Above Earth

Good Idea but needs a lot of work still. speeds at which all consumables are used are unrealistic (used up waaay too fast. You are forced to go through the beginning sequence Every single time you die (which is always) . save screen sometimes gives no option to save(blank) , other times it allows you to save but if you die all saves disappear. And you are again subjected to the start screen over and over and over. Give it a year, see if the Mechanics are adjusted.

Having completed a play-through and returned to earth, I think I'm in a good position to reflect on the game now. For what it is, and what is currently accessible - Above earth is a wonderful subnautica-style survival game with an apocalyptic twist mixed in with a little bit of The Martian. Is it worth the price its currently at? Eh, if you're willing to stick with it, yes. First of all - let me address one of the biggest issues with the game: The first hours are ROUGH, with your initial station segment heavily damaged and repair resources exceptionally scarce. Several of my first characters died as I either wasted resources and I ended up having to cheat to get this first segment repaired before I really got stuck into the game. Honestly, I'd personally recommend having a 'repaired initial module' as a difficulty option that's on by default in the lower difficulty. Secondly - This early access version is (predictably) incredibly rough around the edges: The interface is all a single font, some interactions are awkward (Why can't I turn on module power from the terminal?), some mechanics are poorly explained (Looking at you, station overview menu) and the rate of consumption for resources are, in my opinion, far too high. That being said, There is certainly a strangely rewarding feeling when you successfully make progress, like getting your first solar panel repaired. Locating what item in space gives what resources is a big hurdle for early gameplay, and can easily result in your death as you waste resources inefficiently salvaging the debris field surrounding your station. As rule of thumb - Go for containers and loose tanks first, and NEVER salvage without a tool. Now for a short series of quick fire reflections - Why would you ever build a sleeping harness when you've got a relatively intact sleeping pod in your starting cabin? Why do flashlights use space-AA batteries while everything else uses rechargeable interchangeable tool batteries? Why can I make several types of weapon before discovering [spoiler] the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ taser-toaster drones that lurk in the deeper sections of the station [/spoiler] ? However - Once you've gotten a more solid footing, the game becomes a remarkably competent time management sim; Little things such as brewing a coffee became part of my routine as I drifted through the station performing my daily tasks before venturing out to spend my days water on salvaging new materials. It's a strangely rewarding experience at that point. In conclusion, I am looking forward to what else this game has to offer in the time to come, and I'm happy with what I've played for so far. Just lighten up that first hour or two...

Too early. Too little. Too laggy.

Needs a lot of work still, resources deplete way too fast even on game setting medium as no low level is available and i am sure it would be the same. dev needs to put a tips on how to survive somewhere also to help people starting out. there are only so many times you want to die and watch the starting screen before you say F it and uninstall the game. Great idea for a game but I'm Not Recommending it. Newly added, The Dev has killed this game before it begun due to a lack of knowing how to listen to the community that used to play the game. Unless this dev sells the game to a decent developer i can't see this game moving forward. I hope the current Dev proves me wrong but i won't hold my breath.

I would take a look at the community discussion forum before buying the game. Overall I wouldn't buy it in its current state and I do not have a lot of hope that it will improve.

Obviously it has some things to workout but this is not a bad game. It's pretty chill game to kill some time and sink some hours into repairing a space station using scavenged mats. Gotta have some patience to play this game as the EAV is super slow. Survival elements are good as well.

Very difficult start even on the lowest settings.

Can I make that a ♥♥♥♥ NO! on the recommendation? Yeah, uhh.... Sorry. But screw this game. Seriously. I wanted to like. I REALLY did. Jesus f'ing christ. It's ridiculous. No tutoiral. BARELY any information from the UI. Trying to balance temperature, oxygen, fuel, eating 2+ times per day, drinking 2+ times per day, 8+ hours of sleep per day AND procedural generation so the location of materials is different every time? ♥♥♥♥ this! It's ridiculous. This game is simply not fun. It has loads of possibilities, but it's just too punishing. Tell ya what, Steve... If you actually wanted to make some money with this game, post a temp job listing for a gameplay designer on GrackleHQ and then take their balance / QoL recommendations as GOSPEL. This game could be incredibly popular if you actually put some work into what matters to players. Don't spend months / years redoing the art style. A/B test game balance and complete a damn tutorial!