Info about The Planet Crafter:

Official game description:
  
Embark on a chill experience alone or with up to 10+ friends in online co-op. Your mission is to survive on a hostile planet and turn a barren land into a lush paradize. Terraforming is the only way!  
You are sent on a hostile planet with one mission: Make it habitable for Humans. You'll have to survive, collect resources, build your base, produce machines to heat the planet, create an oxygen-rich atmosphere and eventually geo-engineer an entire planet!  
Gather minerals and resources to survive. Craft all the tools you need to fulfill your mission. Explore old shipwrecks and ruins and discover a planet full of mysteries!  
You'll need a base and all sorts of machines to make yourself at home, and be able to bring life to this planet! Progress through building tiers to upgrade and expand your base and explore the planet further.  
See life forms appear on the planet as you terraform it by increasing heat, oxygen and pressure. Witness the first signs of life with moss and insects and unleash the planet's full potential with thick forests and animals.  
From chill to hardcore, choose the difficulty level that suits you. Play with starting presets to create new games and experience endless possibilities.  
*   Multiplayer: survive by yourself or with friends (1-10+ online co-op)  
*   Survival: Thirst, Oxygen, Temperature and Health mechanics  
*   Base Building: shelter from a hostile environment and expand your exploration  
*   Crafting: equipment, tools and food to help you survive  
*   Terraformation: turn an entire hostile planet to a habitable paradise!  
*   Build machines to create atmospheric pressure and heat the planet  
*   Create a biosphere with breathable oxygen  
*   See your environment change as your terraformation progresses  
*   Creatures: create life by decrypting and mixing DNA extracts and make your own animals  
*   Procedurally generated shipwrecks: explore and find infinite rare loot  
*   Chill experience with no violence: the only enemy you'll have to fight is the hostile environment  
*   Adjustable difficulty to fit your level  
*   Adjustable presets for renewed experiences through time  
*   Creative mode

Release date: Apr 10, 2024

Categories: Survival, Base Building, Crafting, Exploration, Terraforming, Resource Management, Cooperative Multiplayer, Procedural Generation

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair; summary: The overall sentiment from user reviews indicates a positive reception of the game's DLCs. Players appreciate the reasonable pricing, the substantial content added by the DLCs, and the fair practices such as only requiring one purchase for multiplayer access. There are no indications of predatory monetization practices, and users explicitly note the absence of pay-to-win mechanics.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: High Wiki Dependency; summary: The analysis of user feedback for 'Wiki Tax' reveals several key themes. The most prominent issue is the heavy reliance on external wikis for learning game mechanics and progression, which many users find disruptive to their experience. Technical issues, particularly game crashes when alt-tabbing, are also a significant concern. Additionally, users frequently mention the need for better in-game guidance on crafting and progression, as well as frustrations with inventory and resource management. These insights suggest that while the game offers a rich experience, there are notable pain points related to external dependencies and technical stability.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game generally runs well on Linux with positive feedback on launch reliability, performance, and overall satisfaction. Some users report stability issues, but these are less frequent and do not significantly impact the overall positive experience.
- Steam Deck: score 70; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The game has significant issues on the Steam Deck, particularly with controller support and performance. While some users have had positive experiences, the overall feedback indicates that the game is not well-optimized for the Steam Deck, despite being listed as verified. Co-op experiences also vary, with PC users having a smoother experience compared to Steam Deck users.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game generally performs well across most hardware cohorts, with high FPS and smooth gameplay reported frequently. However, there are isolated issues such as crashes and the need to disable vertical sync for optimal performance.
  - Sample size: 106 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 55 reports): Players report the game running smoothly at 120 FPS with no issues on max graphics settings.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 23 reports): Mostly positive reviews with the game running well, though there are some reports of crashes.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 15 reports): Smooth performance on high settings, but vertical sync needs to be disabled to avoid input lag.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 9 reports): The game runs but with lower FPS than expected, indicating some optimization issues.
  - Caveats: 106 of 16302 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a mix of opinions on the game's value. Some users feel the game is not worth the current price of 24 EU, while others believe it deserves to be paid full price. Several users mention that the game is a great deal, especially when on sale, and offers a lot of fun and content for the cost. The general sentiment suggests that while the game has some drawbacks, such as grindiness and lack of replayability, it is still considered worth the money, particularly when purchased at a discount.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 1100.0h
  - Story completion: 50.0h
  - Session length: 10.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes direct mentions of playtime and experiences related to 'The Planet Crafter.' The first quote indicates a significant time investment in building within the game. The second quote explicitly states a total playtime of 1100 hours, which is a strong indicator of long-term engagement. The third and fourth quotes mention 50 hours and 134 hours of playtime, respectively, further supporting the idea of extended gameplay sessions. These quotes collectively suggest that players spend considerable time on various aspects of the game, from building and exploration to overall enjoyment.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts fun with exploration and building, but becomes repetitive and grind-heavy over time. The initial engagement is driven by seeing real-time impacts on the world, but later stages require waiting for resources and points.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Initial exploration and building phase
  - Time to anchor: 0h 30m
  - Friction: Grind-heavy progression; Repetitive tasks; Waiting for resources and points
  - Unlock drivers: New machines; Resources; Visual progression of the planet
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Seeing real-time impacts on the world; Exploration and building
- Player Archetypes:
  - Chill Crafter (sale)
    - Motivation: Relaxation and casual gameplay
    - Playstyle: Casual, relaxed, often multitasking with other activities.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual gamer; relaxation seeker
    - Reference games: Minecraft; Subnautica
  - Terraforming Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Satisfaction from terraforming and visual progression
    - Playstyle: Focused on terraforming and enjoying the visual changes in the planet.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: terraforming fan; visual progression enthusiast
    - Reference games: Subnautica; No Man's Sky
  - Progression Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Sense of progression and achievement
    - Playstyle: Focused on survival, progression, and achieving milestones.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: survival gamer; progression enthusiast
    - Reference games: Subnautica; Minecraft
  - Exploration Lover (buy)
    - Motivation: Exploration and discovery
    - Playstyle: Focused on exploring the planet and discovering new research and areas.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: exploration enthusiast; discovery seeker
    - Reference games: No Man's Sky; Subnautica


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:
- Fun and enjoyable gameplay (weight 0.48): The game is widely described as fun and enjoyable, offering a relaxing and engaging experience. Players appreciate the simple yet captivating gameplay mechanics that cater to a broad audience.
- Satisfying terraforming process (weight 0.4): Players find the terraforming mechanics highly satisfying, as they transform barren planets into lush, habitable worlds. This process is visually appealing and provides a strong sense of progress and accomplishment.
- Rewarding exploration mechanics (weight 0.32): The game emphasizes exploration, with players frequently noting the joy and satisfaction derived from discovering new areas, resources, and challenges. The world design encourages curiosity and rewards players for their efforts, making exploration a core and enjoyable aspect of the gameplay.
- Enjoyable resource gathering and crafting (weight 0.29): Players enjoy the resource gathering and crafting mechanics, which are integral parts of the gameplay. These activities are found to be relaxing and satisfying, adding depth to the overall experience.
- Enjoyable co-op experience (weight 0.22): The cooperative gameplay is highlighted as a significant positive aspect, with players enjoying both solo and multiplayer modes. The collaborative nature of co-op enhances the overall gaming experience.
- Relaxing and meditative gameplay (weight 0.19): The game is described as relaxing and meditative, providing a peaceful and enjoyable experience. This makes it a great choice for players looking to unwind and de-stress.
- Great survival game elements (weight 0.15): The game is praised for its survival aspects, making it a great choice for fans of the survival genre. It combines survival mechanics with crafting and exploration, providing a well-rounded experience.
- High replayability and long-term enjoyment (weight 0.14): Players report spending many hours engaged in the game, indicating high replayability and long-term enjoyment. The game's mechanics and content keep players entertained for extended periods.
- Visually appealing planet transformation (weight 0.14): The transformation of planets is visually appealing and enjoyable to watch. Players appreciate the visual progress and changes that occur as they terraform the planet.
- No combat or enemies (weight 0.14): The absence of combat and enemies is noted as a positive aspect, making the game more relaxing and accessible. This design choice caters to players who prefer a non-violent gaming experience.
- Good value for money (weight 0.14): Players feel that the game is worth its price, offering excellent value for the money spent. The overall quality and enjoyment justify the cost.
- Base building mechanics (weight 0.11): The game offers extensive and varied base building mechanics, allowing players to create and develop their bases freely. This adds another layer of depth and creativity to the gameplay.
- Overall high-quality game (weight 0.11): The game is praised for its overall quality, with players describing it as exceptional and well-crafted. This positive reception underscores the game's strong design and execution.

Common complaints:
- Vehicle control and handling issues (weight 0.19): There are significant issues with vehicle control and handling. Players have reported poor vehicle handling and collision issues.
- Game becomes boring and tedious (weight 0.17): The game is reported to get boring pretty quickly and can become tedious towards the end. Some players find it monotonous and occasionally annoying.
- Frequent bugs reported (weight 0.15): Players have reported a variety of bugs, including issues with the rover and map bugs. These bugs are described as irritating and frequent.
- Poor and outdated graphics (weight 0.15): The graphics are criticized for being cartoonish, poor, outdated, and bland. Some players find the visual style weak and inconsistent.
- Excessive grinding required (weight 0.12): The game requires a huge amount of grinding to progress, which can be painfully slow. Players report grindy progression, especially in the end-game.
- Weak storyline and ending (weight 0.11): The story and ending are criticized for being weak and lackluster. Players feel there is a lack of meaningful story and character progression.
- Rough and unfinished feel (weight 0.1): The game is described as rough around the edges and not as polished as other games. Some players feel it has an overall unfinished feel.
- Poor optimization and lag (weight 0.1): The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to lag issues and varying FPS. Players have noticed significant problems with optimization.
- Small map size (weight 0.09): The map is considered too small by many players. The world map and base game world are described as very small.
- Terraforming process issues (weight 0.08): The terraforming process becomes less meaningful on subsequent planets and is considered too simple and repetitive. Some players find the final stages tedious.
- Scarce resources at start (weight 0.06): Some resources are too scarce at the start of the game, making it difficult for players. Constant resource management is required initially.
- Poor building and system design (weight 0.06): The building system is poorly designed, and there are issues with other systems in the game as well.
- Pacing issues (weight 0.06): The game has issues with pacing, including poor pacing balance and slow endgame pacing.
- Lack of scientific accuracy (weight 0.06): The game lacks scientific explanations for terraforming and has issues with scientific accuracy and realism in terraforming parameters.

Gameplay feedback:
- Terraforming and resource management (weight 0.46): Core mechanics involve terraforming planets and managing resources like heat, pressure, oxygen, food, and water. This includes base building and crafting.
- Open-world exploration focus (weight 0.34): The game emphasizes exploration and discovery, including navigation tools, secrets, and adventure elements. Players can explore various environments such as wrecks and different planets.
- Crafting and automation (weight 0.22): Includes crafting mechanics, automation systems with drones, and resource management for building and survival.
- Relaxing and low-stress gameplay (weight 0.21): The game offers a calm and relaxing experience with low-stress gameplay, focusing on exploration and building without combat.
- Progression and survival mechanics (weight 0.19): Features a progression system with visual changes, tech trees, and survival mechanics including hunger, thirst, and oxygen management.
- Cooperative multiplayer gameplay (weight 0.15): The game supports cooperative multiplayer modes, allowing players to engage in co-op gameplay and multiplayer cooperation.
- Base building and management (weight 0.14): Players can build and manage bases, including relocation and infrastructure creation, which is integral to the gameplay.
- Comparisons to other games (weight 0.1): The game is often compared to Subnautica and No Man's Sky, indicating similar exploration and survival mechanics.
- Unlocking new content (weight 0.09): The game features unlocking new items, technologies, and areas as players progress.
- Narrative and environmental storytelling (weight 0.09): Exploration is tied to narrative design and environmental storytelling, including puzzle-solving elements.
- Adjustable difficulty settings (weight 0.07): The game includes adjustable difficulty levels, catering to both beginners and experienced players.
- Inventory and storage management (weight 0.07): Players need to manage inventory and storage, including sorting and supply chains for resources.

Performance notes:
- Optimization and performance (weight 0.21): The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players reporting smooth performance even on older hardware, while others experience lag and FPS drops. This inconsistency affects the game's playability on various systems.
- Graphical glitches and issues (weight 0.19): Multiple reports highlight various graphical problems, including glitches, texture issues, and inconsistent graphics. These issues affect the visual experience and immersion in the game.
- Collision and clipping issues (weight 0.17): Numerous reports of collision and clipping problems, where players can glitch through terrain, walls, or other objects. These issues can disrupt gameplay and cause frustration.
- Occasional bugs and oversights (weight 0.15): Players have encountered occasional bugs and oversights in modeling. These bugs, while not game-breaking, can be immersion-breaking and affect the overall experience.
- Game crashes and freezing (weight 0.13): There are reports of the game frequently crashing or freezing, which can lead to a poor user experience and potential loss of progress.
- Map and terrain issues (weight 0.09): Various issues related to the game's map and terrain, including visual bugs, readability problems, and out-of-bounds areas. These issues can affect navigation and immersion.
- Vehicle and driving mechanics (weight 0.07): Issues related to vehicle functionality and driving mechanics have been reported, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.06): The game runs well on Steam Deck, with smooth performance reported by several players. However, there are also reports of needed improvements for Steam Deck controls.
- Camera and movement issues (weight 0.06): Players have reported issues with camera movement and gameplay bugs related to camera angles. These issues can affect the overall control and enjoyment of the game.
- Physics and gravity issues (weight 0.06): Reports of physics and gravity-related bugs, such as characters getting stuck in the air or unrealistic car movements. These issues can disrupt gameplay and cause frustration.
- Weather and environmental effects (weight 0.05): Bugs related to weather effects and environmental interactions, such as buggy rains and meteorite showers, have been reported.
- Game saving and launching issues (weight 0.04): Some players have experienced issues with game saving and launching, which can lead to progress loss and frustration.
- Inventory and item issues (weight 0.04): Problems with inventory management and despawned items have been reported. These issues can affect gameplay mechanics and player progression.
- Resource and structure issues (weight 0.04): Problems with resources turning invisible and issues with navigating through certain structures have been noted.
- Sound and pause menu issues (weight 0.02): There are reports of sounds continuing to play in the pause menu, which can be annoying and immersion-breaking for players.
- Game closing and restart issues (weight 0.02): There are reports of the game not fully closing, requiring a PC restart. This can be inconvenient and disruptive for players.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for terraforming and exploration fans (weight 0.25): This game is highly recommended for fans of terraforming, exploration, and survival games. It offers a unique experience in shaping and discovering worlds at your own pace.
- Relaxing and enjoyable gameplay (weight 0.22): The game provides a relaxing and immersive experience, making it perfect for those looking to unwind and enjoy a cozy gaming session.
- Highly recommended purchase (weight 0.19): Many reviewers highly recommend purchasing the game due to its value and enjoyable gameplay. It is considered worth the price and a great addition to any game library.
- Great for survival and crafting fans (weight 0.13): The game is ideal for fans of survival, crafting, and base building. It offers a chill and satisfying experience without the stress of PVP or PVE.
- Comparison to Subnautica (weight 0.1): The game is often compared to Subnautica and is recommended for fans of similar games. It offers a unique underwater exploration and survival experience.
- Try the free demo (weight 0.04): Many reviewers suggest trying the free demo to get a taste of the game before making a purchase decision.
- Recommended for escapism (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for those looking to relax and escape reality, providing a perfect mechanism for escapism.
- Indie gem worth trying (weight 0.04): The game is considered an indie gem and is highly recommended for those looking to try something different and unique.
- Alternative to No Man's Sky (weight 0.04): If you enjoy No Man's Sky but are looking for a more affordable alternative, this game is highly recommended.
- Recommended for cooperative play (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for playing with friends or more people, as it offers a great co-op experience with faster progression.
- Unique and relaxing sandbox survival (weight 0.03): The game is praised for its beautiful, relaxing sandbox survival experience, making it an easy recommendation.
- Highly recommended despite small complaints (weight 0.03): Despite some small complaints, the game is highly recommended for its overall enjoyable experience.
- Best for survival, RPG, and RTS fans (weight 0.02): The game is best suited for fans of survival, RPG, and RTS genres, offering a unique blend of gameplay mechanics.
- Emotional and narrative-driven gameplay (weight 0.02): The game is highly recommended for its emotional and narrative-driven gameplay, offering a deep and engaging story.
- Game should be made cheaper (weight 0.02): Some reviewers suggest that the game should be made cheaper to attract more players.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.02): Some reviewers recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing the game to get the best value.
- Recommended DLC purchase (weight 0.02): Reviewers recommend purchasing the Toxicity DLC along with the game for an enhanced experience.
- Preserve sense of discovery (weight 0.02): Reviewers recommend not looking up information about the game to preserve the sense of discovery and exploration.

Other player notes:
- Session playtime suggestion (weight 0.03): Players suggest adding a feature to track playtime for each gaming session.
- Ukrainian localization request (weight 0.03): There is a request from players for the game to be localized in Ukrainian.
- Building and crafting tips (weight 0.02): Players share various tips and notes about building and crafting mechanics within the game.
- DLC mentioned (weight 0.02): Players have mentioned the availability or desire for downloadable content (DLC).
- YouTube channel reference (weight 0.02): Some reviews reference a YouTube channel for additional content related to the game.

Emotions:
- Enjoyment (weight 0.19): Players enjoy the game primarily due to its terraforming and exploration mechanics, which allow them to rebuild and transform planets while exploring diverse environments. The cooperative gameplay, crafting systems, and the relaxing pace contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment, with many players appreciating the sense of accomplishment and the beautiful visuals.
- Joy (weight 0.14): The joy in the game comes from the satisfying process of terraforming planets and seeing them evolve, as well as the engaging and addictive gameplay mechanics. Players also find joy in cooperative play, the beautiful graphics, and the overall relaxing yet rewarding experience.
- Frustration (weight 0.13): Frustration in the game is mainly caused by various bugs, unstable performance, and unclear mechanics. Players also express annoyance with building mechanics, resource management issues, and the lack of meaningful progression or quality-of-life features.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Satisfaction is derived from the game's progression system, terraforming mechanics, and the sense of accomplishment as players see their efforts transform the planet. The clear feedback on actions, enjoyable crafting, and building mechanics also contribute to a fulfilling gameplay experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Players are excited by the continuous challenges, exploration, and the immersive terraforming process. The prospect of new content, such as DLCs and updates, as well as the engaging storyline and the ability to travel to other planets, adds to the excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Disappointment stems from the game's late-game repetitiveness, lack of depth, and unmet expectations regarding story and exploration. Players also express dissatisfaction with graphical issues, limited content, and the overall lack of significant changes in new planets.
- Relaxation (weight 0.04): The game provides a relaxing experience through its calm pace, lack of constant threats, and the meditative aspects of terraforming and exploration. The peaceful gameplay and soothing music contribute to a stress-free and enjoyable environment.
- Excited (weight 0.02): Players are excited by the game's rewarding world transformation, continuous rewards, and fun exploration. The introduction of new content, such as co-op features and DLC moons, as well as the engaging progression system, keeps players eagerly anticipating more.
- Addiction (weight 0.02): The game's engaging and time-consuming gameplay loop, along with the continuous goals and terraforming process, makes it highly addictive. Players find themselves constantly drawn to the game due to its immersive and surprising mechanics.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players express love for the game due to its overall enjoyable experience and mechanics. The game's unique terraforming aspects and the continuous updates and improvements contribute to a deep appreciation and affection for the game.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are pleasantly surprised by the game's depth, variety, and engaging mechanics, which exceed their initial expectations. The unique spin on familiar mechanics from other games and the ease of connecting to other planets add to the element of surprise.
- Content (weight 0.01): The game's peaceful and combat-free gameplay, along with its meditative and relaxing mechanics, leaves players feeling content. The stress-free environment and engaging gameplay contribute to a sense of satisfaction and tranquility.
- Positive (weight 0.01): Despite some flaws, players have a positive experience with the game due to its immersive features and enjoyable gameplay mechanics. The sense of community and the game's convenience also contribute to a generally positive outlook.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Players are in awe of the game's beautiful and immersive graphics, as well as the incredible experience of seeing a barren planet transform into a vibrant world. The realistic terraforming mechanics and the colorful infrastructure objects contribute to a sense of wonder and admiration.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players are impressed by the game's terraforming mechanics, gameplay progression, and the developer's responsiveness to updates and expansions. The surprising updates and impressive flora also contribute to a positive impression of the game.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game for its in-depth terraforming process, expansive gameplay, and the fantastic job done by the development team. The evolving map and the insane amount of depth in the game mechanics are particularly noteworthy.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players express gratitude for the game's positive impact on their lives and the significant amount of time they have spent enjoying it. The appreciation for developer updates and the continuous improvements also contribute to a sense of thankfulness.
- Relaxed (weight 0.01): The game's relaxing and beautiful environment, along with its nice and relaxing music, provides a meditative and task-oriented experience. The peaceful gameplay and lack of stress contribute to a deeply relaxed state.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game's mechanics and progression system. The enjoyable gameplay and the engaging mechanics keep players eagerly anticipating more content and updates.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Frustration is caused by specific bugs such as falling through rocks and swimming pools, as well as janky rover driving mechanics. These issues disrupt the gameplay experience and lead to a sense of annoyance and frustration.}