Info about Interplanetary: Enhanced Edition:

Official game description:
**Interplanetary is a turn-based strategic artillery game on a cosmic scale. Develop your home planet and use massive barrages to wage war on a galactic battlefield.**  
It's an arms race with each planet developing increasingly powerful weapons. Gigantic railgun batteries are the backbone of any interplanetary arsenal, but the cunning use of missiles and precision lasers may just hold the key to victory. Strategic build patterns, upgrades and defense structures might keep your vital installations standing long enough to give you an edge, but it's only a matter of time until all but one will fall.  
Sometimes, your greatest foe is the planetary system itself! Don't let the unpredictable gravitational changes get the better of you—observe your surroundings, use them to your advantage, and blast your enemies back to the Stone Age!
Key Features
------------
● Challenge your friends in hotseat or online matches, or fight skirmishes against the AI.  
● Build and manage your planet's infrastructure.  
● Gather resources and decide the most efficient use for them.  
● Research and develop increasingly futuristic technologies.  
● Spy on your enemies to reveal the weak points of their infrastructure.  
● Use your artillery constructions to aim across the planetary system, avoiding other celestial bodies and their gravity.  
● Fire your railguns, missiles and beam weapons to annihilate the enemy and claim the planetary system for your civilization!
Why So Enhanced?
----------------
_Interplanetary: Enhanced Edition, is a revised version of the original Interplanetary.  
The no longer supported original is included in the Enhanced Edition for free, for the purposes of historical preservation and (hopefully) flattering comparison.  
The Enhanced Edition features include: Online AI Bots, Elliptic Orbits, Quick Targeting Mode, New Buildings, rebalancing and general fixes and improvements across the board._

Release date: Aug 2, 2017

Categories: Turn-based Strategy, Artillery Gameplay, Space Simulation, Realistic Physics Simulation, Base Building, Resource Management, Hotseat Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $4.99 - $9.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews show that the game has positive design and replayability comments, but several users say it is too shallow or short to justify the full price. A $14.99 price is explicitly called way overpriced, while value is repeatedly framed around sale or discount prices such as $2 and under £3. One Chinese review adds that the original price may be a bit expensive but a discount purchase is acceptable. This suggests the community fair base-game price is above the deepest sale price but clearly below $14.99, clustering roughly in the $5-$10 range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 3.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: 6.0h
  - Reasoning: The review reports typical matches lasting two to four hours, so a representative gameCompletion for a full match is about 3 hours. A reported two-hour play session supports sessionLength of about 2 hours. The 1v1 AI report says that after four hours more than half of the planet's limited resources were gone and that running out is the endgame; together with a reported 6-hour match, this suggests endgame arrival around 6 hours. No story or campaign completion is described, so storyCompletion is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: 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.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Playing with friends
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - 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
  - Conditions: Playing with friends rather than AI; Access to multiplayer lobbies or a dedicated group; Tolerance for a learning curve; Reading the short tutorial; Using mods; Multiplayer save/load and bots enabled; Public lobby availability; Early intel building
- Player Archetypes:
  - Social Multiplayer Party Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Shared social fun and chaotic group matches with friends
    - Playstyle: Hotseat or online lobby multiplayer with a group of friends, often casually
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Competitive PvP Strategist (sale)
    - Motivation: Winning balanced head-to-head duels against human opponents
    - Playstyle: Focused competitive 1v1 online matches, evaluating balance and comeback potential
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Solo Single-Player Tactician (sale)
    - Motivation: Mastering tech trees and resource efficiency in solo play
    - Playstyle: Single-player matches against AI, optimizing builds and tech investment
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Artillery Genre Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Reliving classic artillery-duel strategy with modern systems
    - Playstyle: Aggressive turn-based missile and laser combat, hiding cities and chasing trickshots
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Scorched Earth; Worms


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:
- Intuitive detailed UI (weight 0.11): 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 (weight 0.11): 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 (weight 0.08): 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 (weight 0.08): 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 (weight 0.08): The game presents itself as a simple strategy game but hides a lot of complexity. This accessible depth appeals to players.
- Extremely polished (weight 0.08): Reviewers note that the game is extremely polished and well-presented. This level of polish enhances the overall experience.
- Atmospheric visuals and UI (weight 0.08): Beautiful shading, colors, and UI create a strong atmosphere for a fun but challenging game. The visual design is both attractive and immersive.
- Exciting and challenging (weight 0.08): The game is described as exciting and challenging, as well as fun but also challenging. It strikes a good balance between enjoyment and difficulty.
- Amazing multiplayer setup (weight 0.08): The multiplayer is described as amazing with a simple setup, and it promises great fun. This ease of access contributes to the game's social appeal.
- Worms-like feel (weight 0.08): The game is described as fantastic with a Worms-like feel, and it reminded some players of Worms. This comparison highlights its artillery-style gameplay.
- Hotseat multiplayer support (weight 0.08): The inclusion of hotseat multiplayer with turns is appreciated. Players can enjoy local turn-based matches.
- Unique and good (weight 0.08): Players find the game pretty good and quite unique. Its distinctiveness stands out as a positive trait.
- Surprisingly fun (weight 0.08): Reviewers express that the game is surprisingly fun and very enjoyable. It exceeds initial expectations.
- Super game deserving recognition (weight 0.08): Reviewers call it a super game that deserves to be known. They feel it is underappreciated and worth wider attention.

Common complaints:
- AI aimbot accuracy (weight 0.99): 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 (weight 0.51): 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 (weight 0.47): 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 (weight 0.46): 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 (weight 0.43): 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.
- Unbalanced gameplay (weight 0.41): Balance issues include overpowered superweapons, lasers being the best weapons, and orbital positions affecting defense capabilities. Defensive options are weak compared to offense, and endgame can stalemate.
- Game-breaking bugs (weight 0.4): Critical bugs include damage reflection, buildings disappearing or becoming invisible, graphical glitches erasing all text, and power grid inconsistencies. These bugs severely impact gameplay and can force losses.
- Steep learning curve (weight 0.4): The game has a complex interface and mechanics that are not intuitive, with no interactive tutorial or tooltips. Players must read a detailed encyclopedia or guide, and many still feel confused about core systems.
- Long match duration and slowness (weight 0.38): Matches often last several hours, with turns becoming slow due to many weapons and buildings to manage. The game can become boring toward the end, and the inability to skip shot flight phases extends playtime.
- Missing key features (weight 0.37): The game lacks LAN support, mod support in multiplayer, a replay system, teams option, and territory expansion. There is also no diplomacy or ability to build spaceships for colonization.
- AI unfair advantages (weight 0.25): The AI starts with every tech and infinite resources, and can vaporize players on the second turn. It also has access to information the player does not, making matches feel unfair and frustrating.
- Overpriced and unfinished (weight 0.23): Many players feel the game is overpriced for its content, which feels unfinished and like an early access prototype. It has shallow mechanics and lacks polish.
- AI poor strategic intelligence (weight 0.22): Despite high accuracy, the AI lacks strategic depth, does not develop planets well, and never uses certain weapons like lasers. It becomes tedious and does not scale well between difficulties.
- Graphics and audio simplicity (weight 0.21): Graphics are dated and simple, typical of indie games, with glitches and placeholder UI. Sound and graphics are minimal, and optimization can cause crashes or low FPS.
- Tech tree problems (weight 0.19): The tech tree is basic and unimaginative, causing analysis paralysis. Later techs are not impactful except superweapons, and research feels less important than it should be.
- Resource and economy simplicity (weight 0.14): The economic side is too simple, often reduced to building mines every turn until outpacing the AI. Finite resources lead to slow endgames, and the system can cause stalemates with no clear victor.
- No save or autosave (weight 0.14): The game lacks autosave and online sessions have no saving at all, leading to progress loss on disconnects. Manual saving is the only option, which is inconvenient for long matches.
- No LAN or open lobbies (weight 0.14): There is no LAN capability and no open public online multiplayer, restricting players to private lobbies with friends. This makes finding matches difficult.
- Lack of campaign and story (weight 0.08): There is no campaign mode, story, or slow introduction to gameplay elements. The game feels directionless and lacks narrative context, reducing engagement for some players.
- No mod support (weight 0.08): The game lacks mod support, and mods cannot be used in multiplayer. This limits community creativity and replayability.

Gameplay feedback:
- AI opponents available (weight 0.54): 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 (weight 0.26): 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 (weight 0.24): The game supports online play, allowing matches with friends over the internet, as indicated by clusters mentioning online multiplayer elements.
- Artillery gameplay in space (weight 0.24): 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 (weight 0.22): 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.
- Planet infrastructure building (weight 0.19): Players can construct buildings for power, resources, intelligence, defense, and weapons on their home planet to develop their economy and defenses, as mentioned in multiple clusters.
- Hotseat multiplayer mode (weight 0.19): The game includes a hotseat mode where players can take turns playing on the same device, supported across multiple clusters.
- Tech tree progression (weight 0.17): The game features a technology tree with research choices and progression, allowing players to advance and unlock new capabilities through three directional paths.
- Turn-based strategy in space (weight 0.14): The game is a turn-based strategy set in space, with round-based mechanics and a focus on strategic decision-making.
- Projectile aiming with orbital tracking (weight 0.14): Players must aim projectiles at moving planets, considering orbital paths, and railgun rounds can loop around celestial bodies.
- Resource and economic management (weight 0.14): Players mine resources to build weapons, intelligence structures, research facilities, and defenses, involving economic management and resource allocation.
- Intelligence and counter-intelligence systems (weight 0.13): There is an intelligence system that includes counter-intelligence mechanisms and structures, allowing players to gather intel or disrupt enemy efforts.
- Building placement and connections (weight 0.13): Players can place buildings that require direct or indirect connections to power plants and other buildings, adding a layer of strategic planning.
- City defenses and damage (weight 0.13): Cities and buildings have defenses such as shields and can be damaged, destroyed, and rebuilt during the course of the game.
- Single and multiplayer modes (weight 0.08): The game offers both single-player and online multiplayer modes, providing flexibility for different play preferences.
- Planet management minmaxing (weight 0.08): Players can manage their planets, optimizing resources and infrastructure, often referred to as minmaxing, to gain strategic advantages.
- Research and building queue (weight 0.08): The research system includes a tech tree and a queue for building structures, allowing players to plan their advancement systematically.
- Multiple weapons per turn (weight 0.08): Players can fire different weapon types during a single turn, allowing for tactical combinations and varied attacks.
- Orbital positions affect targeting (weight 0.08): The positions of planets along their orbits influence targeting difficulty and accuracy, adding a dynamic challenge to aiming.
- Matches can be very long (weight 0.07): Game sessions can last several hours, up to around six hours, indicating deep and time-consuming strategic gameplay.

Performance notes:
- Performance issues in late game (weight 0.11): 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 (weight 0.09): 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 (weight 0.08): 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.

Recommendations:
- Best with friends (weight 0.45): 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 (weight 0.32): 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 (weight 0.27): 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 (weight 0.26): 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 (weight 0.2): 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.
- Not recommended (weight 0.2): A number of reviewers give negative recommendations, stating the game is not worth any price or does not work reliably. Some advise keeping hands off.
- Requires time investment (weight 0.13): The game is recommended for those willing to put time into learning it, especially as a missile launching simulation. It can be complicated at first, but the tutorial helps.
- Appeals to specific niches (weight 0.11): The game may appeal to fans of computer billiards, geeks who see the world in geometric equations, or those who want to commit mass genocide with nuclear bombs. It prioritizes gameplay satisfaction over appearance.
- Online community is sparse (weight 0.11): Reviewers note that public games are few and far between, and the online side is largely inactive. This limits the multiplayer experience.
- Positive but reserved (weight 0.09): Some give a tentative or highly conditional recommendation. They suggest it is not bad as a stopgap but have reservations due to broken technologies.
- Targeting system needs fixing (weight 0.08): A specific request is to fix the targeting system for non-laser weapons. This is seen as a necessary improvement for gameplay.
- Watch gameplay before buying (weight 0.08): Some suggest watching YouTube gameplay to determine if the game suits your preferences. This can help set expectations and avoid disappointment.
- Novelty purchase (weight 0.07): Some reviewers consider it worth buying for the novelty factor. It offers a unique experience that can be enjoyable for a short period.
- Mods improve experience (weight 0.05): Using mods is recommended to fix most bugs and add features like six suns. Modded play can enhance the overall experience.
- Fun but short-lived (weight 0.05): Several players find the game fun for a few hours but then it becomes boring. It may not hold long-term interest.
- High frustration tolerance needed (weight 0.04): The game is only recommended for players with high frustration tolerance. It can be challenging and potentially frustrating.
- Potential for better sequel (weight 0.04): There is hope for a more Worms-like sequel. Some players see room for improvement in future iterations.
- English language barrier (weight 0.04): For Korean players, the game is fun but difficult if English is hard. Language can be a barrier to enjoyment.
- Start with easy AI (weight 0.04): Strongly recommend first matches against AI on Easy difficulty. This helps new players learn the game without overwhelming frustration.

Other player notes:
- Low price and good value (weight 0.3): 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 (weight 0.25): 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 (weight 0.22): 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 (weight 0.19): 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 (weight 0.18): 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.
- No tutorial, only encyclopedia (weight 0.15): Reviewers note the absence of an interactive tutorial, with learning instead relying on a detailed in-game encyclopedia. This makes the learning curve steeper.
- Dead online community (weight 0.15): The multiplayer community is reported to be very small or dead, making it hard to find online games. However, AI can fill slots, allowing play against bots.
- Compared to Civilization and 4X (weight 0.13): The game is often compared to Civilization V and the 4X genre, but some note it is not a true 4X game despite resembling one. It is described as a watered-down Civ/4X.
- No saves in multiplayer (weight 0.12): Multiple reviewers complain about the lack of saving in online sessions, with no autosave and only manual saving in singleplayer. This is a significant issue for long matches.
- Lacks Chinese language support (weight 0.11): Some players request Chinese language support, and note that modding for Chinese is possible but requires self-made mods. The game does not officially support Chinese.
- Multiplayer supports 6-8 players (weight 0.11): The game supports up to eight players in multiplayer, including concurrent turns. AI can also fill empty slots.
- Enhanced edition adds content (weight 0.11): The enhanced edition includes reworked systems such as disconnect-reconnect and online AI, plus new weapons and buildings. It is considered better than the original.
- Limited AI scaling (weight 0.11): AI does not scale well, and its accuracy is seen as a perceptive issue rather than imbalance. Players can achieve higher hit-ratios than Easy and sometimes Medium AI.
- Learning takes hours (weight 0.09): Several clusters mention that it takes two to three hours or several hours to learn the game. This is often cited as a barrier for new players.
- No team options in multiplayer (weight 0.08): Reviewers note the absence of a team division option in multiplayer. This limits strategic possibilities for team play.
- Mod support limited and rare (weight 0.07): Mod support is rare and mostly singleplayer, often requiring manual file edits. Some suggest the developer could add official mod support.
- Educational value in astronomy and physics (weight 0.04): The game is noted for its educational value regarding astronomy, physics, and strategic decision-making. This adds an unexpected benefit for players.
- No LAN capability (weight 0.04): Reviewers point out the lack of LAN support, which limits local multiplayer options. This is a drawback for some players.
- Cannot be skipped shot flight (weight 0.04): Players cannot skip the shot flight phase, which can slow down the game. This is a minor annoyance for some.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.23): Players are frustrated by the AI's perfect accuracy and cheating behavior, which makes the game unfairly difficult even on lower difficulties. Additionally, bugs, poor targeting controls, and multiplayer issues compound the frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): Many players feel the game has good concepts but fails to deliver due to shallow mechanics, limited replayability, and technical problems. The barren online community and lack of features like LAN or teams also contribute to the disappointment.
- Fun (weight 0.11): Players find the game fun when playing with friends, especially in multiplayer lobbies, due to its chaotic and tactical turn-based physics gameplay. The simple concept and satisfying destruction elements make it enjoyable.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Players enjoy the strategic depth, building and researching weapons, and the challenge of gravity-based combat. The multiplayer experience with friends and the satisfying gameplay loop are key sources of enjoyment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction comes from successfully landing complex shots, developing economies, and winning against AI opponents. The arms race and nuking others provide a sense of accomplishment.
- Boredom (weight 0.05): The game becomes boring after a few hours due to repetitive gameplay and lack of long-term engagement. The early phase without intel building and the endgame after acquiring super weapons are particularly dull.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the strategic depth, educational aspects, and the unique slow-paced gameplay. The developers' support, such as free Enhanced edition and balance improvements, is also valued.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement stems from intense cinematic planet attacks, the originality of the game, and the addictive multiplayer. The feeling of piloting a planet and unleashing powerful weapons creates a thrilling experience.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is derived from successfully calculating complex railgun trajectories, finding a well-designed game, and enjoying satisfying orbital shots with friends. The turn-based combat strategy in space brings delight.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement arises from playing with friends, the destruction of objects, and humorous moments like accidentally hitting your own planet with railguns. Painting frowny faces on enemy planets also adds to the fun.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Players feel confused due to unclear victory conditions, unexpected attacks, and a steep initial learning curve. The skill tree descriptions and overall purpose are also not well explained.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance is caused by graphical glitches, power grid problems, and endgame bugs like disappearing buildings. The AI cheating with stronger weapons early on also irritates players.
- Interest (weight 0.02): The concept of a grand strategy game with mega-weapons and fleets in a solar system intrigues players. The unique turn-based space strategy with gravity mechanics and trying different strategies spark interest.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise comes from the ability to commit to broadsides with railguns in space and the unexpected amount of fun the game provides.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is triggered by the AI performing impossible trick shots and apparent cheating, leading some players to quit the game.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the art, concept, and overall feel of the game, appreciating the experience despite minor issues.
- Mild frustration (weight 0.02): Mild frustration arises from the AI landing ridiculous trick shots and the awkward aiming controls combined with simple graphics.
- Shame (weight 0.01): Shame is felt because the game was left in backlog for too long, and now the online community is no longer active.
- Overwhelm (weight 0.01): The game is overwhelming at the beginning due to complex physical laws, planetary orbits, and precise shot calculations that players must learn.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction is caused by very broken technologies within the game.}