"ASTRONEER" is full-fledged but cute looking, so sandbox beginners can enjoy it [Overseas game masterpiece guide]
Introduction to overseas game masterpieces corner where the writer who loves overseas games introduces titles that he actually played and liked. This time, we will take up the PS4 / Switch software "ASTRONEER" released on January 13th from PLAYISM.
This work is a sandbox adventure where the main character who came to an unknown star system explores the planet. Players build bases of activity by collecting resources and setting up production facilities, and proceed to explore planets. Characters and objects look cute like figures attached to toy blocks. The game itself isn't complicated, but it's serious.
By the way, the early access version of this work was released on Xbox One and Windows in 2016. Since then, it has had a fairly long history, with repeated improvements and an official release overseas in 2019. I have played the early access version on Xbox One, but I felt that the game design is now quite sophisticated because it has been in development for a long time while releasing the software to players.
We will introduce good sandbox games based on the overseas PS4 version, where time will melt as you play.
Interesting unique construction & terrain change system
First, in this work, you will collect resources around the landing site to create 3D printer facilities and tools. The facilities and items you create, as well as the hero's backpack, have sockets with red borders.
In addition, the power required to operate the facility can be transmitted by connecting the cable attached to the platform (base) of the facility to the power generation facility.
This system, which can be said to be unique to "ASTRONEER", impresses the player with the figurine-like world view of the character's toy, and I felt that it expresses the management of items and facilities in an easy-to-understand manner.
In addition, the important point of this work is the "terrain tool" used by the main character. Like a giant vacuum cleaner, this equipment sucks up dirt and digs into terrain. The resources of this work are not only on the ground, but are buried underground in caves and mountainous areas, and you have to dig the ground to collect them.
By equipping this equipment with a "small canister" that collects dug earth and sand, it is possible to pile up soil and flatten the ground in addition to digging. With these features, you can cross bridges across valley terrain to move to the other side, or ramp down to underground caverns to safely descend.
Using the terrain tools, the system that changes the terrain into an easy-to-use shape is profound, and I think it is a very flexible system that can be used in any direction according to the player's ideas.
Exploration elements with a good balance between development and collection
One of the appeals of "ASTRONEER" is that, for a sandbox game, development progresses at a good pace. In this work, you can unlock new facilities and items with points called "Bytes", and proceed with production and development with resources that can be collected in various places.
Bytes can be obtained from "research items" and "research samples" found during exploration. Research resources can be obtained along with resources by exploring, so as long as the desired materials can be obtained, development will not stop, and the player will not have to waste time waiting.
There are seven planets in the world of ASTRONEER, each with its own unique resource reserves. Interplanetary travel is unavoidable during development. In this work, interplanetary travel is required at a relatively early timing.
The game progresses seamlessly while the shuttle is built, launched, and moved between planets, so it's nice to enjoy a little space travel feeling. The process of landing on an unknown planet, searching for the desired resource, and returning is quite tense and fulfilling.
At first, you can build a "small shuttle" that only the main character can ride, but as development progresses, it will be possible to build a larger shuttle that can fly around the base facility.
A field where you can fully enjoy the romance of the universe
You can't miss the colorful fields as well as the objects. There are seven large and small planets, all of which are fairly large, and in addition to resources and research items, various objects are scattered about.
Among the objects, there are treasure chest-like existences that can be opened by applying voltage or throwing in specific resources. Even if you colonize this star system, there are only things that stir the imagination of the player, such as the wreckage of things that failed.
These are not just backgrounds, but they also have a proper use, such as scrapping wreckage and using it for trade.
In addition, the planets that appear do not have the oxygen that the main character needs to breathe. If the hero runs out of oxygen in the suit, for example by leaving the oxygen supply base, there is a danger of suffocation.
Players will set up relay rods called "tethers" to extend the oxygen and power supply network, and create vehicles with oxygen supply equipment to expand their range of action. The feeling of expanding this range is also the fun of this work.
Full tutorials for beginners!
Speaking of sandbox games, you may get the impression that there is little guidance on what to do in the early stages due to the high degree of freedom.
This work has a tutorial "Mission Log" on what to do after landing on the first planet, partly because of the early access. If you complete the items displayed in the mission log in order, you should know what the player should do in the game.
In addition, you will receive new facilities and items as rewards for each item.
Also, there is a "quick help" in the menu, where you can check basic operations, survival knowledge, each planet and the resources that can be collected, so if there is something you do not understand, you should check it.
If you purchase the package version of this work, you will receive a full-color 32-page “adventure guidebook” as a first-time bonus.
It's not just for those who are uneasy about the tutorial provided in the game. I can't.
As a sandbox game, content that is easy to recommend for beginners
"ASTRONEER" that we have introduced so far. At first, you may be confused by the unique operation feeling of using the L2 button to move the cursor and the R2 button to select, but I felt that it was just a matter of getting used to it.
Those who are interested may have already touched it, but if you like sandbox games, it's the content of Strike, and if you're new to this genre or have been frustrated with other games, it's a great place to re-challenge. I think it's also perfect for If you feel drawn to the design of characters and facilities, I definitely want you to give it a try.