to recommend, mostly because of the level of polish.”
“Updates with colorization and decal placement options with certain hull modules have seen a remarkable increase in aesthetic options.”
“This game is finnnggg garbage, creating a unit is garbage, graphics are garbage.”
“3/10, unimpressive and unremarkable graphics overall.”
“I knew the graphics weren't that good from the store page; I thought the gameplay would balance this out.”
- story22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally perceived as lacking depth, with many reviewers noting a "paper thin" narrative and a lifeless campaign experience. While the game features a complete single-player story campaign, it often feels overshadowed by gameplay mechanics, such as unit preparation and resource management, which can detract from the overall narrative engagement. Despite these criticisms, some players find enjoyment in the tactical challenges and progression system, suggesting that the campaign can still be a rewarding experience if approached strategically.
“Uncrewed even has a complete single-player story campaign, which is quite uncommon nowadays even for larger budgeted games.”
“In general, by now the game has seen expansion in propulsion, weapon and hull modules; expanded base building gives campaign missions new tactical options and has made the second playthrough quite a bit more fun.”
“All in all, in its current state, completing the campaign was a mostly enjoyable experience (there were a few difficulty jumps), half the missions will require unit preparation and testing in the sandbox in advance, but that is part of the design challenge, and the excitement for the next tech/module unlock or upgrade is quite motivating.”
“It's sort of fun, but it feels really lifeless; there's no story.”
“The AI is one-dimensional, and the story is paper thin.”
“I got stalled out three missions in, and the enemy seems to be able to build infinite units.”
- optimization14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as low frame rates, stuttering, and input lag, even on high-end PCs. Conversely, others report a polished experience with smooth performance and high framerates. Overall, many feel the game was released prematurely and requires further optimization.
“It's polished and runs smoothly.”
“With applied physics governing their movement performance.”
“It's pretty poorly optimized, and even on low settings, my computer (which, admittedly isn't amazing), still only pulls through about 40-50 fps.”
“The game should not have left early access when it did as it's very much incomplete and not optimized.”
“The game suffers from frequent stuttering and hitches that seem unrelated to fps and terrible input lag even on minimum settings on a high-end PC, so I have refunded it.”
- music8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely criticized as lacking substance, with many users describing it as little more than unmusical sound effects rather than a proper soundtrack. Overall, the game's claim of having music is seen as misleading, as it fails to deliver a cohesive or enjoyable auditory experience.
“It claims to have music, but what they call 'music' is really little more than a few glorified sound effects that aren't even all that musical.”
“No soundtrack”
“It claims to have music, but what they call 'music' is really little more than a few glorified sound effects that aren't even all that musical.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, often feeling janky and frustrating due to the need to redo unit designs when mistakes occur. The focus on farming experience and leveling up units rather than skillful play can detract from the overall enjoyment of the core campaign.
“Just tedious, janky, and unfun in practice.”
“The core campaign gameplay seems all done, though unit design could use a little more streamlining and speeding up, as there are instances where chunks of your unit will need to be redone, such as when a previously placed module blocks the factory's assembly arms. In those instances, the process feels quite tedious.”
“If you lose the opening mission, don't worry. It seems to me that this game is more about farming the experience (or 'data') and leveling up your units and perfecting them rather than getting lucky the first time you play.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players report that the game has improved in stability since its release, feeling more polished and less buggy. While pathfinding and unit mobility are generally functional and impressive, some users note that the steering and turning mechanics require further refinement, and the current workflow for testing modifications can be cumbersome.
“Pathfinding and unit mobility is functional and impressive, considering the freeform positioning of propulsion components. However, turning could use more work with wheels, and troubleshooting the steering is very slow with the current workflow (enter blueprint -> modify configuration -> wait the entire unit build time -> test configuration).”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by quirky elements, such as the amusing concept of artillery submarines, which adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience.
“A funny thing, too, is artillery subs.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users consistently highlight the game's "fantastic replayability," indicating that it offers engaging content and experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.
“Fantastic replayability.”
“Fantastic replayability.”
