Info about Elsewhere:

Official game description:
_Elsewhere_ is a sandbox crafting game that combines survival, exploration, quests, and magic with deep progression. Start with basic tools and gradually unlock new technology and/or magic systems as you explore the world and complete objectives. Build your base, try different playstyles, automate everything, and discover how far you can push your progression—from simple survival to hi-tech systems and powerful alchemy, with plenty of room for experimentation and long-term play.
The game is inspired by old-school _Minecraft_ modpacks and features many new and unique features such as character creation, building templates, monster-filled castles, and many more.
Hi everyone! My name is Sergio, and Elsewhere is a game I’ve been developing since 2012. Since late 2018, I’ve been working on it nearly full-time. All code for the game is done by me, while the art assets are either done by me or by my more talented artist friends.
In _Elsewhere_, players can explore the world, fight monsters, and collect loot, or gather and process resources while gradually advancing from simple tools and medieval technology all the way to fusion power and particle accelerators. 
The game also features magic, alchemy, ancient ruins and temples, and vast procedurally generated castles and dungeons filled with bosses to discover and conquer.
Players are guided by a quest system, though it doesn’t need to be followed linearly - or even at all. Building a fully automated Jaffa Factory, for example (or more precisely, a Chocolate Cookie Factory), can be a real challenge, with countless elements to consider and many resources to automate and process.
Elsewhere features a large, procedurally generated, and fully interactive world with dozens of unique biomes. Players can place and remove blocks, build castles and machines, gather and process resources, farm and cook food, explore ancient ruins and temples, fight monsters, avoid traps, collect loot, and much more. The game includes over 7,500 blocks, more than 6,000 recipes, and upwards of 300 quests.
The game includes pre-built bases and building templates, a wide variety of decorative blocks and items—including arcade machines with mini-games—along with character creation, pre-made skins, and many other unique elements.
Planned future features include NPC interactions, story elements, expanded modding support, and much more (see below). 
Please note that while _Elsewhere_ already includes most of its intended mechanics, it is still a work in progress. It’s also a very large game that takes time to fully explore and unravel.
The game features plenty of jokes and references, and there’s even a free-to-play modification called _YogLabs: Testing Initiative_, inspired by the YogLabs series. All Yogscast-related content is included with permission.
Elsewhere is built on a desire to recreate the joyful nostalgia and spirit of classic _Minecraft_ modpacks. This game wouldn’t exist without the creativity of the hundreds of mods that inspired it - so I want to say a particular thanks to the modding community for their brilliance and dedication!
What’s Done
-----------
*   Custom game engine
*   Windows launcher (Linux supported, though still in testing and without its own launcher)
*   LAN multiplayer
*   Procedural world generation
*   70+ biomes, plus sub-biomes, rivers, oceans, cliffs, lakes, islands, and ravines
*   Caverns, ores, gems, and oil deposits
*   Rich plant life: trees, shrubs, weeds, flowers, seeds, fruits, berries, crops, sea plants, corals, and mushrooms
*   Animals and animal husbandry
*   Monsters and combat
*   Day/night cycle and weather
*   Tools, weapons, armor, backpacks, jetpacks, magical artifacts, and explosives
*   Technological progression: from stone tools and water wheels to electricity and nuclear fusion
*   Thousands of items and blocks (7,500+ blocks total)
*   Farming, cooking, and potion brewing
*   Magic, transmutation, and alchemy
*   Sandbox mode
*   Crafting, resource processing, machines, and storage (6,000+ recipes total)
*   Mini-map
*   World-editing tools
*   Naturally generated structures with monsters, traps, and treasure
*   Mega-structures and bosses
*   Quest system
*   Pre-built bases and building templates
*   Mini-games
*   NPCs (work in progress)
What’s Still in Progress
------------------------
*   General polishing and balancing
*   Multiplayer optimization and Steam multiplayer support
*   NPC development, including special goals at pre-built bases
*   Additional endgame content
*   Expanded cosmetic options (yes, more hats!)
*   Full Linux support
*   Expanded modding support

Release date: Oct 24, 2025

Categories: Sandbox, Voxel-based Gameplay, Crafting, Survival, Automation Game, Magic, Exploration, Quest-driven Progression


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 8.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Two reviews directly report session length: one played 9 hours, and another played 7 hours straight. Averaging these gives about 8 hours for a typical session. The 80-hour and 12+ hour statements describe total playtime or ongoing progress, not completion of the game or story. The endgame comment provides no hours, so gameCompletion, storyCompletion, and endgame remain null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players describe an initial learning curve and fiddly multiplayer setup, but quests act as a tutorial that helps the game click. Some reviewers already love the early game, while others cite rough spots and missing features.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Initial learning curve and getting used to the game; Manual multiplayer setup with launcher instances, server hosting, and IP entry; No Steam multiplayer support yet; Missing basics such as boats and trains; Rough map system, weak mobs, empty overworld, and progression needing work
  - Unlock drivers: Quests walk players through the initial learning curve; Following the gigantic questline teaches the game; Steam multiplayer support is expected to remove multiplayer setup friction
  - Conditions: Following the questline; Initial learning curve; Manual multiplayer server setup; Steam multiplayer support availability; Current version 0.59 feature set; Playing with friends or family
- Player Archetypes:
  - Old-School Modded Minecraft Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To relive the deep tech-modpack progression and community feel of classic Tekkit-era Minecraft in a modern voxel sandbox.
    - Playstyle: Builds and automates large modded bases, compares systems to Buildcraft/IC2, and seeks out-of-the-box modded content.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: long time old school Yogscast fan
    - Reference games: Tekkit; Minecraft; Buildcraft; IC2; Tekkit Classic
  - Co-op Family and Friends Multiplayer Player (buy)
    - Motivation: To share a persistent voxel sandbox with a child or friends, even before official multiplayer is polished.
    - Playstyle: Buys multiple licenses, hosts or joins local and launcher-based servers, and works around current multiplayer limitations.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Solo-Dev Supporter and Early Access Advocate (buy)
    - Motivation: To support a passionate solo developer and follow the project’s active development and future improvements.
    - Playstyle: Plays early access builds, follows updates and community communication, and recommends based on developer responsiveness and long-term potential.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Chill Builder and Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: To relax in an expansive voxel world while building, grinding, learning systems, and discovering new content over long sessions.
    - Playstyle: Takes a patient, low-pressure approach focused on construction, resource grinding, exploration, and enjoying the ambient experience.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Overwhelmingly Positive General Reception (weight 0.61): Players consistently describe the game as great, amazing, and fun, expressing strong overall satisfaction. Many highlight it as an incredible experience worth playing.
- Expansive Content and Activities (weight 0.47): The game offers a huge amount of content, including building, tech, magic, farming, and exploration. Players appreciate the endless hours of creative crafting and adventuring.
- Better Performance Than Modded Minecraft (weight 0.38): Many note that the game runs more smoothly and performs better than a heavily modded Minecraft setup. It also requires less RAM and is more stable.
- Superior to Minecraft in Gameplay (weight 0.33): Reviewers often state they enjoy this game more than Minecraft, citing more gameplay depth and features. Some call it what Minecraft should have been.
- Enjoyable Exploration, Mining, and Crafting (weight 0.32): Core activities like exploring, mining, and crafting are frequently highlighted as enjoyable and satisfying. The game provides a solid sandbox experience.
- Polished and Stable Experience (weight 0.32): The game is noted for being polished, stable, and having very few bugs or crashes. It works well and responds smoothly.
- Nostalgic Minecraft Vibe (weight 0.28): The game evokes the feeling of playing Minecraft for the first time, with a classic old-school vibe. It brings back fond memories of early modded Minecraft experiences.
- Large World with Biomes and Resources (weight 0.28): The map is huge and filled with diverse biomes, resources, and beautiful animals. Players enjoy exploring the vibrant world and discovering new areas.
- Thoughtful Design and Quality of Life (weight 0.27): The game features thoughtful design with many quality-of-life improvements. It is described as beautifully tailored with something for everyone.
- High-Quality Graphics and Art Style (weight 0.23): The graphics are described as gorgeous, with a nice art style and texture pack. The visual presentation adds to the overall experience.
- Addictive Loot and Reward Systems (weight 0.23): The loot randomness, lucky blocks, and quest rewards are highly addictive and fun. Players enjoy the RNG element in rewards.
- Chill and Relaxing Gameplay (weight 0.22): The gameplay is often described as chill and relaxing, though it can become hectic if the player seeks it out. The sound design contributes to the atmosphere.
- Great Value for Price (weight 0.19): Many consider the game well worth the asking price, especially given the amount of content. It is described as an absolute steal.
- Family-Friendly and Multiplayer Fun (weight 0.18): The game is great to play with family and friends, providing fun for groups. Steam multiplayer is expected to enhance the experience.

Common complaints:
No negativepoints

Gameplay feedback:
- Modded Minecraft-inspired standalone game (weight 0.54): The game is heavily inspired by modded Minecraft or Minecraft modpacks, bundling mechanics, items, and content from multiple popular mods into a cohesive standalone experience. It appeals to players who enjoy the modded Minecraft style without needing separate mods.
- Quest system as tutorial (weight 0.45): A gigantic questline guides players through the game, chaining tasks such as gathering copper and then using it for crafting. Quests provide clear goals, teach mechanics, and offer rewards, functioning as an extended tutorial.
- Voxel sandbox gameplay (weight 0.41): The game features a voxel-based world and sandbox gameplay, often described as Minecraft-like. It includes block-based building, mining, and crafting in first-person perspective.
- Extensive automation and machinery (weight 0.41): Players can build complex automation systems using quarries, miners, reactors, pulverizers, furnaces, pipes, filters, and more. The game also includes electrical grids, power sources like windmills and nuclear power, and automated building with blueprints.
- Exploration and diverse biomes (weight 0.23): Players can explore a world with many biomes placed next to each other, and the world generation includes varied environments. Exploration is a key part of the experience.
- Survival elements and hostile mobs (weight 0.23): The game includes survival mechanics, hostile mobs, and survival in the wilds. Players must manage resources and defend themselves.
- Crafting and gear enhancement (weight 0.19): The crafting system allows players to craft tools, weapons, and gear, and to enhance them. It is a core part of the survival and progression experience.
- Long-term progression and achievements (weight 0.19): The game offers long-term progression through quests, achievements, and a reward system. Players work towards goals and unlock new content over time.
- Additional gameplay mechanics (weight 0.18): The game includes guns, lucky blocks, and a coin system to purchase items and blueprints. These add variety beyond core survival and automation.
- Resource mining and block selection (weight 0.13): Mining resources and selecting blocks are fundamental activities. Players gather materials to craft and build.
- Early access beta state (weight 0.13): The game is in early access or beta, meaning some features may be incomplete or subject to change.
- Multiplayer with friends and family (weight 0.13): Players enjoy multiplayer sessions with friends and family, such as playing with a daughter. However, setup can be challenging.
- Dungeon delving and adventuring (weight 0.12): The game features dungeon delving and adventuring, providing combat and exploration challenges.
- Chill but can become hectic (weight 0.12): The gameplay can be relaxing and chill, but may also become hectic depending on activities and situations.
- Tech, farming, magic, oil systems (weight 0.08): The game includes a mix of tech, farming, magic, oil, and manufacturing systems, offering diverse gameplay paths.
- Sandbox mode available (weight 0.07): A sandbox mode allows players to build and experiment freely without survival constraints.
- Built-in minimap and markers (weight 0.07): A built-in minimap and marker system help players navigate the world.
- No Creepers or skeleton archers (weight 0.07): The game does not include iconic Minecraft mobs like Creepers or skeletons with bows, differentiating it from its inspiration.

Performance notes:
- Positive performance feedback (weight 0.33): Multiple clusters praise the game's optimization, stability, and smooth performance, with consistent high frame rates and rock-solid operation. Reviewers highlight great optimization and stability as key strengths.
- Occasional crashes and lost progress (weight 0.14): A cluster notes a crash followed by loss of world progress upon reload, while another mentions only one crash so far. This indicates rare but impactful stability problems.
- Performance issues with many machines (weight 0.08): One cluster reports that frame rates drop to around 20 FPS when many machines are present. This suggests optimization may degrade in complex late-game scenarios.
- Startup failure reported (weight 0.08): One cluster reports that the game fails to start entirely. This is a critical issue preventing access to the game.

Recommendations:
- Modded Minecraft fans recommended (weight 0.8): A large number of reviewers strongly recommend the game to players who enjoy modded Minecraft, particularly classic Tekkit or Feed the Beast experiences. They describe it as a standalone version of those modpacks that removes the hassle of manual mod installation.
- Strong general recommendation (weight 0.33): Several reviewers give wholehearted, highly positive endorsements without tying their recommendation to a specific background. The tone is enthusiastic and unequivocal.
- Best Minecraft-like on Steam (weight 0.24): One reviewer describes it as the best Minecraft-like game available on Steam, and it is also recommended for fans of similar titles like Hytale, Vintage Story, or Portal Knights. This highlights its strong appeal within the survival crafting genre.
- Try before you buy (weight 0.23): Some reviewers suggest giving the game a try or checking it out if on the fence, while cautioning players to understand what they are purchasing. This is a more measured, cautious recommendation.
- Automation game with clear goals (weight 0.19): The game is recommended for players who want a Minecraft-style automation experience with clear objectives, without needing to tinker with systems outside those goals. However, one reviewer felt automation alone was insufficient and the style did not appeal to them.
- Not AAA, still unfinished (weight 0.13): A reviewer notes that the game is not AAA quality and is far from finished, yet still gives it a pass despite rough edges. This sets expectations about its current level of polish.
- Great for builders and learners (weight 0.08): Players who enjoy building, grinding, and learning are highly recommended to try the game. The gameplay loop appeals to those who like progression through construction and discovery.
- Fun early access clone (weight 0.07): For an early access title, it is described as a fun and simple Minecraft clone that can provide a few hours of enjoyment with friends. The scope and replayability are acknowledged as limited.
- Balanced compared to modded Minecraft (weight 0.07): A reviewer notes that the game's features feel natural and balanced compared to modded Minecraft, aside from combat. This suggests the game offers a more cohesive experience than cobbled-together modpacks.
- Appeals to genre fans (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for those who like the genre, indicating broad appeal within the survival crafting or automation genre. This is a straightforward endorsement based on genre preference.

Other player notes:
- Frequent modded Minecraft comparisons (weight 0.97): Many reviewers compare this game to modded Minecraft and classic Tekkit modpacks, describing it as a standalone alternative for players who enjoy modded experiences. This comparison highlights the game's appeal to that specific community.
- Developed by a solo creator (weight 0.45): Reviewers frequently note that the game is a passion project made by a single developer over many years, with ongoing updates. This emphasizes the dedication behind the game's development.
- Active developer engagement and updates (weight 0.41): The developer is described as responsive, actively listening to community feedback and pushing updates frequently. This engagement is seen as a positive aspect by many players.
- Yogscast references throughout (weight 0.27): The game contains numerous references to the Yogscast, which are noticed and appreciated by fans of the group. These references add a layer of familiarity for that audience.
- Planned train and boat features (weight 0.23): The developer has announced plans to add a train/rail system, boats, and other features. These upcoming additions are anticipated by the community.
- Positive expectations for future updates (weight 0.22): Many reviewers express excitement for future additions, such as NPCs and villages. These hopes indicate a positive outlook on the game's development trajectory.
- Steam multiplayer not yet available (weight 0.19): Steam multiplayer support is currently not implemented, and players must use workarounds for multiplayer sessions. This limitation is noted by several reviewers.
- Future modding support planned (weight 0.19): According to developer statements, modding will continue to be supported in the future. This reassures players who are interested in customizing their experience.
- Vintage Story and other comparisons (weight 0.18): The game is compared to Vintage Story, Minecraft, and Portal Knights, often in combination with other games. These comparisons highlight its place within the voxel sandbox genre.
- Inspired by Minecraft modpacks (weight 0.18): Reviewers note that the game takes elements from various Minecraft modpacks, such as Feed the Beast, IC2, and Thermal Expansion. This inspiration is evident in its mechanics and content.
- Visuals and polish criticized (weight 0.13): Some reviewers feel the game lacks the visual polish of Minecraft and other voxel games. This criticism focuses on the game's aesthetics compared to more established titles.
- Early access and incompleteness (weight 0.13): The game is in early access and not yet complete, but already has substantial content. Reviewers note its ongoing development.
- Simple Minecraft clone label (weight 0.12): Some describe the game as a simple Minecraft clone, while others see it as trying something unique. This label reflects mixed perceptions of its originality.
- Community concerns and Discord reliance (weight 0.12): Some concerns exist about community support, and update information is primarily shared via Discord or the official website. This reliance on Discord is noted.
- Developer unconcerned about Minecraft differences (weight 0.11): When asked about differentiating the game from Minecraft, the developer stated that differences will happen naturally and is not concerned. This stance reflects confidence in the game's unique direction.
- Inventory UI compared to old Minecraft (weight 0.07): The inventory interface is reminiscent of older versions of Minecraft. This comparison is made by at least one reviewer.
- Mods like Project E inspired items (weight 0.07): The game includes items inspired by Project E for transmuting items, aimed at endgame content. This feature appeals to players familiar with that mod.
- Gamepad support requires workaround (weight 0.07): Native gamepad support is absent, but a workaround exists to make it playable with a controller. This limitation is mentioned by one reviewer.
- Base plate mechanic aids building (weight 0.07): A base plate mechanic allows players to build off easily, facilitating construction. This feature is mentioned as a helpful tool.

Emotions:
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): Players enjoy the game's progression, quests, and multiplayer with family. They also appreciate the mix of mods and Yogscast references despite performance issues.
- Frustration (weight 0.1): Performance drops, tesseract issues, and crashes that lose progress frustrate players. Starting enemies are brutal and crafting sometimes yields worthless items.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): The quest and reward system makes learning fun, and players anticipate future updates and multiplayer. The developer's community interaction adds to the excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Missing villages, janky character models, and lack of achievements disappoint players. The game lacks differentiation from Minecraft and early game is too short.
- Surprise (weight 0.06): The game exceeded low expectations and delivered more than it initially appeared. It surprised players by being more enjoyable than Minecraft.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Players are enthusiastic about the tonnes of content and creative crafting. The game appeals to fans of old Tekkit modpacks and offers more gameplay than Minecraft.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the thoughtful development, quality-of-life features, and responsive dev. The game fulfills the desire for a Minecraft modpack turned into a standalone game.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players love spending hours exploring, mining, and crafting in a beautifully tailored world. The Yogscast theme and all-night play sessions show deep affection.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): The game delivers a polished standalone Tekkit experience with zero bugs and only one crash. Initial impressions are positive and fun.
- Hope (weight 0.04): Players hope the game gets recognition and popularity it deserves. Good mod support and potential for future improvement fuel this hope.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.03): The lack of native gamepad support and missing random NPCs with homes and villages slightly disappoints players.
- Gladness (weight 0.03): Players feel glad for finally trying the game and for backing it.
- Addiction (weight 0.03): The gameplay is highly addicting, with loot bags and random block rewards keeping players hooked for days.
- Concern (weight 0.03): Players worry that the game may not get enough attention to stay alive and fall out of public perception.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): The chill and fun gameplay provides a relaxing experience.
- Thrill (weight 0.01): Players feel a thrill from stumbling across this hidden gem.
- Mild frustration (weight 0.01): Having all items and blocks in one scrollable section in sandbox mode causes mild frustration.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): The game evokes nostalgia with the same vibe as first-time Minecraft discovery.
- Comfort (weight 0.01): Veteran modded-Minecraft players feel at home and comfortable.
- Warmth (weight 0.01): Seeing a game inspired by childhood favorites brings warmth.}