Deep and innovative space survival simulation experience. Build your station, manage your crew and explore the harsh environment of Io, the innermost moon of Jupiter. Are you brave enough to survive?
Developer: Supercube
Platforms: Steam
Links: Website, Discord
Modes: Singleplayer
Release Date: Jan 20, 2023
Status: Early Access
- Start with three different characters chosen randomly among a pool of 15. Adapt to their strengths and weaknesses and use everything they have to survive.
- Produce Materials, build modules and engineering systems, craft wearable equipment, and make food. Utilize the game’s advanced health system to monitor everyone carefully to keep them alive.
- Volcanos, seismic activity, and magnetic storms will constantly pressure your crew. Anticipate and adapt. Your life depends on it.
- Board a rover or a flying drone and venture out to gather precious resources in the various biomes of Io. Explore the land and collect important scientific data to accomplish your mission. (Vehicles pending on roadmap)
- Multiple winning conditions and endings. Play again and again, take advantage of upgrades, learn the best strategies for survival, and master all of Io’s unforgiving elements.
The survival elements in Pioneers are relatively standard for the society survival subgenre. Safeguard and heal your crewmembers while maintaining their essential requirements of food and oxygen. Environmental hazards, resource management & scarcity round out the mechanics.
Buoyed by my- well, I hesitate to say success, so instead, I'll say "enjoyment"- of titles like Frostpunk and Endzone, I decided to give Pioneers a try back when the demo was accessible. Remember that my time in the demo was not without bugs & the demo gameplay only showcased a small portion of content. I expect the game to improve as the developers push updates. The developers posted a roadmap showcasing new content coming this year. Quarter 1 of 2023 has been entirely devoted to balancing and bug fixes, which will likely solve most of the criticism against the game.
Pioneers is a micromanagement & multitasking game, even with such a tiny starter crew. There's also a puzzle-like aspect - multiple restarts (read; you fail) may be necessary as you learn the ropes, understand the resources required, and do better without killing off your crewmembers. Folks with experience with the mechanics of similar society survival titles may have an easier time onboarding to the gameplay style required here. If you are one of these learned society folk, you may be better served by avoiding this title until there's more content/depth, or at the very least, purchase it on sale to avoid feeling like you got screwed. Speaking of the price! My honest criticism of the game is that they came out of the gate at the $29.99 price tag.
If I pick up the full game at any point, I'll update this review with my thoughts!
Game Notes
- The developers describe the game as a blend of multiple genres. Elements from RTS (base building and resource management), RPG (crew management, XP, equipment), and adventure games (storyline, exploration)
Website Changelog
- 3/14/23- Changelog added.
ASKA