Approaching Infinity Review Summary

An exceptional traditional space roguelike with deep exploration and endless replayability, though static progression, tedious grinding, and generic unbalanced combat blunt its depth.

Exceptional roguelike experience: Players universally praise the game as one of the best and most unique roguelikes, with many calling it a new favorite. It is described as engaging, accessible, and a standout in the genre.

Deep space exploration and simulation: The game features rich space exploration, trading, combat, and faction interactions, echoing classic space sims. It offers a vast universe to discover and engage with.

Infinite replayability and content: The game offers immense replay value through varied ships, classes, and procedural generation, ensuring no two runs are alike. Players highlight the abundance of content and strategic depth.

Traditional roguelike with modern twists: It successfully blends classic roguelike mechanics with modern design and a sci-fi setting, appealing to both veterans and newcomers. The mix of turn-based combat and space exploration is seamless.

Addictive and fun gameplay: Many reviewers find the game extremely addictive and enjoyable, often losing track of time. The core loop is satisfying and keeps players engaged.

Static progression and lack of depth: Progression is linear with numbers slowly increasing, and systems feel half-baked. The game lacks the complexity of other titles in the genre.

Tedious exploration mechanics: Exploring planets is tedious due to empty landscapes, oxygen limits, and the need to backtrack. Auto-explore is inefficient and can be hazardous.

Combat feels unbalanced and generic: Ground combat has high melee penalties, while space combat is basic and repetitive. Enemies can be too tough or too easy, lacking tactical depth.

Repetitive and grindy gameplay: The game loop is highly repetitive, with players clearing the same types of planets and shipwrecks repeatedly. Progression often feels like a grind with little variation.

Unbalanced economy and crafting: Crafted equipment is far stronger than shop-bought items, making trading and commerce irrelevant. Infinite money and resources can be easily exploited.

Traditional Space Roguelike Core: The game is fundamentally a traditional, turn-based roguelike set in a sci-fi space setting. It combines classic roguelike mechanics with space exploration and combat.

Deep Space Exploration Systems: Players can explore planets, space stations, wrecked spacecraft, and caves. The game features a procedurally generated infinite universe with galaxy sectors and range-based travel.

Faction Reputation and Quests: A faction reputation system influences opportunities, hostility, and welcome at stations. Players complete quests and missions for various factions, with multiple endings based on faction choices.

Permadeath and Difficulty Options: The game offers optional permadeath for a high-stakes roguelike experience. Multiple difficulty settings, including medium and harder modes, allow players to customize the challenge.

Away Team Missions on Planets: Away missions shift into grid-based tactical roguelike gameplay reminiscent of classic Rogue or Nethack. Players deploy landing parties to explore planet surfaces, caves, and derelict ships.

Runs on very low-end hardware: Multiple players mention the game is extremely lightweight, able to run on a potato laptop or even a washing machine. This highlights exceptionally low system requirements.

Poor performance on other devices: Some users experience lag on every move and FPS fluctuating between 15 and 60 both in space and on planet surfaces. This suggests inconsistent optimization outside of the Steam Deck.

Steam Deck resolution missing: A user notes that the native Steam Deck resolution 1280x800 is not available, with only 280x720 offered. This is a notable display compatibility issue on that device.

Strong recommendation for roguelike fans: The overwhelming majority of reviewers recommend this game specifically for fans of traditional roguelikes, with many citing it as one of the best in the genre on Steam. The game is praised for blending classic roguelike mechanics with a space setting.

Enthusiastic purchase recommendations: Many reviewers urge others to buy the game immediately, regardless of sales, emphasizing it is worth every penny. Phrases like 'just buy it' and 'don't sleep on this' are common.

High replayability and depth: Reviewers praise the game for its depth, procedural generation, and long-lasting appeal. It is described as a time sink with high replay value, especially for fans of open-ended exploration.

Great for space sim enthusiasts: Reviewers frequently recommend the game for players who enjoy space sims, sci-fi settings, and games like Starflight or Star Control. The blend of space exploration, trading, and combat with roguelike mechanics is highly praised.

Accessible to genre newcomers: Multiple reviewers highlight that the game is very accessible for players new to traditional roguelikes, offering a friendly entry point. It is described as more approachable than complex titles like Caves of Qud or Dwarf Fortress.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $18.00.

Game completion: 32.0h.

Session length: 4.0h.

Approaching Infinity is often described as immediately addictive and fun, but many players report that repetition and static progression make it wear thin over time.

Friction: Steep learning curve; Tutorial text is cut off and displaced; Early game can seem overly simplistic; Manual planetary exploration gets tedious; Space trading is too simple; Clearing every planet and point quickly becomes repetitive.

Hardcore Traditional Roguelike Veteran: Optimizes ship builds, crew, damage types, and faction reputation across long runs. Motivation: Master deep, replayable roguelike systems and keep discovering new interactions. Stance: buy.

Open-Ended Space Sandbox Roleplayer: Chooses trader, pirate, or peaceful explorer routes; uses trade, diplomacy, faction manipulation, and avoidance of unnecessary combat. Motivation: Create their own captain identity and story in an open sci-fi sandbox. Stance: buy.

Accessibility-Seeking Roguelike Newcomer: Learns at their own pace, follows progression and story, and prefers forgiving systems over hardcore optimization. Motivation: Enter a deep roguelike/space game without a punishing hardcore learning curve. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck: All reviewed feedback about the Steam Deck experience is positive. Users report that the game runs amazingly, plays great, supports controller input, works well in fullscreen, and suits pick-up-and-play use. No technical barriers such as external launchers, Proton Experimental toggles, small text, battery drain, anti-cheat errors, or stability issues are mentioned.

Linux and Proton: The provided reviews contain only positive feedback regarding Steam Deck performance, with no reports of Linux/Proton compatibility issues. The game appears to run well on Linux-based platforms.

Ongoing development and updates: The developer continues to develop the game, adding new content and improvements regularly. This ongoing support has been happening for years, sometimes with same-day patches.

Compared to Star Control and Starflight: The game is often likened to Star Control and Starflight, with echoes of both in setting and gameplay. Some note it feels like a version of Star Control made to avoid copyright infringement.

Comparisons to traditional roguelikes: Reviewers compare the game to traditional roguelikes such as ToME and Prospector. It is also likened to Dwarf Fortress in roguelike form.

Compared to Star Trek simulator: Reviewers describe the game as giving off 'Retro Star Trek Simulator' vibes. It is frequently compared to Star Trek video games in tone and feel.

Game remains in Early Access: Multiple reviews note the game is still in Early Access, with some mentioning this phase is intended for making huge additions. Players acknowledge it as an active development state.