As a seasoned gamer with five years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Satisfactory has truly come into its own. Five years ago, it was just another indie game we showcased on Shacknews Twitch, but now, it’s a masterpiece ready to be displayed. It’s like watching a pottery piece being taken out of the kiln, rough and unfinished five years ago, but now, polished and beautiful.
Five years ago, Satisfactory was the 11th indie game I showcased on the Shacknews Twitch channel. Back then, it was far from polished and more like a skeletal model compared to its current state. However, I saw immense potential within it that I wanted to see realized. Now, five years later, Coffee Stain Studios is ready to unveil Satisfactory, having meticulously crafted it over this period. I’m thrilled about it! My recent re-entry into the game was everything I had anticipated. Unlike other games that require you to battle hordes of monsters or endure harsh conditions, Satisfactory is a serene industrial simulator where your output mirrors your input.
This planet isn’t going to industrialize itself
At FICSIT, you serve as an operative, responsible for preparing resource-rich, uninhabited planets for industrial use. You select an environment from among four diverse biomes and initiate the construction of an industrial program. The culmination of your efforts is Project Assembly, which constructs an orbital bridge to facilitate off-world transportation of materials. However, reaching this prestigious phase demands extensive time and careful planning.
The game Satisfactory effectively introduces players to its routines in a thorough manner. Newcomers are presented with a comprehensive and detailed tutorial that covers essential skills such as resource gathering, tool fabrication, machinery construction, component manufacturing, and the setup of an automated assembly line. This process not only familiarizes players with the game’s fundamentals but also results in the creation of a basic factory, providing a foundation for future expansion as new tiers of construction and equipment become available. For seasoned players, Satisfactory offers the option to bypass the tutorial and commence at Tier 1 construction with all tutorial-related building permissions and resources unlocked instantly, making it easier for veteran industrialists to jump right back into the action.
New players to Satisfactory might find themselves feeling a bit swamped when they move beyond the tutorial, with a multitude of possibilities laid before them. The unveiling of Tier 1 and Tier 2 construction options introduces a variety of base building elements such as walls, flooring, stairs, watchtowers, along with multi-story conveyor belts for products and vertical/horizontal transfer systems. This array of choices can be quite daunting, making one exclaim, “Well, I guess we’ll just have to give it a try and see what works!” when first encountered.
But that’s the beauty of Satisfactory
As you progress through the tiers and embark on completing Project Assembly in Satisfactory, it transforms into a game where your input determines your output – essentially, you get out what you put in. This game offers an expansive collection of parts that can be creatively arranged in countless configurations, making each player’s factory network unique. By the time players reach Project Assembly, no two factory networks will look identical. The game provides ample opportunities for self-expression, whether it’s a meticulously planned and efficient setup or a chaotic, off-the-cuff design. However, it can also be somewhat intimidating for solo players, especially since there is co-op play available, making it easier to tackle with a friend.
The work Coffee Stain has done on visual design is just splendid as well. The move to Unreal Engine 5 looks like it paid off in great measure. The biomes look beautiful and are relaxing to be surrounded by as you fiddle with your machines or go out for new resources. There’s just enough wildlife about to give the planets some semblance of life and there’s even modes to turn off certain kinds of critters you don’t want to see (the eight-legged kind). The machinery is, of course, the star of the show, and shines with a variety of animations and life as it reflects the sun and throws off sparks left and right. This game is gorgeous and relaxing whether you’re out in the wilds or navigating the hustle and bustle of your industry.
I’ve been delighted to witness or experience the advancements in Satisfactory since I first started playing it. However, it’s not a flawless game. As mentioned earlier, it primarily relies on your strategic thinking and the more you invest, the more you receive. The game doesn’t have a definitive “game over” state (although you can be attacked by creatures, but then you simply respawn and carry on). Essentially, it requires you to keep gathering resources to unlock bigger opportunities.
Additionally, there’s a sense of sluggishness at the start as you wait for some late-game upgrades. For instance, gathering diverse resources and transporting them efficiently is challenging early on due to limited capabilities. Initially, your machines are slow in converting resources into new materials compared to manual processing at your workbench. However, I believe that the eventual benefits of assembly and construction speed boosts balance this out. The initial hours can feel quite laborious as a result, but I consistently found that achieving milestones offered satisfying payoffs in this game.
Nothing like a little strategic automation to start the day
It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness a game I worked on during my initial days at Shacknews reach Version 1.0. I couldn’t be more thrilled for Coffee Stain after their long journey, and it doesn’t hurt that this is an exceptional simulation game, offering a genuine creative sandbox. The open-ended nature of Satisfactory might initially seem daunting due to the lack of guidance, leaving players feeling lost or overwhelmed, especially during resource gathering in the early stages. However, the transformation of a small base into a highly efficient and automated industrial complex over time is an engaging and satisfying experience. If you have friends to join you on this journey, it becomes even more enjoyable.
This assessment is derived from an advance, publisher-supplied PC version of the game. On September 10, 2024, Satisfactory officially launched its Version 1.0 for PC.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-10 18:27