Satisfactory Is
My interest in Satisfactory probably came largely from playing Subnautica, even if the former is much more focused on building and tech advancement. When it was released (into early access) on Epic Game Store, well, I was disappointed and blew it off. Now it's been over a year, the exclusivity is expired, more updates have been released, though it's still in early access. With a slot opened in my gaming interests, I begrudgingly gave it a shot in spite of that last point.
On the up side, it scratches the building and development itch pretty well, which is what I expected and wanted from it. There is some sense of exploration that comes from pushing into new biomes. The 3D/FP view is more comfortable and appealing to me than something like Factorio (which I haven't mustered enough interest to try). Setting up an automated manufacturing line can be pretty rewarding. It entertained me for enough hours to be worth the money before I came to the end of the currently-available advancement. Even at that, there are things I have unlocked, but not really used - I didn't see the need to set up a train or automated truck route when I could string conveyor belts to get things where I wanted and the nuclear-based power options seem too troublesome at this point.
It could really use something more, though. There are some dangerous animals and hazards like gas clouds and radiation in areas, but that's it as far as threats. There's no "survival" aspect and food-type items are just to recover health. Though there are places to explore, there are no ruins or puzzles to unravel. There's no narrative arc save building things to send up a space tether to unlock the ability to build new things. Building for its own sake can be interesting for a while, but the game could be better with other things interwoven. Since it's still early access, that could theoretically change yet, but it doesn't really feel like there will be much of that.
So... Satisfactory is exactly what it claims to be: a building game that is satisfactory. Maybe there will be a time it transcends that and I'll revisit it.
On the up side, it scratches the building and development itch pretty well, which is what I expected and wanted from it. There is some sense of exploration that comes from pushing into new biomes. The 3D/FP view is more comfortable and appealing to me than something like Factorio (which I haven't mustered enough interest to try). Setting up an automated manufacturing line can be pretty rewarding. It entertained me for enough hours to be worth the money before I came to the end of the currently-available advancement. Even at that, there are things I have unlocked, but not really used - I didn't see the need to set up a train or automated truck route when I could string conveyor belts to get things where I wanted and the nuclear-based power options seem too troublesome at this point.
It could really use something more, though. There are some dangerous animals and hazards like gas clouds and radiation in areas, but that's it as far as threats. There's no "survival" aspect and food-type items are just to recover health. Though there are places to explore, there are no ruins or puzzles to unravel. There's no narrative arc save building things to send up a space tether to unlock the ability to build new things. Building for its own sake can be interesting for a while, but the game could be better with other things interwoven. Since it's still early access, that could theoretically change yet, but it doesn't really feel like there will be much of that.
So... Satisfactory is exactly what it claims to be: a building game that is satisfactory. Maybe there will be a time it transcends that and I'll revisit it.
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