
Oxygen Not Included is not your typical survival game; it’s a delightful blend of intricate resource management, base-building ingenuity, and surprisingly comedic colony shenanigans. Developed by Klei Entertainment, renowned for their masterful crafting of captivating simulation games (think Don’t Starve!), Oxygen Not Included throws you into the unforgiving depths of an asteroid, tasking you with the survival of a quirky band of duplicants – the intrepid space explorers braving the cosmos.
The premise is simple yet deliciously complex: ensure your duplicants have enough oxygen to breathe, food to eat, and a comfortable (or at least bearable) environment in which to thrive. Sounds straightforward? Think again! This asteroid isn’t your cozy suburban backyard; it’s a volatile playground of geothermal vents spewing superheated steam, pockets of toxic gases threatening to suffocate your colonists, and precious resources scattered across a labyrinthine network of caverns.
Your duplicants, each with unique personalities and quirks (some are prone to fits of existential dread, others develop an unhealthy obsession with slime), must navigate this unforgiving landscape while fulfilling their basic needs. Building a self-sustaining colony requires meticulous planning and execution.
Let’s delve into the core gameplay mechanics:
Resource Management:
This is the lifeblood of your colony. Every resource, from oxygen and water to power and food, needs constant attention.
- Oxygen: The most fundamental requirement for survival. Extracting and purifying gases from geothermal vents or using electrolyzers (which split water into hydrogen and oxygen) are key strategies.
- Water: Essential for drinking and various industrial processes. Locate aquifers or utilize ice for early-game access.
- Food: Start with simple algae farms, but progress to cultivating crops and raising critters like the adorable “Slicksters” (think adorable slime balls that produce food).
Base Building:
Design your colony layout strategically! Consider proximity to resources, ventilation systems for gas flow, and specialized rooms for research, food production, and recreation.
Room Type | Purpose |
---|---|
Oxygen Diffusers | Distribute breathable oxygen throughout the base. |
Hydroponics Farms | Grow various crops for sustenance. |
Ranches | Raise creatures like Slimes or Dressies (adorable but temperamental fluffy creatures) for food and resources. |
Latrines | Hygiene is crucial! Keep your duplicants from succumbing to diseases. |
Technology Research:
Unlock new technologies to refine resource extraction, improve efficiency, and even venture into space exploration.
- Advanced Mining: Extract rare minerals needed for advanced construction and research.
- Algae Terrariums: Grow algae for a reliable early-game food source.
- Rocketry: Launch satellites for interplanetary communication and eventually construct rockets for interstellar expeditions!
Themes:
Beyond the immediate survival challenges, Oxygen Not Included explores intriguing themes:
- Adaptation and Resilience: The game beautifully illustrates the human (or rather, duplicant) spirit of overcoming adversity. Your colony’s success hinges on your ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions and find creative solutions to unexpected problems.
- The Power of Teamwork:
Each duplicant has strengths and weaknesses. Balancing their roles and leveraging their skills is vital for a thriving colony. Remember, even the most neurotic duplicant can contribute something valuable!
Production Features:
Oxygen Not Included boasts stunning 2D graphics that capture the beauty and danger of the asteroid environment. The detailed animations of your duplicants interacting with their surroundings add a delightful touch of personality.
But what truly sets Oxygen Not Included apart is its intricate systems simulation. Every action has consequences, from digging too deep into the ground risking cave-ins to over-watering crops leading to rot and disease. This depth of realism creates an incredibly engaging experience where every decision matters.
Embrace the Chaos! Prepare for unexpected challenges – floods, fires, meteor showers – all thrown your way with delightful glee by the game’s AI.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and embrace the inevitable chaos that arises from managing a colony of quirky space explorers. Learn from your mistakes (often hilarious ones!), adapt your strategies, and celebrate each milestone achieved.
Oxygen Not Included is more than just a survival game; it’s a testament to human ingenuity, adaptability, and the sheer joy of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. So gather your duplicants, strap on those spacesuits, and prepare for an adventure into the heart of space exploration – one hilarious miscalculation at a time!