Oxygen Not Included is a downloadable game that combines the elements of the genres of economic strategy and survival games. The player’s goal is to manage and expand a space colony on an unspecified planet. The title plays somewhat like Dwarf Fortress or Wiggles. The game was developed by the independent Canadian studio Klei Entertainment, which has also created such hits as Don’t Starve, Mark of the Ninja or Shank. The title release date was May 18, 2017, but the game, being unfinished, entered early access. The devs release frequent updates and patch notes. The game can be run only on PCs with Windows.
How to Download Oxygen Not Included
To download the game, you need a Steam account. To get the game, click on the Download button at the end of the article.
The Storyline
The game gives you the ability to manage a colony of cosmic travelers. You start by choosing three heroes who will start your colony. The game is also a bit like RimWorld. Each of the characters has their own unique characteristics and behaviors. The title reveals only the beginning of the story, the rest has to be written by you. Your actions and decisions will have a direct influence on the fate and the lives of your colonists. You enter the planet through a portal and this is essentially when the real story begins. From that moment on, you are building your base, putting in place all the necessary elements of infrastructure, such as beds or generators of electricity. In addition to expanding your space station, your other task will be to provide water, food and the oxygen for the colonists.
The Game Mechanics
The mechanics in Oxygen Not Included, despite the simplistic looks of the game, are quite intricate. The interface in the game is clear and intuitive. The worlds are generated in a random fashion, as in Don’t Starve, which means that you will never play the same game twice and will never visit the same planet. In order to upgrade your colony, you will need to set up research stations which will help you produce a variety of items and new technologies. At the beginning of the game, your main goal is, however, to supply oxygen to all the chambers in your base. An interesting solution in Oxygen Not Included is the variety of skills and traits of each character. Each one is different and has unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. Therefore, in addition to the economic side of the game and the colony management, you will have to prudently decide how to divide the tasks among the colonists. You will have to optimize the work process and appropriately assign tasks to your people. The characters are autonomous, but important actions can be prioritized.
During the game, you will be able to dig tunnels, produce food, collect resources and develop the technology. Your task will be also to control the quality of water and oxygen. The game simulates the movement of liquids and gases, so providing ventilation and building a sewer can prove crucial for the survival of the colonists.
Oxygen Not Included – the Graphics
Oxygen Not Included is drawn in Tim Burton style similar to the one presented in Don’t Starve. The game is presented in 2D, and the player sees the colony from the side. The game is constantly being developed by the creators, as we can read on their blog.
