Interplanetary: Enhanced Edition Review Summary

Beautiful graphics, an intuitive detailed UI, stable bug-free performance and satisfying railgun shots are undermined by AI aimbot accuracy plus poor targeting and shot feedback.

Intuitive detailed UI: The user interface is praised for being intuitive despite the game's depth and detail. Players find it easy to navigate without feeling overwhelmed.

Beautiful graphics: Many reviewers compliment the game's visuals, describing them as great, beautiful, and pleasant. The graphics contribute positively to the overall experience.

Satisfying railgun shots: Landing a railgun shot across the solar system to hit an enemy planet is described as supremely satisfying and unmatched. This specific gameplay moment creates a strong sense of accomplishment.

Stable and bug-free: Players report that the game is well designed, well tested, and almost completely bug-free. It is praised for being stable and having no real bugs.

Simple yet complex strategy: The game presents itself as a simple strategy game but hides a lot of complexity. This accessible depth appeals to players.

AI aimbot accuracy: The AI consistently lands shots with improbable accuracy even on Easy and Medium, including trick shots and unguided projectiles. Players report AI hitting over 80% accuracy and landing hits without intel, making it feel like cheating.

Poor targeting and shot feedback: The targeting system for non-laser weapons is abysmal, with projectile previews ignoring planetary movement and shots often missing without explanation. Players cannot tell which gun hit or if they destroyed anything.

Interface and UI issues: The UI is clumsy, with difficult-to-read icons, a lack of keybinds, and no controls menu. Specific problems include confusing intel mode, tech screen navigation, and annoying pop-ups.

Multiplayer connectivity issues: Multiplayer frequently disconnects players even with stable internet, breaks as the game progresses, and has no save functionality. The online community is also largely dead, limiting match availability.

Limited replayability: The game becomes repetitive after learning optimal strategies, with no story or campaign mode. The tech tree is unsophisticated and players often pick the same technologies, leading to a lack of variety.

AI opponents available: The game includes AI opponents for single-player matches and practice across multiple difficulty levels, with clusters showing AI can use advanced weapons and has unique accuracy mechanics.

Weapon variety: Various weapons are available, including railguns, lasers, and nuclear missiles, each with their own upgrades and playstyles, as highlighted in clusters focusing on weapon types.

Online multiplayer supported: The game supports online play, allowing matches with friends over the internet, as indicated by clusters mentioning online multiplayer elements.

Artillery gameplay in space: Core gameplay involves shooting artillery-type weapons from planet to planet, with turn-based strategy elements on a cosmic scale, as described in several clusters.

Gravity affects shots: Projectile trajectories are influenced by the gravity of celestial bodies in the solar system, requiring players to account for planetary rotation and gravity wells when aiming.

Performance issues in late game: Simulations slow down after turn 50 when firing over 30 weapons, and the game sometimes crashes or freezes during heavy action. FPS can also drop below 20 occasionally.

Multiplayer connectivity problems: Players report frequent disconnections and kicks during online play, even with stable WiFi. One user was disconnected three times within five hours.

Runs well on low-end hardware: The game is optimized to run smoothly even on very weak computers, often referred to as 'baked potatoes'. It can also achieve over 300 FPS with minimal issues on capable systems.

Best with friends: Many reviewers highlight that the game is most enjoyable when played with a group of friends. It is recommended for lightweight multiplayer sessions and party-like settings, but solo play is discouraged.

Good value on sale: Many players feel the game is worth buying at a discount or under $10, but not at full price. Fair pricing is often cited around $4.99 or less.

Appeals to strategy fans: Reviewers recommend the game to enthusiasts of turn-based strategy, artillery games like Scorched Earth and Worms, and space settings. It is also suggested for those who enjoy strategy beyond simple numbers.

Unsuitable for solo play: Playing alone against the AI is strongly discouraged due to simple or inaccurate AI. The game is not recommended for single-player experiences.

Positive overall recommendation: A recurring sentiment is a clear recommendation for the game, with some reviewers calling it worth discovering. It appeals to those who enjoy strategy and are willing to invest time.

Community fair range: $4.99 - $9.99.

Game completion: 3.0h.

Session length: 2.0h.

Endgame: 6.0h.

The game is most fun with friends, but the fun is short-lived and tends to become stale after a few hours or once powerful weapons remove challenge.

Friction: Boring opening without intel buildings or hit feedback; Several hours needed to learn; AI has ridiculous aim even on Easy or Medium; Bugs and multiplayer instability cause frustration; No saving for multiplayer and no LAN mode; Small or dead public multiplayer pool requires friends.

Unlock drivers: Playing with friends instead of AI; Reading the short tutorial makes the game feel simple; Multiplayer bots and save/load make the game more welcoming; Mods fix most bugs; Building intel provides feedback on hits.

Social Multiplayer Party Player: Hotseat or online lobby multiplayer with a group of friends, often casually. Motivation: Shared social fun and chaotic group matches with friends. Stance: buy.

Competitive PvP Strategist: Focused competitive 1v1 online matches, evaluating balance and comeback potential. Motivation: Winning balanced head-to-head duels against human opponents. Stance: sale.

Solo Single-Player Tactician: Single-player matches against AI, optimizing builds and tech investment. Motivation: Mastering tech trees and resource efficiency in solo play. Stance: sale.

Low price and good value: Many reviewers highlight the game's low price point, with some mentioning it is often on sale for cheap. The low barrier to entry combined with depth is frequently praised.

Comparisons to various other games: Many comparisons are drawn to other games such as DEFCON, Missile Command 3.0, Scorch in space, and The Expanse. These highlight the game's unique blend of genres.

Matches last several hours: Multiple clusters indicate that matches typically take a few hours, with some lasting 3-4 hours or even longer with friends. This makes it suitable for dedicated sessions.

Comparisons to Worms and pool: Many reviewers compare the game to Worms and pool, as well as Scorched Earth and other artillery games. It is often described as a cross between Worms and a 4X strategy game.

Enhanced edition free for original owners: Multiple clusters note that the enhanced edition is provided at no cost to those who already owned the original game. This was seen as a generous move by the developers.