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Ostranauts

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2020

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Quick resume

Ostranauts is a hardcore noir space-sim. Manage life aboard your ship, and beware the cost of every decision you make. Scavenge and explore the boneyard. Create, build, and customise your ship. Hire a crew to help but remember, nothing is more certain than death and taxes.

Global score

80/100

Genres

Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Early Access

Pros

  • Deep and immersive hard sci-fi simulation
  • Complex ship building and repair mechanics
  • Engaging survival and resource management
  • Strong emergent storytelling and atmosphere
  • Active developer support and frequent updates

Cons

  • Steep learning curve and complex ui
  • Bugs and occasional game-breaking glitches
  • Limited content and social interaction depth
  • Tedious micromanagement and slow pacing
  • Early access unfinished state

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have high control over ship building, salvaging, and decision making in a complex, open-ended environment."

  • Competence
    5

    "The game demands mastering difficult mechanics like Newtonian flight, ship repair, resource management, and social interactions."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and survival rather than direct competition or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Players report long play sessions, repeated attempts, and strong attachment despite difficulty and bugs."

  • Cooperation
    3

    "Players can recruit and manage crew members, with social dynamics affecting gameplay, though AI can be limited."

  • Creativity
    4

    "Extensive ship customization and building from salvaged parts encourages creative problem solving and design."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Interactions emphasize survival and mutual respect rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism
    5

    "The immersive sci-fi setting and challenging gameplay provide strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and curiosity despite steep learning curve."

  • Experimenting
    5

    "Trial and error, tinkering with ship systems, and learning complex mechanics are core to gameplay."

  • Exploration
    4

    "Players explore derelicts, stations, and outer space, discovering new ships and secrets."

  • Expression
    3

    "Character customization and ship design allow personal expression within game constraints."

  • Fantasy
    2

    "While grounded in hard sci-fi, some supernatural elements (e.g. Meat infestation) appear but can be disabled."

  • Fellowship
    2

    "Some social interaction with NPCs and community engagement, but much gameplay is solo."

  • Growth
    4

    "Players learn complex systems and improve skills over many hours of play."

  • Health
    -5

    "Gameplay is sedentary with no physical activity; survival mechanics focus on character health in space."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires constant attention and micromanagement; players report frustration with AI and task management."

  • Intimacy
    2

    "Social interactions and relationships with NPCs exist but are limited and sometimes awkward."

  • Leadership
    3

    "Players lead and manage crew members, assigning tasks and managing ship operations."

  • Progression
    5

    "Strong focus on acquiring parts, upgrading ships, and improving status through salvaging and trading."

  • Relaxation
    -2

    "Gameplay can be tense and punishing, though some find it rewarding and immersive rather than stressful."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Atmospheric music and art provide sensory enjoyment, though graphics are simple and functional."

  • Status
    1

    "Some recognition through social interactions and crew relationships, but no major social status systems."

  • Story
    3

    "Emergent narrative through gameplay and character interactions, though no overarching plot yet."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Requires planning, problem solving, and managing complex systems under constraints."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Risk of death, police chases, and environmental hazards create suspense and tension."

  • Value
    4

    "Players find the game rewarding for time invested despite bugs and early access status."

  • Violence
    1

    "Some combat and hostile encounters exist but focus is more on survival and repair than destruction."

  • Survival
    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around managing resources and avoiding death in harsh space environments."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026