Info about Oxygen Not Included: The Prehistoric Planet Pack:

Official game description:
The Duplicants scramble to shoot down a massive impactor asteroid before it decimates their homebase!
In **The Prehistoric Planet Pack**, you'll dig deep into a new starting planet to uncover new biomes, dinosaur critters and primordial plants, natural elements and resources, and anti-asteroid explosives for planetary defense.
Wild New Biomes
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Explore brand-new biomes that range from warm and lush to chilly and caustic. Take a foray into 360-degree farming, as several of the planet's native plants have evolved to grow on walls or ceilings.
Wrangle dinos large and small, and keep an eye on the carnivores: their appetites can wreak havoc on a ranch. 
Useful New Elements
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Discover an abundance of new elements for construction, refinement and power. Duplicants revel in the earthy aroma of peat as it fuels both power generators and the new smoker building that transforms tough dino meat into tender brisket.
Archaic Aesthetics
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Customize your colony with exclusive prehistoric-themed cosmetic skins! You'll find a trove of paintings, buildings, outfits, Atmo Suits, and more in the freshly restocked Supply Closet. There's even a new set of fossil sculptures!
Incoming Asteroid!
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Head straight for the surface to build a blast line of defense against the imminent threat of an impactor asteroid! The sooner you've blasted it out of the sky, the sooner your Duplicants can get back to peeing in the water reservoirs. 
Plus, you never know what you'll find in the asteroid debris... 
New biomes to explore, critters to ranch, and disaster to avert - hit it with your best shot in **The Prehistoric Planet Pack!**

Release date: Jun 12, 2025

Categories: Colony Simulation, Resource Management, Base Building, Animal Husbandry, Survival, Automation

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Fair / Traditional DLC; summary: The reviews focus on paid DLC for the game, criticizing the scope and value of recent expansions while others recommend the DLC. There is no direct evidence of in-game microtransactions, real-money gacha, loot boxes, battle passes, paid convenience items, or pay-to-win systems. Under the scoring rules, traditional DLC value complaints cannot by themselves raise the score above the fair/pure range.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $19.99 - $29.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews describe the paid expansion as substantial and worthwhile for players who already own the base game. That positive value signal suggests the community sees the core base game as a premium indie title rather than a budget product. With no direct base-game price quote, the fair range is inferred conservatively around the standard premium indie band, roughly $20-$30.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 30.0h
  - Story completion: 30.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The strongest completion signal is the 30-hour quote for unlocking both new achievements, which covers the DLC's main objectives and supports gameCompletion and storyCompletion at about 30 hours. The 43.33-hour prehistoric planet run shows a comparable full-run length, but it is described as an ongoing run rather than a finished one, so I do not use it as the primary completion value. The 15-20 additional hours after 1400 hours in the base game and other DLCs indicates limited extra DLC playtime but is not specific enough for endgame or session length. The cycle-200 objective confirms a story goal, but it provides no hour conversion, so it only supports story context. Session length and endgame have no explicit hour evidence.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game appears to click after players absorb its high learning curve, with DLC content adding early and mid-game variety. Some players find the early game fun immediately, while others report midgame sameness or late-game performance issues.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Overcoming the high learning cost
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: High learning cost; Starting a new colony to experience the DLC and unlock Iridium; Slogging through blast shot production; Midgame sameness; Late-game performance drops; Normal settings feeling boring
  - Unlock drivers: Progressing past the high learning cost
  - Conditions: Starting asteroid type changes the early game; Playing on normal settings; Experiencing the DLC requires starting a new colony; Unlocking Iridium requires a new colony; Making the needed blast shot
- Player Archetypes:
  - ONI Veteran Content Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: New planets, playstyles, and systems to explore after already mastering the base game
    - Playstyle: Long-time colony builder who moves onto new planets and advanced mechanics for fresh goals
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: experienced ONI player; long-time player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Difficulty-Hungry Challenge Hunter (buy)
    - Motivation: Tough quests and punishing planets that keep motivation high by testing hard-won mastery
    - Playstyle: Deliberately takes on brutal maps and hard-mode runs and pushes deep into advanced systems
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: manager
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Jaded Value-Conscious DLC Critic (sale)
    - Motivation: Weighing whether the DLC's content stays relevant and is genuinely worth the price
    - Playstyle: Analytical pack-to-pack comparer who only commits to themed, purpose-built runs
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Frosty Planet Pack


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:
- Demolior meteor adds challenge (weight 0.95): The Demolior meteor scenario provides a timed threat that adds urgency and a new goal. Players can choose to destroy it or exploit its resources, offering different playstyles.
- New starting planet and biomes (weight 0.82): The DLC offers a completely different start on a new planetoid with unique biomes and resources. This shifts priorities and provides a fresh experience for veteran players.
- Unique new critters and ecology (weight 0.71): The new critters are not just variations but have unique uses and complex interactions with each other and plants. Their resource loops are well-designed and add depth to ranching.
- Great and worthwhile DLC (weight 0.65): Many players praise the DLC for being fun, high quality, and adding significant value. It is considered one of the best expansions, often compared favorably to previous packs.
- Fun and satisfying gameplay (weight 0.44): Players report having a great time with the new content, finding it fun, satisfying, and engaging. Many have spent many additional hours enjoying the DLC.
- Fresh experience for veterans (weight 0.3): The DLC offers a new experience that veterans appreciate, with new challenges and mechanics that make the game feel fresh again. It provides a different way to play.
- Customizable challenge and goals (weight 0.28): The DLC allows players to customize their challenge, such as the Demolior meteor scenario, and provides optional objectives like destroying the meteor. This adds replayability and motivation.
- Interesting new mechanics and systems (weight 0.27): The DLC introduces advanced systems such as new resource chains, plant and animal interactions, and unique mechanics like growing vines. These add depth and variety.
- Adds substantial late-game content (weight 0.23): The DLC introduces new systems and resources that are relevant throughout the late game, addressing previous lack of options. It adds depth and replayability.
- Adds new resources and production (weight 0.21): The DLC adds new resources like iridium and new ways to produce things, including renewable sources. This expands gameplay options.
- Great value for price (weight 0.2): Many reviewers find the DLC reasonably priced for the amount of content and enjoyment it provides. It is considered worth the money.
- Comparable to Frosty Planet Pack (weight 0.15): Several reviewers compare the new pack to the Frosty Planet Pack, often finding it better or at least on par. It is considered a strong addition.
- Lore and aesthetic praised (weight 0.12): Some players particularly enjoy the lore and visual design of the new content, finding it well-crafted and immersive.
- Good but not exceptional (weight 0.11): Some players find the DLC just fine or alright, with an okay amount of content. It is not bad but not outstanding for them.
- Can be played casually (weight 0.08): The DLC can be enjoyed casually, with options to ignore certain threats or play at a relaxed pace.
- Overpowered new plants and animals (weight 0.05): A few reviewers note that the new plants and animals have extreme numerical values and can be overpowered, potentially trivializing some challenges.

Common complaints:
- DLC lacks meaningful content (weight 0.47): Reviewers feel the DLC adds only early-game content that becomes irrelevant by midgame, with new resources and creatures performing old functions or being worse than vanilla. Many see it as low value and not worth buying.
- Bugs and technical issues (weight 0.44): Numerous bugs are reported, including item loss after loading saves, unpassable errors after destroying the meteor, and general instability. Reinstalling or removing mods does not fix these problems.
- Late game performance issues (weight 0.43): Many reviewers report severe lag in late-game colonies, even on high-end hardware and without mods. CPU pathfinding from added creatures and lack of multithreading are cited as likely causes.
- New critters and plants useless (weight 0.41): Many new animals and plants provide little benefit, are inefficient, or are worse than base game alternatives. Some are co-reliant on other species, making them hard to use on other maps.
- Demolior asteroid and time pressure (weight 0.35): The asteroid adds a death clock that forces a specific playstyle and discourages non-speedrunners. After destroying the meteor, some players encounter a game error that halts progression.
- Repetitive and similar to previous DLC (weight 0.31): Reviewers note that the DLC is more of the same, with few changes since beta and similar structure to Frosty Planet but worse. It adds small toys rather than substantial new gameplay.
- Poor balance and numerical imbalance (weight 0.3): The DLC introduces critters that vastly outproduce base game creatures from the same food, and relies on absurdly high stats that trivialize older animals. Some content is too easy or too short-lived.
- Too easy and lacking difficulty (weight 0.26): Many find the DLC too easy compared to base game, with no harder versions of the planet and achievements that can be trivialized with simple strategies. Some finish the main challenge well before the time limit.
- High learning curve and complexity (weight 0.25): The DLC introduces complex systems that are frustrating to learn, especially with multiple trades and advanced mechanics. It may not be suitable for beginners and can require extensive time investment.
- Miscellaneous complaints and suggestions (weight 0.23): Reviewers mention various issues like oil digging requiring underground reservoirs, missing infinite resources, old save seeds breaking, and desire for mini cluster starts. Some dislike the militaristic journal tone.
- Food options are underwhelming (weight 0.2): New food items are low quality despite high investment, and the aquatic expansion ignores some fillets entirely. Turning meat into higher quality food is often more efficient than using the new recipes.
- Poor value for money and commercialism (weight 0.19): The DLC feels like bad value, with blatant commercialism and a lack of care in naming conventions. Many recommend against buying it despite the aesthetic.
- Developer prioritizes DLC over optimization (weight 0.17): Players feel the developers should stop releasing new DLC and focus on optimizing the game. Recent DLCs are seen as incomplete and made to appease stockholders, with poor communication.
- Limited replayability and content longevity (weight 0.16): The new asteroid type is short-lived, the event is one-time only, and content loses relevance beyond a certain point unless you commit to a themed run. Many see little point in ranching new critters.
- Resource and gameplay imbalances (weight 0.16): Some new resources are worse than alternatives or impractical to obtain, like Giant Fern's chlorine consumption or Wooden Crab's cost. The DLC also ruins the end-game by handing out powerful items.
- Forced to restart for new planet (weight 0.14): Players must start a completely new colony to experience the DLC's new planet and unlock Iridium, which feels like a slog. This also breaks old saves and seeds.
- Not suitable for beginners (weight 0.13): The DLC is not necessary for beginners and its added quest content is insane and aimed at advanced players. The learning curve can drive players mental trying to figure out advanced systems.
- Unappealing mosquito creatures (weight 0.12): The mosquito animals are creepy, not beneficial, and can be exterminated without issue. Reviewers recommend exterminating them early rather than raising them.
- Lack of harder difficulties (weight 0.09): Reviewers want more difficulty options like hard and very hard modes. On max difficulty the challenge is too high for average players, while normal settings are boring.
- New animals cause performance issues (weight 0.09): Adding many new animals increases CPU burden through pathfinding calculations, and animal transport calculations create heavy load and lower frame rate.

Gameplay feedback:
- Demolior asteroid threat (weight 0.81): A central feature is the Demolior meteor that threatens the colony, requiring players to either destroy it with missiles or let it impact. Destroying it yields a renewable space POI with iridium, while letting it hit provides a one-time deposit.
- New biomes and creatures (weight 0.61): The DLC adds new biomes, critters, and plants with unique characteristics. Many clusters mention specific creatures like Rhex, Mimika, Dartle, and Jawbo, as well as new plant life.
- Ranching and farming mechanics (weight 0.56): Ranching and farming are core mechanics, with the DLC encouraging extensive critter ranching and farming for resources like fiber, food, and materials. Ecosystem interactions between plants and animals are emphasized.
- Difficulty and challenge (weight 0.54): The DLC provides a challenging experience with a high learning curve and a timed objective to destroy the meteor within a certain number of cycles. Difficulty settings allow players to adjust or turn off the threat.
- Gameplay mechanics changes (weight 0.52): The DLC introduces new gameplay mechanics such as rocket development, planetary colonization, and materials-science-based problem-solving. It also adds a 'P' to the build number, indicating a significant update.
- New critter interactions (weight 0.39): Specific critter interactions are added, such as Dreckos eating Pips, Pips producing chlorine, and butterflies promoting plant growth. These interactions affect optimal base layouts and resource production.
- DLC integration and options (weight 0.3): The DLC can be integrated into existing games and includes options to adjust settings such as turning off the asteroid impact. It offers a different starting experience and can be played standalone.
- Time-based goals (weight 0.28): The DLC introduces time-based goals, such as the 10-day impact timer and the need to destroy the meteor by cycle 200. Players must manage resources and strategy under urgency.
- New resources and elements (weight 0.26): New resources and elements are introduced, such as iridium, new metals, and materials for production. These are used in new recipes and building options.
- New food and plants (weight 0.25): New food types and plants are added, including tough meat from Rhexs, Jawbo Fillets, and plants that produce food from chlorine. A food quality system is also introduced.
- Meteor impact consequences (weight 0.23): If the meteor is not destroyed, it causes significant damage to the colony, including melting tiles and ladders. Players can use insulated tiles to protect against the impact.
- Iridium resource (weight 0.23): Iridium is a new resource obtained by destroying the Demolior meteor or letting it crash. It is used to increase building overheat temperature, similar to niobium, and is essential for certain production chains.
- Challenge scenarios (weight 0.21): The DLC includes challenge scenarios such as 'RelicAAAAAAAGHH' with a meteor impact in 10 cycles and a mode where the planet becomes magma-covered immediately. These scenarios offer unique constraints and goals.
- Space exploration rewards (weight 0.18): Destroying the meteor can provide rewards for space exploration, such as debris and access to iridium and insulation. Players can choose when to destroy it for easier access.
- Endgame content (weight 0.17): The DLC adds endgame content that becomes relevant after 300-400 cycles, such as building rockets, colonizing asteroids, and mining asteroid fields. Achievements can be obtained in around 30 hours.
- Starting experience variations (weight 0.17): The starting experience varies based on the asteroid type, with different resource availability and challenges. The starter area may be warmer and allow for sustainability without immediate overheating concerns.
- Optional objectives (weight 0.17): The DLC includes optional objectives such as destroying the meteor, with settings to change cycle limits or turn off the destruction. Players can also choose to ignore the asteroid or shoot it down.
- Prehistoric theme (weight 0.16): The DLC features a prehistoric theme with dinosaurs, ancient creatures, and apocalypse elements. This theme extends to the new planet and available resources.

Performance notes:
- Late-game performance severely laggy (weight 0.19): Multiple reports indicate severe lag in late-game colonies, especially after 300 cycles or with many duplicants, running as low as a slideshow even on high-end GPUs like 3070TI and 4060.
- Code conflicts and messy code (weight 0.16): One report attributes various bugs, including crushing crab shells, item transport failures, and egg sorting issues, to code conflicts and messy code.
- Animal-related CPU performance bottlenecks (weight 0.15): Ranching many critters, new animal pathfinding, and animal transport calculations cause high CPU load and significantly lower frame rates in late-game colonies.
- Persistent stuttering and rubberbanding (weight 0.14): Players experience lag, stuttering, and rubberbanding with teleporting, and these issues occur even on capable systems and without mods.
- Game-breaking error after meteor destruction (weight 0.11): After destroying the meteor, the game throws errors and cannot proceed, and removing mods or reinstalling does not resolve the issue.
- Laggy starsystem and prehistoric content (weight 0.1): Feedback describes a laggy starsystem and prehistoric content that is too laggy, indicating performance problems in specific late-game areas or DLC content.
- Multithreading optimization requested (weight 0.05): Players ask for optimization through multithreading to better utilize modern CPUs and reduce lag in late-game scenarios.
- Temporary fix requires restart (weight 0.05): Restarting the game is mentioned as a temporary fix for performance issues, though the problem returns after continued play.

Recommendations:
- Worth Buying for Price (weight 0.32): Many reviewers find the DLC worth the price, especially when purchased in a bundle or at a discount. The general sentiment is that the content justifies the cost.
- Adds New Challenge (weight 0.14): The DLC provides new challenges for experienced players, including difficult scenarios like 'RelicAAAAAAAGHH'. It helps newer players while still challenging veterans.
- Not Recommended (weight 0.14): Some reviewers do not recommend the DLC, citing reasons such as not justifying the time investment or feeling disingenuous to recommend.
- Thematic Content Appeal (weight 0.14): The DLC appeals to players interested in dinosaurs or specific themes like farming and ranching. However, those not interested in the theme may find it less enjoyable.
- Best DLC Choice (weight 0.1): For those who own Spaced Out, this DLC is considered the best choice among the available options. It is also a favorite among the DLCs for some players.
- Good for Newer Players (weight 0.1): Some reviewers find the DLC helpful for newer players, though others suggest it is not ideal for a first playthrough. It can offer guidance and purpose.
- Technical Issues and Polish (weight 0.09): A few reviewers mention technical issues such as an item loss bug after loading and a desire for polishing the rocket mechanic. These affect the overall experience.
- Militaristic Journal Dislike (weight 0.05): One reviewer does not recommend the DLC due to a dislike of militaristic journal entries and scientific naming inaccuracies. This is a niche concern.
- Map Seed Recommendation (weight 0.05): A reviewer suggests trying a specific map seed, especially if the Prehistoric DLC has not been purchased. This is a minor tip.
- Mosquito Extermination Tip (weight 0.05): One reviewer recommends exterminating mosquitoes early rather than raising them. This is a gameplay tip.

Other player notes:
- Comparison to Frosty Planet Pack (weight 0.31): Many reviewers compare this DLC to the Frosty Planet Pack, with some finding it more replayable and well-crafted, while others see similarities. Overall, it is often viewed as an improvement over Frosty Planet.
- DLC significance debated (weight 0.31): Opinions are divided on whether the DLC is significant, with some calling it a great addition and others seeing it as not revolutionary or less worthwhile than previous DLCs. Some feel it focuses on early-game accessibility.
- Comparison to Spaced Out DLC (weight 0.25): Reviewers frequently compare this DLC to Spaced Out, often considering it the best DLC since Spaced Out. However, some feel it does not reach the same level of quality.
- DLC ranking among packs (weight 0.18): Reviewers rank this DLC among other packs, often placing it above Bionic Booster and sometimes above Frosty Planet, but below Spaced Out. The Prehistoric pack is sometimes seen as the least enjoyable.
- Price and bundle discounts (weight 0.14): The DLC's price is considered justified by some, especially with a 35% discount for owners of previous DLCs or when purchased in a bundle. This makes it more accessible to existing players.
- Adds new foods and Dupe skins (weight 0.13): 9 new foods and 2 new Dupe skins are included, adding variety to cooking and character customization. Some also mention new building skins and clothes.
- Adds new elements and buildings (weight 0.1): 7 new elements and 4 new buildings are introduced, expanding crafting and base-building options. This provides more depth to resource management.
- Adds new scenario and asteroid (weight 0.09): The DLC adds 1 new scenario and 1 distant asteroid, offering new challenges and exploration opportunities. These are less frequently mentioned but still notable.
- Supporting the developer (weight 0.09): Some players purchased the expansion primarily to support the developer, indicating goodwill towards the studio. This reflects a positive relationship with the community.
- Beta version experience (weight 0.08): Some reviewers played the beta and noted that the experience didn't change much since. This suggests the beta was representative of the final product.
- Adds new starting asteroids (weight 0.06): The DLC introduces 5 new starting asteroids, including 2 for vanilla and 3 for Spaced Out. This adds significant variety to game starts.
- Alternate start type DLC (weight 0.05): The DLC provides an alternate start type, offering a different way to begin the game. This is a key feature for some players.
- Adds new vent type (weight 0.05): A new vent type is introduced, providing additional resource management options. This is a minor but specific addition.
- Demolior threat tied to DLC (weight 0.05): The Demolior threat is tied to the DLC and is unlikely to receive further development. This may concern players hoping for ongoing updates.
- Map seed food scarcity (weight 0.05): A specific map seed has advantageous vents near start but suffers from early food scarcity. This is a minor point but provides useful gameplay insight.
- Compatibility with other expansion (weight 0.05): A new aquatic expansion exists but does not interact with the Jawbo fillet from this pack, potentially limiting cross-content synergy. This is a niche observation.
- Part of planet pack series (weight 0.05): This DLC is part of a series of planet packs, suggesting a themed collection. This context may influence expectations.
- Hope for future DLC focus (weight 0.05): Some players hope the next DLC focuses on elements other than small animals, indicating a desire for different content. This reflects community preferences.
- Played as alternative to Don't Starve (weight 0.04): One reviewer plays this as an alternative when tired of Don't Starve, showing its appeal as a different survival experience. This is a niche comparison.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.21): Players are frustrated by persistent technical issues like severe late-game lag, bugs that block progress, and performance drops from new animals and DLC systems. They also find the difficulty and learning curve overwhelming, with specific complaints about the aquatic expansion ignoring Jawbo fillet, early meteor strikes, and repetitive adversaries.
- Disappointment (weight 0.19): Disappointment stems from the DLC being considered the least favorite, with content that feels trivial, poorly balanced, and lacking integration into the main game. Players cite low-value additions, unresolved lag, forced playstyles, and a shift away from survival challenge as key letdowns.
- Excitement (weight 0.13): Excitement is driven by novel gameplay mechanics, new challenges like the Demolior threat, and the addition of dinosaurs and apocalypse themes. Players enjoy the urgency of meteor strikes, the ability to shoot down threats, and the fresh strategic problems introduced by new creatures and planets.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfaction comes from the DLC providing many additional hours of fun, customizable challenges, and unique goals that give purpose. Players appreciate the new content that encourages replays, improves over previous DLCs, and makes previously niche mechanics like chlorine management worthwhile.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Enjoyment is derived from new biomes, creatures, and production chains, especially the prehistoric planet run and breeding dinosaurs. The Demolior twist and endless optimization opportunities keep players entertained and engaged.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.06): Enthusiasm is sparked by distinct features, substantial late-game content, and the DLC being considered the best expansion yet. Players praise the new critters, plants, and elements that create a new kind of world, along with high replayability and strategic variety.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Joy is found in exploring the impactor asteroid, discovering new plants and predators, and watching cute dinosaurs and their babies. These elements bring delight and a sense of wonder to the gameplay.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): Amusement arises from the comedic growth of the Impactor, the fun challenge of the Demolior meteor, and humorous moments like watching the rhex repeatedly miss its hunts.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance is caused by the asteroid death clock requiring disabling, the militaristic tone of new journal entries, and unfixed bugs with creatures and the jukebox.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom results from a lack of late-game content and repetitive tasks, with normal settings feeling dull after a while.
- Dislike (weight 0.02): Dislike is directed at timed challenges in general and new animals that don't fit a playstyle focused on minimizing animal farming.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is felt for the game's depth and all its advanced systems, which impress players with their complexity.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief comes from not having to worry about overheating the main base right away, easing early-game pressure.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is piqued by new animals and plants that are powerful and individual, offering fresh gameplay possibilities.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is triggered by the mosquito animal being oddly creepy, which some players find off-putting.
- Indignation (weight 0.01): Indignation arises from the flouting of scientific naming conventions, which some players find disrespectful to established norms.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for the DLC4 addition that allows for more play, extending the game's lifespan.
- Urgency (weight 0.01): Urgency is created by meteors grinding away and the need to rush surface defense to protect the colony.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is shown for a well-crafted DLC that adds needed stepping stones, enhancing the overall experience.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Affection is directed at the Rhex creature, with players forming a strong emotional bond and calling it their baby and son.}