Factory-building games have become increasingly common on platforms like Steam, with tons of indie studios hoping to be the next Satisfactory or Factorio. And though reaching the heights of these two titles is no easy task, getting the core factory building and problem-solving loop right — while also doing something original — can be enough to make a splash. For players looking to enter into the trademark automation flow state, but in a fresh sci-fi new setting, Steam’s Starminer is undoubtedly going to be worth a look. Plus, for anyone interested, the wait won’t be long, as its early access debut is imminent.
Steam Users Can Grab This 10/10 Masterpiece for Free on May 27 and Keep It Forever
Steam users will have the opportunity to add a 10/10 masterpiece to their gaming libraries completely free of charge on May 27.
Starminer Features at a Glance
- BUILD your ideal interstellar factory, whether it be a few massive structures or tons of small ships.
- HARVEST asteroids for materials to maintain and upgrade your automation system.
- TRAVEL space sectors through link gates, discovering new modules to research.
- SURVIVE alien attacks by building defenses that protect your fleet in simulated battles.
Design and build a massive interstellar fleet in this simulation sandbox. Strip space of its minerals for profit, but stay alert: your greed attracts the alien. Master deep base-building and deploy warships to protect your empire in immersive real-time space.
Starminer Takes Full Advantage of Its Outer Space Setting
Instead of just providing developer CoolAndGoodGames with a visually pleasing backdrop featuring stars and planets, the outer space setting of Starminer is integral to the gameplay loop of this factory-builder. Sure, all the basics are present — players design their ideal automation setup, balancing requirements like power, tonnage, and size to maximize efficiency — but there are also a few aspects of the game that are a bit more unique and exist purely because of the setting. Specifically, how materials are gathered and the need to protect the floating factory players have assembled.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
EasyMediumHardPermadeath
Starting with material gathering, players will collect the things they need from asteroids, similar to No Man’s Sky. Once the asteroids have been mined for their valuables, players will process that loot, choosing to sell what they’ve obtained or use it to maintain their current build. Additionally, players can send a mercenary fleet on missions to get more materials, and when an entire sector of space feels like it’s been completely drained of materials, players can set up some link gates. Through these gates, they can leap to and from new areas, mining them for their riches and expanding their lineup of high-tech structures.
Unlike more relaxed factory builders on Steam, players aren’t safe from all threats as they do their problem-solving. On top of the usual management and reworking of assets, players will have to keep track of their heat build-up. If their build becomes too big too fast, a heat signature will appear to hostile aliens, who will close in and try to seize everything the player has built. For those seeking to design some huge factories, they’ll have to plan ahead and prepare enough defenses, with the turrets shooting back at any space invaders looking to wreak havoc.
Starminer’s Early Access Launch is the First Step on a Longer Journey
As is basically always the case with early access games on Steam, Starminer will have more content down the road than it does currently. Players can eventually expect more units, construction options, and improved mechanics shaped by player feedback (the price will also increase when the game fully launches to reflect these improvements). That said, though all of its content will be deepened, Starminer still has a lot to offer in its initial early access state. A tutorial, campaign, survival challenge mode, and sandbox mode are all available, giving automation game lovers a few ways to play. Whether players like watching simulated battles between warships and alien fleets, or just enjoy the experience of putting modules together piece by piece, Starminer has them covered.
