Info about FortressCraft Evolved!:

Official game description:
_"This really isn't the same game that I originally purchased anymore. With all the changes that have been made over that duration the game is so much more fun_
_now that there are machines to alleviate almost every large build annoyance that used to exist. The FALCORs, thieves, excavators, drills etc.. all did so much for_
_automation it's almost hard to believe I ever did that stuff manually before."_
A Whole New Survival Experience...
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**FortressCraft has continued to evolve, and now sits at 25 free Content Patches since leaving Early Access. This has included radical visual alterations, completely reworking the surface, along with a brand-new rendering system. On top of that, there has been an enormous amount of work to make the game more understandable and accessible for new players, with a new UI, new Tutorial, new Missions and a updated context-sensitive Handbook. The combination of these things should work towards making it feel like a fresh, new experience. Prepare for a new exploration and survival experience!**
_******FortressCraft Evolved******_ ****is a unique blend of Voxel Landscapes, Tower Defense, Crafting, Logistics, Exploration, Combat and Assembly lines. Players begin by crash-landing on a strange alien world, left with only a small handful of starting machines. Using hand-held scanners they must locate ore resources, place down Ore Extractors and Conveyors to automate the raw material back to the Smelter; take the fresh ingots through multi-machine assembly lines, followed by researching new technologies that help them explore thousands of meters below the planet's surface.****
****An advanced HoloBase allows players to keep an eye on their factory which they must defend against waves of alien attacks with multiple tiers of missile and energy turrets. To survive they must continue to develop new and unique power systems, from Solar Energy to Jet Turbines, culminating in crafting an Orbital Energy Transmitter, thousands of cubic meters in size, to beam power off-planet, and start the next phase of the game.****
****And all this runs on a custom engine with an enormous draw-distance, scaleable gameplay engine that is equally at home on high-end or low-end computers, and full multiplayer support!****
Experience the largest worlds ever seen in any computer game - ever!  
Create a futuristic mining operation consisting of thousands of huge machines.  
Full Tower-Defense style combat in a voxel universe.  
Use hi-tech machinery to locate and process resources from thousands of meters away.  
Explore thousands of metres vertically, overcoming ever-more difficult challenges.  
Official Texture Pack and Mod Pack support  
State of the art lighting and shadowing, utilising high resolution maps for machinery and environment  
Innovative“Build to Me” Feature to facilitate rapid, accurate building  
Super Build Tools allowing instant creation of primitive shapes  
****\[I\]"In a world where early access and indie usually means abandoned, unfinished garbage, this game's post-launch development is outpacing many AAA titles and companies."\[/I\]\[/I\]****

Release date: 9 Nov, 2015

Categories: Automation Game, Base Building, Resource Management, Tower Defense, Exploration, Survival, Cooperative Multiplayer, Mod Support


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


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:
- High Value & Addictive Gameplay (weight 0.54): Players consistently praise the game for its exceptional value, offering hundreds of hours of engaging and addictive gameplay. Its unique blend of mechanics and continuous updates contribute to its high replayability and long-term appeal, making it a standout title.
- Dedicated & Responsive Developer (weight 0.4): The game benefits from an exceptionally dedicated and responsive solo developer who actively engages with the community, streams development, and consistently releases updates and bug fixes. This strong developer support has significantly improved the game over time and fostered a helpful community.
- Deep & Satisfying Automation (weight 0.22): A core strength of the game lies in its deep and satisfying automation mechanics. Players enjoy the process of setting up complex systems, optimizing production, and watching their factories run, providing a rewarding experience for fans of the genre.
- Unique 3D Base Building (weight 0.19): The game offers a unique blend of exploration, base building, and deep mining, allowing for significant creativity in constructing 3D factories. Its distinct approach to voxel-based gameplay sets it apart from other titles.
- Immersive & Unique Atmosphere (weight 0.1): The game features a distinct and immersive atmosphere, characterized by an intentionally creepy vibe, eerie sound design, and an interesting world with varied biomes and unique enemies. This contributes to a challenging and memorable experience.
- Engaging Tower Defense (weight 0.06): The inclusion of tower defense elements adds another layer of strategic depth to the game. Players find the defense mechanics enjoyable, providing a logistical and tactical challenge that integrates well with the automation aspects.
- Robust Tech Tree (weight 0.04): The game boasts a well-developed and extensive tech tree, providing a clear sense of progression and a wide array of machines to unlock and utilize. This allows players to continuously discover new technologies and expand their capabilities.
- Multiplayer & VR Support (weight 0.04): The game offers both a rich single-player experience and multiplayer functionality, allowing friends to play together. Additionally, it includes VR support, expanding its accessibility and appeal to different player preferences.
- Realized Potential (weight 0.04): Some players noted that the game had significant potential from its earlier stages. This potential has largely been realized through continuous development and updates, transforming it into a highly regarded title.
- Modding & Workshop Support (weight 0.03): The game supports modding and has full Steam Workshop integration. This feature allows for community-created content, enhancing replayability and customization options for players.
- Upcoming Combat Features (weight 0.03): The developers are actively working on expanding the game's combat and mob systems. The introduction of hostile creatures and planned battle mechanics will add new challenges and dimensions to the gameplay.

Common complaints:
- Poor Onboarding & UI/UX (weight 0.99): Players consistently report that the game is difficult to learn due to a poor, confusing, or non-existent tutorial and an unintuitive user interface. This creates a high barrier to entry and makes the early game frustrating, leading to a perception that the game is unfinished or lacks polish.
- Excessive Grind & Complexity (weight 0.7): The game is perceived as overly complex, grindy, and slow-paced, especially in the early and mid-game. This leads to tedium and a lack of enjoyment for many players, who feel the progression is too demanding and not rewarding enough.
- Persistent Bugs & Lack of Polish (weight 0.64): The game is plagued by numerous bugs, glitches, and unpolished elements, which detract from the experience. Players feel that critical issues remain unfixed and that new updates sometimes introduce more problems, contributing to the perception of an unfinished product.
- Perceived Developer Abandonment (weight 0.19): There is a strong sentiment that the game has been abandoned by its developers, with a lack of significant updates or commitment to fixing long-standing issues. This leads to concerns about the game's future and its status as a finished product.
- Outdated Compared to Peers (weight 0.14): The game struggles to compete with more modern or established titles in the automation/voxel genre, such as Factorio or Minecraft. It is seen as lacking features, polish, and a cohesive experience compared to these alternatives.
- Aggressive DLC Promotion (weight 0.09): The game's main menu and in-game screens are criticized for prominently featuring unowned DLCs, acting more as advertisements than functional interfaces. This creates confusion and a negative user experience.
- Poor Lighting System (weight 0.08): Players report significant issues with the game's lighting system, which often makes it difficult to see and differentiate objects. This negatively impacts visibility and overall gameplay experience.
- Broken Multiplayer Setup (weight 0.06): Multiplayer functionality is reported to be broken or difficult to set up, often requiring complex router configurations. This hinders the ability to play with friends and enjoy the game's social aspects.
- Inconvenient Save System (weight 0.06): The game's save system is problematic, lacking manual save options and sometimes failing to save progress. Additionally, exiting the game is often the only way to save or return to the main menu, which is inconvenient.
- Performance Issues & Crashes (weight 0.05): The game suffers from performance issues, including significant lag, high CPU and RAM usage, and frequent crashes. This severely impacts the playability and stability of the game.
- Limited In-Game Settings (weight 0.05): Key game settings and options, such as audio and video, are often inaccessible from within the game itself. Players are forced to adjust these settings before launching or restart the game to apply changes, which is highly inconvenient.
- Poor Language Support (weight 0.05): The game lacks proper localization and language support, making it difficult for non-English speakers to understand and enjoy the game. This limits its accessibility to a global audience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Deep Mining & Logistics (weight 0.41): The core gameplay revolves around extensive mining operations, resource extraction, and complex logistics. Players must design and build efficient systems to gather, transport, and process materials from deep within the planet.
- Automation & Factory Building (weight 0.4): The game is primarily an automation/factory builder, often compared to Factorio and modded Minecraft. The goal is to automate resource gathering, processing, and crafting, transitioning from manual tasks to large-scale industrial production.
- Base Defense & Scaling Threats (weight 0.25): Base defense is a key element, with players needing to protect their structures from hostile alien creatures. Enemy attacks scale with base growth, adding a tower defense layer to the gameplay.
- Steep Learning Curve & Long Playtime (weight 0.21): The game has a significant learning curve and offers a very long playtime, with developers aiming for hundreds of hours. Its depth and complexity contribute to a challenging but rewarding experience.
- Research & Crafting Progression (weight 0.17): Research and crafting are central to progression. Players scan new discoveries to earn research points, which unlock new technologies, equipment, and crafting recipes, allowing for continuous advancement.
- Survival & Escape Goal (weight 0.11): The overarching goal is to survive on an alien planet and eventually escape. This involves dealing with environmental hazards and building an escape pod, providing a clear objective for the extensive base-building and mining.
- Environmental Hazards & Suit Power (weight 0.1): Environmental challenges, particularly extreme temperatures and toxic air, require players to manage suit power and research protective technologies. Deeper exploration exacerbates these issues, demanding constant energy management.
- Advanced Movement & Energy Systems (weight 0.07): Advanced movement and energy transfer systems become available later in the game, including jetpacks, elevators, teleporters, and complex orbital energy transmitters, enhancing mobility and logistical capabilities.
- Creative Mode for Building (weight 0.07): The game includes a Creative Mode, offering unlimited resources and tools for pure building and design without the survival or combat elements. This mode is also noted for its stable multiplayer.
- Strategic Problem-Solving (weight 0.06): The game encourages strategic thinking and problem-solving, often prompting players to consider solutions even when away from the game. It's a slow-paced, strategic experience focused on purposeful construction.
- Voxel World Exploration (weight 0.05): The game features a block-based, voxel world reminiscent of Minecraft. This allows for extensive exploration and building, with blocks having functional purposes within the game's systems.
- Co-op Multiplayer Support (weight 0.05): The game supports co-op multiplayer, allowing friends to play together and collaborate on base building and automation. PVP is not a planned feature.

Performance notes:
- Mixed performance and stability (weight 0.15): While some players experience poor performance, a notable portion of the community reports good stability and fluidity, with no crashes or significant glitches. This suggests a varied experience across different setups, with some improvements noted over time.
- Multiplayer and late-game lag (weight 0.05): Performance issues are particularly pronounced in multiplayer sessions and when dealing with large, complex in-game constructions like factories. The game's simulation of moving parts contributes to high CPU and memory usage in these scenarios.
- Excessive save loading times (weight 0.02): A specific and severe performance issue involves extremely long loading times, particularly when saving large world files upon closing the game. One user reported a 1-hour loading screen for a 10 GB save file.

Recommendations:
- Highly Recommended for Niche Audience (weight 0.42): The game is highly recommended, especially for players who enjoy niche genres like automation, logistics, base-building, or technical Minecraft/Factorio-like experiences. Many reviewers express strong positive sentiment, noting its unique appeal and good value, particularly for those willing to invest time.
- Buy Only on Sale (weight 0.1): Many reviewers suggest that the game is only worth purchasing when it is on sale. This indicates that while it may offer some value, its full price might be considered too high by some players.
- Play Satisfactory/Foundry Instead (weight 0.04): Several players explicitly recommend playing other automation games like Satisfactory or Foundry instead of this one. This suggests that competitors are perceived as offering a better or more complete experience.
- Engage with Beta/Updates (weight 0.04): Players are advised to try the Bleeding Edge beta for new content and to follow the game's development. This indicates an active development process and encourages engagement with ongoing updates.
- Multiplayer Setup Workaround (weight 0.03): For multiplayer, it's recommended to first create a single-player map and then convert it for multiplayer use. This suggests a workaround for potential issues or a specific workflow for setting up multiplayer sessions.
- Beware Game-Ruining Surprises (weight 0.02): Players should be prepared for significant, game-ruining surprises. This implies potential bugs, unexpected mechanics, or design choices that can negatively impact the gameplay experience.
- Limited Combat via Turrets (weight 0.01): The game is recommended for those interested in fighting monsters or tower defense, though combat options are limited to turret placement. This clarifies the nature of combat within the game.
- Unique Colored Landscapes (weight 0.01): The game is recommended for players who are open to unique colored landscapes. This points to a distinctive visual style that might not appeal to everyone.
- Play Without Spoilers (weight 0.01): It is highly recommended to play the game without spoilers. This suggests that discovery and exploration are key elements of the experience.
- Adjust Difficulty for Speed (weight 0.01): Setting the difficulty to 'Rapier' instead of 'Plenty' makes the game twice as fast. This provides a specific tip for adjusting gameplay pace.

Other player notes:
- Anticipation for sequel (weight 0.06): Many players are eagerly anticipating the sequel, FortressCraft: Phoenix (also referred to as FC2 or FortressCraftEvolved: Phoenix). This indicates strong player loyalty and excitement for future iterations of the game.
- Manage genre expectations (weight 0.06): Some negative reviews stem from players expecting a different genre or experience, highlighting the importance of understanding the game's unique blend of mechanics before purchase. Player satisfaction often correlates with aligning expectations.
- DLCs support development (weight 0.04): The game offers four DLCs: three are cosmetic, and one is a substantial expansion. The cosmetic DLCs help support the developer, while the expansion adds new game modes and improved machines, indicating ongoing content development.
- Inconsistent visuals (weight 0.03): Some players have noted that the game's graphics can appear strange and that the GUI visuals lack consistency. This suggests areas for potential aesthetic improvement.
- Out of early access (weight 0.02): The game has officially exited early access, indicating a more stable and complete product. Patreons receive early access to unfinished content and special cosmetic items.
- Manual language file fix (weight 0.02): A specific workaround is required for language files, where a particular XML file needs to be deleted and another renamed for proper functionality. This points to a minor technical issue that requires manual intervention.
- Laser turret bug workaround (weight 0.02): A specific bug related to laser turrets can be resolved by placing another turret on top of an existing block. This indicates a minor, specific bug with a known workaround.
- Storage/transport rebalance needed (weight 0.02): Players desire adjustments to the cost and availability of storage and transport options, suggesting a need for rebalancing in both early and late game stages.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players experienced frustration primarily due to the game's unpolished state, characterized by numerous bugs, performance issues, and a clunky, unintuitive user interface. A significant source of frustration was also the inadequate or non-existent tutorial, which, combined with the game's complexity, made the initial learning curve steep and difficult for new players to overcome. Additionally, issues like poor multiplayer setup, lack of basic features like saving or keybinding, and perceived developer neglect contributed to a sense of annoyance and dissatisfaction.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.23): Satisfaction stemmed from the game's deep and engaging gameplay, particularly its automation and factory-building mechanics, which provided a rewarding sense of progression as players figured out complex systems. Overcoming the initial learning curve and mastering these mechanics, along with the game's continuous content updates and the developer's responsiveness, contributed to a positive and fulfilling experience. The unique blend of exploration, building, and strategic depth also played a significant role in player enjoyment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Disappointment largely arose from the game's unfinished, unpolished, and buggy state, which failed to meet player expectations for a complete and refined experience. Many felt the game had unfulfilled potential, resembling an old, unpolished clone with subpar assets and design choices. The perception of developer abandonment or a focus on new projects over fixing existing issues further exacerbated this disappointment, leading to a feeling of wasted time and a lack of desire to continue playing.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Excitement was generated by the game's unique gameplay mechanics, particularly its addictive depth and the innovative combination of features like jetpacks and grappling hooks. The prospect of future game releases, along with consistent game updates and an active community, fueled anticipation and enthusiasm among players. The engaging logistics gameplay, automation, and the thrill of exploration also contributed to this positive emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players found enjoyment in the core factory-building and automation mechanics, which allowed for creative problem-solving and the satisfaction of seeing complex networks come to life. The unique blend of logistics, exploration, and strategic resource management, combined with recent game updates and optimizations, contributed to a highly engaging gameplay loop. The ability to grapple around caves and the overall experience of industrialization in a 3D environment were also key sources of enjoyment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Appreciation was directed towards the developers for their dedication, responsiveness, and ongoing commitment to the game, especially within the Early Access model. Players valued the developers' accessibility, transparency, and consistent updates, which demonstrated a strong engagement with the community and a continuous effort to improve the game. This positive interaction and the unique mechanics of the game fostered a sense of gratitude.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy was experienced through the overall positive gameplay experience, enhanced by the game's appealing visual design and effective audio. The sense of continuous improvement and the opportunity for creative expression within the game's systems contributed to this feeling. Playing with friends also significantly amplified the enjoyment and overall positive sentiment.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger stemmed from significant issues such as the game's poor UI design, perceived poor optimization, and overall low quality. Players were particularly upset by data loss and what they viewed as poor design choices by the developers, especially concerning the game's state and the developers' actions. This emotion often arose from a sense of betrayal or frustration with persistent, unaddressed problems.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arose from aspects of the game that were not clearly explained or understood, including strange concepts and a general lack of clarity. The absence of a proper introduction or a comprehensive manual, especially for non-English speakers, contributed to players feeling lost and unsure about game mechanics or objectives. This often led to a frustrating initial experience.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise was elicited by unexpected positive developments, such as the addition of VR support and a significant increase in game content over time. The resumption of development and the release of new patches also generated positive surprise. Additionally, encountering unique monster types and surprising enemy attacks contributed to this emotion, adding an element of novelty to the gameplay.
- Patience (weight 0.01): Patience was required due to the game's steep learning curve, particularly in understanding complex mechanics and navigating a potentially clunky UI. The slow start to the game also necessitated a degree of patience from players as they gradually acclimated to its systems and pace. This emotion reflects the initial hurdle players had to overcome to fully engage with the game.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope was primarily associated with the game's future potential, including the possibility of continued development and improvements, particularly in areas like translation. Players expressed a desire for the game to evolve and reach its full capabilities, indicating a belief in its long-term viability and growth. This emotion suggests an investment in the game's future.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction was a result of the game's highly engaging and compelling gameplay loop, which led to long-term engagement. The core mechanics and progression systems were designed in a way that encouraged continuous play, making it difficult for players to stop. This indicates a strong, almost compulsive, desire to keep playing.
- Informative (weight 0.01): The game was perceived as informative when it effectively explained its unique characteristics and clarified its genre. This suggests that when the game successfully communicated its core identity and mechanics, players found it helpful and educational, allowing them to better understand what to expect and how to play.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration was directed towards the developers for their significant effort and long-term commitment to the game. This emotion highlights a deep respect for the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the development team, particularly in their sustained support and improvement of the game over time. It signifies appreciation for their ongoing contributions.
- Intrigue (weight 0.01): Intrigue was sparked by the game's complexity and its perceived potential, even in its alpha state. The thoughtful design elements present in the early version of the game captured players' interest, making them curious to explore its depths and see how it would evolve. This emotion suggests a fascination with the game's underlying systems and future possibilities.
- Challenge (weight 0.01): The game's challenging nature and the presence of various threats contributed to this emotion. Players found the gameplay demanding, requiring strategic thinking and skill to overcome obstacles. This indicates that the difficulty level was a significant aspect of the player experience, providing a sense of accomplishment upon overcoming hurdles.
- Engagement (weight 0): Engagement was driven by the constant activity within the game, which kept players actively involved and immersed. The dynamic nature of the gameplay ensured that there was always something to do or interact with, preventing boredom and maintaining player interest over extended periods. This suggests a highly interactive and stimulating environment.
- Curiosity (weight 0): Curiosity was primarily driven by the desire to explore the game's world. The environment and its hidden elements encouraged players to investigate and discover new areas, resources, or secrets. This emotion highlights the appeal of exploration and the unknown within the game's setting.
- Distaste (weight 0): Distaste arose from the game's negative impact on a player's enjoyment of the genre as a whole. This suggests that the game's flaws or design choices were so significant that they soured the player's perception of similar games, leading to a strong aversion. It indicates a profound dissatisfaction that extended beyond the game itself.}