Stationeers: Control and Manage a Space Station, Alone or With Friends

Stationeers is a deep space simulation game emphasising realism, complexity, and creativity. Players take on the role of a space engineer tasked with building and managing space stations or planetary outposts. The game focuses on systems-based gameplay, including atmospheric control, power generation, manufacturing, and survival mechanics, providing an open-ended sandbox for ambitious builders and engineers.

Plot and Setting

Stationeers does not feature a traditional narrative but instead provides a sandbox environment set in the vast expanse of space. Players are free to create their own objectives, such as establishing a thriving station, managing life support systems, or experimenting with automation on alien worlds. The game’s setting spans a variety of planets and asteroids, each with unique environmental challenges like extreme temperatures, limited resources, and hostile atmospheres.

Gameplay Mechanics

Base Building: Players construct intricate space stations or planetary bases using modular components, customizing layouts and functionality to suit their goals.
Atmospheric Systems: Managing breathable atmospheres is a key challenge, requiring players to monitor gas composition, pressure, and temperature to ensure survival.
Power Management: Players design and optimize power grids, using solar panels, batteries, and generators to meet the energy demands of their bases.
Manufacturing and Automation: The game features a robust crafting and automation system, allowing players to design conveyor belts, sorters, and machines for resource processing and item creation.
Survival Mechanics: Players must manage their character’s oxygen, food, and health, often in harsh environments where mistakes can have dire consequences.
Cooperative Multiplayer: Up to 16 players can collaborate to tackle complex engineering challenges, combining skills to build and maintain massive stations.

Visuals and Audio

Stationeers features minimalist, utilitarian visuals that prioritize functionality over aesthetic flair. The clean design makes complex systems easy to navigate and understand, while the stark environments reflect the isolation and danger of space exploration. The audio design enhances immersion with ambient sounds like the hum of machinery, the hiss of pressurized air, and the quiet void of space.

Themes

The game explores themes of ingenuity, problem-solving, and human resilience in the face of environmental challenges. It highlights the meticulous nature of engineering and the satisfaction of creating functional systems from scratch. The sandbox design encourages creativity, experimentation, and teamwork, making every accomplishment feel earned.

Have you played Stationeers? What’s your favourite part of it? We’d love to hear from you.

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