Cognition Method: Initiation
Cognition Method: Initiation is a game similar in nature to other cube-based puzzle games, so if you enjoy them, you will feel right at home here.
The premise of the game is that you are an astronaut investigating a cube-shaped object in space that is being overrun by an infestation of some kind, all the while searching for and being guided by your father, whom was lost in a prior expedition but managed to make contact again as you entered the object. He instructs you to solve puzzles and venture deeper into the facility. Make of that what you will.
– Real player with 1.9 hrs in game
Read More: Best Sci-fi Puzzle Games.
Cognition Methot: Initiation is a demo of a story-driven puzzle game that will come out some time in 2022.
As of right now, you will get no more than 1 hour of gameplay with puzzles that will introduce the core mechanic of altering gravity. This isn’t a negative element since it raises that complex and interesting challenges can be made in its final launch.
The strongest part of the demo is the art direction, not for having hyper-realistic graphics, but for using the light in an inteligent way, having simplistic environments that combine elements of art déco with the style of Escher in contrast with organic shapes.
– Real player with 0.8 hrs in game
Planet Nomads
[May 16, 2019: Now that the game is released, I wanted to edit this review to reflect changes to the game since I originally wrote it,]
Will you enjoy Planet Nomads?
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Yes if you enjoy sandbox building games.
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Yes if you enjoy being creative.
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Yes if you enjoy problem-solving (not fixed puzzles but real creative “how can I put this together” building challenges).
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Yes if you enjoy a beautiful environment.
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Yes if you enjoy a good soundtrack.
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Yes if you enjoy single player.
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Yes if you enjoy being able to customize your game world.
– Real player with 4203.3 hrs in game
Read More: Best Sci-fi Procedural Generation Games.
Gameplay (Short Summary)
Let me start off this review by saying, that the game currently has very little to offer in terms of gameplay if you are not much of a creative person, but if you are, then be prepared to a big grind fest early on in the game until you get the ability to construct auto miners, after that prepare yourself to the next gameplay phase - driving simulator, because resources are scattered across multiple biomes and while driving at max speed from 30-50kmph, it takes a while to get you around the map.
– Real player with 120.7 hrs in game
ThrustLander
I really love Thrustlander. Originally it was a launch title for the much vaunted new Atari VCS Linux Super Console that came out last year. I have to say as soon as I saw it, I wanted it. Though there was nothing else on the VCS for me to buy so I forgot about that idea. Then I noticed it was getting a PC release. I immediately put it in my wishlist. So I am really happy that today I get to play it.
Well I have been playing it for months actually. I was one of the select few who got to play it early. Below is my review of a truly great game. Where other modern retro games fail this one has succeeded.
– Real player with 81.6 hrs in game
Read More: Best Sci-fi Singleplayer Games.
This is a great game, some real retro goodness. It brings back memories of Lunar Lander, Thrust, and Oids. While simple in nature, it gets quite hard later on. The graphics are excellent, the little touches like the landing gear extracting while refueling are top notch. The controls are fluid and responsive, I’m using an xbox one controller for it, and the game is quite fun. If you’re a fan of retro shooters, get this game.
– Real player with 1.9 hrs in game
Agora
Agora™ is an upcoming single player physics FPS from K.O. Koala Entertainment™.
Set in the Parthenon training simulation, players will experience visceral physics-based challenges while they unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding their enlistment into the advanced technology corporation, Agora.
Can You Escape
With elements of automation, puzzling and fun physics based machinery, you will have to figure out how to escape the lab!
Setup automated systems to help you create power cubes and explore the lab! There are cube fusers, teleporters, shooters and much more to explore!
Use your power cubes to buy even more machinery and power-ups to help make even more power cubes, because in this lab, power cubes are everything!
Drone Swarm
Not really swarming with fun…
I like the upgrading of your ship and all the new abilities that you acquire, and I like the graphics too… and the gimmick in the main-menu is fun to play with for all of 2 minutes… but yeah man, other than those points, I just didn’t really find the game to be fun. I mean, it’s certainly not anti-fun or a fun-vampire at all, but I just kinda found myself plodding along doing mission after mission and watching cinematics for a story that I didn’t really care for. But the game is pretty high quality and it certainly has a lot of redeeming qualities so I’ll give it a recommended. I do however think the $25 price tag is slightly too high and the fact that the game has the Deadnuvo virus is almost enough basis on its own to not recommend the game… guess I’m feeling generous today, but seriously: Deadnuvo is a bag of Meekrob..
– Real player with 111.7 hrs in game
**This is an excerpt of my much more detailed review and analysis, that you can find here (ENG & DE) and also as Video below.
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Opinion and conclusion**
Drone Swarm has a very original and unique concept that can be really fun if you like the setting and controls. The drone controls are usually very catchy and the fights are strategically scattered between easy and super tricky. But here you sometimes wonder if you could get some additional explanations.
– Real player with 21.3 hrs in game
Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Tl:Dr Yes, this is a 200 hour+ Don’t recommend review, for reasons discussed below.
Let me get one thing straight, right out of the gate. You may see that I have north of 200 hours in this game. I’ve been playing this game since before we even had the Open shift mode, let alone the story. And,as someone who likes games that are basically just Work, but in game form, (Farming sim and Truck sim, i’m looking at you) the grind that people mention doesn’t bother me. What does bother me, however, is what has happened in recent updates.
– Real player with 229.8 hrs in game
I purchased this game on a whim, and have not been disappointed. I really appreciate all the work that has gone into the game, and am happy with all the updates and fixes that the creators have made. At the time of writing this, I have almost 100 hours played. I have not completed the story, but look forward to tearing apart more ships! If you enjoy realistic simulation / destruction type games, I highly recommend Hardspace Shipbreaker!
Pros:
Tear apart gigantic ships (in space!)
You get space lasers!
– Real player with 104.2 hrs in game
Newtonian Inversion
You have become trapped in space amongst the remnants of a disintegrated starship and must navigate your way to safety.
In this game there are platforms which all have their own gravity. Blue platforms have gravity pulling towards them and red platforms have anti gravity which pushes the player character and some physics objects away from them. The game is played from a 3d third person perspective. The goal is to navigate to the exit teleporter by solving the puzzles involving changing the direction of gravity using switches and a gun which will reverse the direction of gravity when fired at the platform.
- [*change the position of the platforms to effectively clear the levels]
Experimental
About:
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Experimental is an old-school 3D platformer where you have to complete levels in order to unlock new levels. Some levels have different unlock requirements like time, score collected or attempts needed. If you fail to unlock a level you can always try again, but you cannot save the game inside a level. Your best attempts are saved so you can always try to improve your results.
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Use various items scattered throughout the levels. Keys are needed to unlock some doors. Score items are sometimes required to unlock new levels. Weapons are sometimes necessary to survive the onslaught of enemies some of which can respawn just like you. Armor can give you an advantage by making you take less damage or sometimes even nullifying the damage done by weak enemies. Explosives can be used to take quick care of large amount of enemies, but be careful as explosions affect everything around. Some objects can be moved or destroyed when they block your path forward. However, be careful when moving heavy objects as they may end up on top of you.
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Not all robots you encounter are enemies. Some robots can help you by throwing items to you that you wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise. You may even try to give these robots some spare weapons and armor and see what happens.
About workshop:
- If you know how to use Blender, 3ds Max or some other 3d modeling software, you can try to make your own custom levels and if you want to, you can share them with other players through workshop. Custom folder contains 2 example levels made in Blender and 3ds Max that show, how levels for Experimental are made.
Lost Assassin
The year is 3043. You are an AI-AGR (Assassin Grade Robot). Your mothership was destroyed by an unknown force (spoiler: evil robots). Engage in intense platform-shooting action while seeking vengeance, 12 satisfying weapons, powerups, jetpacks, bionic legs and more. Inspired by 80s sci-fi movies and games.
Featuring
-12 primary weapons, grenades and loads of powerups
-Dialogue system. Choices you make affect gameplay
-AI enemies react and respond to your movements
-Mine resources to upgrade your arsenal
-Jetpack and double jump to reach those tough spots
-Cutting edge 80’s inspired sprites with modern lighting effects
-Huge levels to explore with precise controls …and much much more
