Autonauts
Release Date: October 17, 2019
Strategy, science fiction, economic, programming, indie games, simulation elements, EA Play, singleplayer
A relaxing hybrid of an economy game with strategy and simulation, in which we set off to conquer space. We select one of the procedurally generated planets and establish a colony there, collecting raw materials and expanding our base. We are assisted by mechanical workers, to whom we can give commands via visual programming language to automate every element of the colony's functioning.
Autonauts is a simulation game with a base building-theme inspired by Factorio, Animal Crossing and the Pikmin series. The title is the new project of Denki Games. The game was created by a team led by Gary Penn, who was involved in the development of Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings as creative director at DMA Design (later Rockstar North). Curve Digital, the publisher of Bomber Crew and Narcos: Rise of the Cartels, is responsible for releasing the title on Steam. For the previous two years the developer had been releasing successive versions of his work on itch.io.
Mechanics
Autonauts is based on a similar formula as Satisfactory or Oxygen Not Included. The game begins with choosing a procedurally-generated planet. After hitting the surface, we obtain resources, construct the first buildings and create the simplest tools. With time, we can create robot-staff, whom we can teach to perform various tasks. This requires them to be given the appropriate commands using a visual programming language, which manifests itself as the game's lightly educational aspect, like in Rabbids Coding.
The gameplay is slow and does not introduce any threats to our colony. Thanks to that, we can focus on automation of subsequent activities and experimenting with seemingly simple, but complex gameplay. In the meantime, we will have to take care of the needs of other living inhabitants, who at some point will start to appear in our colony.
Game modes
Autonauts offers only sandbox gameplay for one player, without a story campaign or multiplayer mode.
Technical aspects
Denki Games used simple three-dimensional graphics of low poly type. Visually, Autonauts brings to mind bricks for children, with a cartoonish environment and characters that emphasize the relaxing character of the game. This is also what the game's calm soundtrack, which evokes loose associations with Animal Crossing, is all about.
Last updated on May 30, 2020
Videos and Screens
[1:04] Autonauts trailer #2
[0:28] Autonauts Piratebots trailer
Autonauts Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows October 17, 2019
Xbox Series X/S June 16, 2022
Switch June 16, 2022
Xbox One June 16, 2022
Developer: Denki
Publisher: Curve Games / Curve Digital
Age restrictions: none
Autonauts System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5 GHz / AMD FX-9370 4.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 750 / Radeon HD 7870 or better, 1 GB HDD, Windows 7/8/8.1/10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X 3.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 970 / 2 GB Radeon R9 270X or better, 1 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit