Volcanoids

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,514 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Volcanoids Game Cover
Starting at €16.79Buy now
Get on Steam

Volcanoids is a base-building shooter with a unique steampunk drillship base and open-world survival elements. Alone or with up to 3 players, explore a constantly changing volcanic island, battle hostile robots, and craft, upgrade, and automate your drillship. Despite its pretty visuals, humor, and exceptional gameplay, it suffers from being poorly optimized and requiring lots of grinding. The game features a good story and provides a full co-op and single-player experience.

Play Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,514 reviews
gameplay201 positive mentions
grinding103 negative mentions
  • Unique concept of a mobile drillship that serves as a base, allowing for interesting gameplay mechanics.
  • Engaging combat and crafting systems that keep players involved and motivated to progress.
  • Regular updates from developers show commitment to improving the game and adding new content.
  • Performance issues, especially in late-game, with significant frame rate drops and lag.
  • The game can feel repetitive and lacks depth in content, leading to a short overall experience.
  • Confusing inventory and crafting systems that can overwhelm new players and detract from the gameplay experience.
  • gameplay558 mentions

    The gameplay of Volcanoids features a unique blend of mechanics centered around a mobile drillship, resource gathering, and crafting, which many players find engaging and innovative. However, the experience can become repetitive over time, with some users noting a lack of depth and variety in gameplay elements, leading to a sense of monotony after several hours. While the game shows promise with its core mechanics and potential for future updates, it currently suffers from optimization issues and a somewhat shallow gameplay loop that may not sustain long-term interest.

    • “This game does a great job of combining my favorite gameplay mechanics: building a mobile base, collecting resources, crafting, automating, tech tree, exploring, fighting - and it found a great balance of all of those elements.”
    • “The mechanics of the drillship are very well put together, and even animating everything in the drillship on descent and ascent is one aspect I absolutely loved.”
    • “The gameplay is very fun, easy to use and the UI is wonderfully laid out, the graphics are amazing on this game are amazing, the level of detail is one of the things that made it really enjoyable.”
    • “The gameplay loop gets repetitive quickly, although not boring right away.”
    • “The gameplay loop isn't fun; it just boils down to get x resource, go to y drillship, and move to the next stage, repeat.”
    • “The overall gameplay is solid, a few bugs here and there but nothing major.”
  • story523 mentions

    The story in the game is generally perceived as weak and underdeveloped, with many players noting its brevity and lack of depth. While some enjoy the basic premise and quest structure, others find the narrative to be minimal, often feeling like a series of tutorial-like tasks rather than a cohesive storyline. Overall, players express a desire for more substantial content, including side quests and a richer narrative experience, especially given the game's early access status.

    • “Volcanoids combines the best of FPS combat, vehicle/parts builders, survival, and adventure games, all with enough of a story to tie everything together in a nice, neat little bow.”
    • “The story is interesting, the gameplay mechanics have something for everyone, and in my humble opinion, it's extremely well paced.”
    • “The quest story line kept me hooked for 27 hours, so I think it was good value.”
    • “The story is also terrible; there's hardly any writing gone into the game at all.”
    • “Now, the story is not just barebones but completely non-existent.”
    • “The story is minimal.”
  • graphics268 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the steampunk aesthetic and overall visual design, while others criticize the low resolution and performance issues, including significant frame rate drops. Many reviewers note that while the art style has potential, it often feels outdated or poorly optimized, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, there is a consensus that improvements are needed, particularly in graphical fidelity and optimization, to enhance gameplay enjoyment.

    • “Graphics-wise, it is very pretty to look at; the designs of both the environment and objects are nice and appealing.”
    • “The graphics are awesome, and the gameplay is great too.”
    • “The graphics are surprisingly well polished for an early access title, but the enemy types could use some variation.”
    • “The graphics are woeful, the gameplay is something I'd expect from a PlayStation 2 title, it has the most dry objectives I've ever seen.”
    • “Graphics look terrible, just everything in general is terrible. 2/10 game, don't recommend (I refunded this game after 10 mins of playing).”
    • “The graphics and animation are stilted.”
  • grinding120 mentions

    The reviews indicate that "grinding" in the game is a mixed experience, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in resource collection and combat. While some appreciate the game's mechanics and progression, others criticize the lack of engaging content and the overwhelming grind required to advance, especially in the late game. Overall, the game shows potential but needs improvements to reduce the grind and enhance gameplay enjoyment.

    • “Resource collection isn't tedious.”
    • “It's worth it! I got about 15 hours of fun and will play it again. Not too grindy, but still has challenges.”
    • “Survival/crafting elements seem super forgiving and not grindy. Not sure if that changes late game, but at least early on it seems like you can accumulate your basic crafting resources pretty quickly.”
    • “The game also increases its 'difficulty' by just making the whole loop more tedious as you progress.”
    • “The entire design focus went into the drillships and a handful of tedious enemy types, to the detriment of the rest of the environment and gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is bland, grindy, and repetitive.”
  • optimization85 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates and stuttering, even on high-end hardware. While some updates have improved performance, the game is still considered poorly optimized overall, particularly in late-game scenarios and multiplayer modes. Players express hope for future optimization patches, as the game's potential is overshadowed by its current technical shortcomings.

    • “The optimization is great.”
    • “Updates have improved the game's performance and bugs, too.”
    • “For a game that is only a few hours old, I've had a blast these past few hours... it's very well optimized (I have a mid-range rig), the graphics for a game this young look awesome.”
    • “The game is horribly optimized and just overall feels like a product that will never be finished and never be the game it could have been.”
    • “Performance = for the quality my game ain't running that well.”
    • “Playing through the game was fun enough with friends, but sweet merciful Jesus if you value your sanity, wait with getting this game until some serious optimization work has been done, at least in multiplayer.”
  • stability75 mentions

    The game's stability has been a common point of contention among players, with many noting that it is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches typical of early access titles. While some users report minimal issues and a generally enjoyable experience, others highlight significant problems such as quest system bugs, hit detection errors, and performance drops. Overall, players express hope for improvements as the developers remain active and committed to addressing these stability concerns.

    • “The game is fairly stable and relatively bug free.”
    • “I've had no glitches or bugs and it's very stable (bar falling through the world once, but it popped me right back in the drill ship, so eh).”
    • “Sure it needs more content, but for now it's mostly bug free and I can't wait to play it with friends when co-op gets implemented.”
    • “It's very short and a lot of things feel buggy and unfinished.”
    • “The quest system is buggy and annoying; the quests themselves are kind of generic as well.”
    • “The game is too buggy to be playable right now.”
  • replayability37 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the fun gameplay and various difficulty levels that enhance replay value, while others find it lacking due to limited content and repetitive elements. Many reviews highlight the need for additional endgame content and more diverse gameplay options to sustain long-term interest. While some players appreciate the multiplayer aspect and the potential for future updates, others express disappointment in the current state of replayability, suggesting it may not justify the price for everyone.

    • “The game is far from finished, but has enough content and replayability to be worth the price!”
    • “Hours of good fun, and endless replayability, as well as constant updates.”
    • “The quests are varied and plentiful, and multiplayer adds replayability.”
    • “Horrific ending and utterly disappointing with little replay value in its present form.”
    • “I just felt there is very little you can do/build differently the second time, and so replayability isn't too great.”
    • “As of right now, the game has no replay value yet, and I personally find the base building a bit lightweight.”
  • music26 mentions

    The game's music is largely criticized for its absence during gameplay, with players noting that while the main menu track is enjoyable, the lack of in-game music creates a dull experience. Many users expressed a desire for ambient sounds or a more immersive soundtrack to enhance gameplay, suggesting that the current setup feels empty and unexciting. Overall, the music aspect is seen as a missed opportunity for greater engagement and enjoyment.

    • “The first experiences are really nice: I loved the animated background, the opening music, and the voice-based short story at the beginning (although perhaps that story could be a bit shortened actually).”
    • “Me and my friends have been having a blast playing the Doom Eternal soundtrack in the background when we went on these huge sieges against tier 4 drill ships!”
    • “Maybe some fitting music would have been nice.”
    • “There is a very cool track playing in the main menu, this style suits the game perfectly, but it's a shame that there is no music at all during gameplay.”
    • “The world was virtually void of atmospheric sounds/music and the sound effects for movement and actions were hard to listen to.”
    • “My other main gripes are that there is no in-game music other than in the main menu, which makes the experience feel even emptier than it is.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding joy in absurd scenarios like running over cogs, creating turret drone militias, and the comedic sounds of damaged drills. Many reviews highlight the hilarity of combat, particularly when blowing up robots and experiencing chaotic moments with friends. Overall, the game delivers a lighthearted and entertaining experience, often eliciting laughter through its quirky mechanics and interactions.

    • “Also, realizing you can make a militia of turret drones was an effective and hilarious realization; doing that made solo play easier.”
    • “The combat system is simplistic, but oddly satisfying, as you blow angry robots into chunks with a variety of weapons (the handheld mortar is hilarious) and loot their smouldering corpses.”
    • “Already have died laughing playing this game solo, and with one other friend.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging visuals and steampunk aesthetic, creating an immersive experience that enhances gameplay, especially in multiplayer settings. However, some players note a lack of atmospheric sounds and interactivity within the world, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game's unique setting and customizable environments contribute significantly to its appeal.

    • “Great crafting/survival game, a bit demanding on the hardware and the crafting system can be a bit confusing, if you're not following the quest line, but I really like the atmosphere and setting.”
    • “I love the atmosphere of this game and playing it with friends makes it 10x better.”
    • “Great atmosphere, and a nice mix of base building (the interior of your subterranean ship is completely customizable) and base assault and combat mechanics against the clock.”
    • “Nice visuals and atmosphere, though the world lacks interactable items a bit.”
    • “The volcano eruptions are actually pretty awesome to watch, there's a fallout period after and the atmosphere is really well done.”
    • “It's certainly playable as it is though and if you have any interest in a steampunk, survival/crafting game, the atmosphere really sells it.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players expressing frustration over mechanics that create a sense of urgency and annoyance, while others find moments of enjoyment and nostalgia. The game's design elements, such as the 2D map and resource management, evoke feelings of sadness and monotony for some, contrasting with the excitement of combat reminiscent of titles like Bioshock. Overall, the emotional impact varies significantly among players, with some feeling overwhelmed and others finding a spark of enjoyment.

    • “Made me feel something again”
    • “Travelling on a 2D map made me feel sad; I wanted to be detecting ores and routes with a radar or echolocation or something. It just didn't feel like a real element of the game, as a friend said it was like something from an Amiga game used as a placeholder for real travel.”
    • “Made me feel like Mr. Wilson on Snowpiercer.”
    • “If you enjoy monotonous games that are only slightly fun during combat, and you find the story and concept boring after playing, then this game might be for you. However, if you dislike grinding, I recommend not buying Volcanoids, as it has been a waste of my money.”
    • “The emotional depth of the game is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters or the story.”
    • “I expected a gripping narrative, but instead, I found the emotional elements to be flat and unengaging.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users labeling it a "blatant cash grab" due to limited gameplay time and issues with gameplay mechanics. While there are positive remarks about the game's potential and community engagement, concerns about the effectiveness of advertising and the overall value for money persist.

    • “One of the only games I've refunded; it's a blatant cash grab and has about 20 minutes of good playtime.”
    • “I'm attempting to write a review to counteract all the other advertising, so that people know what they are getting into.”
    • “The monetization feels exploitative and detracts from the overall experience.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Users feel that character development could be enhanced by allowing more customization options, as they prefer the ability to edit and personalize their characters.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to shape their characters' personalities and backstories in meaningful ways.”
    • “I love how the choices I make during the game impact my character's growth and relationships with others.”
    • “The ability to customize not just the appearance but also the skills and traits of my character makes the experience feel personal and engaging.”
    • “Character design needs to be updated because players want more options to customize their own characters.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression throughout the game.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, making it hard to connect with them.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Volcanoids

Play time

12hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
6-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 48 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News