Looking for a chill space game with strategy and automation? Astronomics blends mining, bot management, and exploration for a soothing yet engaging experience.
In the world of video games, where action-packed battles and intense esports rule, sometimes you just want something calm and relaxing. That’s where Astronomics comes in. This game mixes the strategy of Factorio with the exploration of No Man’s Sky, but with a much more laid-back vibe.
Thanks to Numizmatic Games, I got the chance to play Astronomics for over 12 hours, diving deep into its world of mining, automation, and space travel.
Here’s my review.
A Simple Journey With Limited Story
Let’s be clear—Astronomics is not about story. The plot is simple: You’re stranded in space and must earn enough money to return to Earth.
In the game’s future world, living on Earth is expensive. You work for Cube Corporation under their AI guide, CUBO, managing your spaceship and a crew of bots to gather resources and reach your goal.
While the game gives you a clear main objective, it lacks side quests. This made the early game feel a little empty at times. However, once I got into the gameplay loop, things became much more exciting.
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Automation That Gets Better Over Time
At first, Astronomics can feel slow and complex, especially for new players unfamiliar with resource management games. But once you understand the mechanics, it becomes engaging and rewarding.
Exploring Asteroids – A Space Invaders Throwback
To gather resources, you must fly to different asteroids and land on them. Instead of a simple travel mechanic, the developers turned this into a mini-game where you navigate obstacles before landing.
It reminded me of classic arcade games like Space Invaders. While it adds a fun challenge, it sometimes feels a bit repetitive since there’s no real danger in space.
Bots Do the Hard Work for You
Once you land, your bots do most of the work. You can customize and upgrade them, assigning different tasks like:
- Command Bot – Oversees mining operations.
- Worker Bot – Picks up and transports materials.
- Mining Bot – Mines stronger ores faster.
As you progress, you unlock more powerful bots and automate everything, making mining effortless. The real fun begins once your setup is fully automated!
Upgrading and Resource Management
To improve efficiency, you need better tools and upgrades. You can enhance:
- Bots – Upgrade their speed, power, and abilities.
- Mining Equipment – Unlock stronger tools for faster gathering.
- Resource Collection – Expand your storage and processing speed.
The early game feels slow, but upgrading makes everything faster and smoother. By the time I automated everything, the game became super satisfying.
Defending Against Space Pirates
Although combat isn’t the focus, space pirates will try to steal your resources. Luckily, your bots can fight back!
You can:
- Place Defense Bots to guard your base.
- Equip your Command Bot with stronger weapons.
- Use automated turrets to keep enemies away.
Combat adds some excitement, but it’s not very deep. The real fun comes from building your mining empire and watching it run smoothly.
A Beautiful and Relaxing Space Experience
I was curious about Astronomics mainly because I love space. And while it’s not a high-budget game, it looks and sounds amazing.
The game’s simple, clean art style creates a peaceful atmosphere. Each asteroid has mesmerizing visuals, and the calming soundtrack makes exploring space feel therapeutic.
Even though I started playing casually, I slowly got hooked. The animations, smooth gameplay, and relaxing music made the experience feel euphoric.
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Smooth Performance and Easy Controls
Performance-wise, Astronomics is fantastic.
- Runs smoothly with no lag (even on high settings).
- Works perfectly on Steam Deck, making it a great on-the-go game.
- User-friendly interface, though the camera controls could be better.
The only issue is that the headquarters layout can feel confusing. A better zoom or camera movement would improve navigation.
Final Verdict – Is Astronomics Worth Playing?
Yes! Astronomics is a refreshing space adventure that focuses on mining, automation, and exploration. While most games are filled with action, this one lets you relax and build your own space empire.
It has:
✔ A rewarding gameplay loop once automation kicks in.
✔ Beautiful visuals and calming music for a chill experience.
✔ Smooth performance, even on Steam Deck.
But it also has:
❌ A slow start that may turn off some players.
❌ Limited story and side quests.
❌ Repetitive gameplay until you unlock full automation.
If you enjoy strategic management games or just want a break from high-intensity gaming, Astronomics is worth trying. It’s simple, addictive, and a great way to unwind.
Final Score: 8/10
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