Oxygen Not Included is a 2D space colony sim where players manage their crew of duplicants while harvesting resources, researching new technology, and expanding their base in the midst of realistic air, liquid, and electrical simulations.
Challenging Play
Exceptional Learning
Great Graphics/Art
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Story & Themes
Though the graphics and art style are cartoony and humorous, Oxygen Not Included is a seriously deep survival colony sim. Starting with only a handful of duplicants, players must carve out a sprawling base on a 2D planetoid.
Nothing comes easy, as players must manage breathability of their air, produce enough food, clean pollution and waste, regulate temperature, cure disease, research new technology, and search for precious metals. New duplicants can be printed, each with different skills and talents, while a ridiculously huge research tree unlocks advanced systems including robots, sensors, filtration, and mechanized airlocks.
For budding engineers and players who enjoy management simulations and factory production, Oxygen Not Included has a lot to offer, as players eventually build to an impressive array of pipes, wires, and production queues, not to mention efficiently managing their duplicants' needs and work schedules.
Difficulty
As a colony sim, Oxygen Not Included can be a challenging experience. The world is always on, and duplicants are not directly controlled (but can be given priorities and schedules). Players must also gradually manage basic survival needs such as food, air, temperature, sleep, and stress, while building and expanding their base.
The game features two main modes: Survival and No Sweat, the latter which makes duplicants far more durable and easy-going. Furthermore, players can adjust several different parameters when starting a new game, such as disease susceptibility, or the morale of duplicants.
Heads Up!
Violence Duplicants can die through a variety of ways, including asphyxiation, though it's never violent or gory.
Substance Use One of the earliest medical buildings is an apothecary where players can craft rudimentary pills and chewables to help cure disease and stave off infection.
Consumerism Oxygen Not Included features several DLC packs that add new features, biomes, creatures, etc. Players are reminded of these expansions on the main menu.
Conversation Starters
- What technology or systems are you working towards in your current colony?
- How many duplicants are you up to in your colony? Have you lost anyone yet?
- How many colonies have you gone through? Do you like to restart, or continue playing the same one?