Oxygen Not Included: A Survival Strategy Game Overview

Released by Klei Entertainment in 2019, Oxygen Not Included is a compelling simulation video game that immerses players in a subterranean world where managing resources effectively is the key to survival. This space-colony simulation game is set in an asteroid, and it challenges players to oversee a group of colonists known as "Duplicants" as they navigate the perils and opportunities of an alien environment.

The Core Gameplay

At its heart, Oxygen Not Included is a strategy-driven survival game that requires players to carefully manage every aspect of their colony’s development. The game begins with a small group of Duplicants who find themselves stranded in an unexplored asteroid with limited supplies. Players must efficiently allocate resources, plan the colony's layout, manage waste, and ensure that oxygen keeps flowing to keep their Duplicants alive.

The game’s mechanics involve a mix of resource management, construction, and research. Players must decide on the best use of limited resources to expand their colony while maintaining the health and morale of Duplicants. The game’s 2D style is not only aesthetically pleasing but also adds a layer of strategy, as players have to consider vertical and horizontal space when constructing their colony.

One of the critical aspects of Oxygen Not Included is its fluid and gas simulation system. Players must harness natural resources such as water and geysers, transform them into usable forms, and manage the oxygen distribution throughout their colony. The game requires players to be strategic in the placement of ventilation systems to provide a continuous supply of oxygen to all areas, while avoiding the potentially deadly build-up of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.

The Challenges and Dangers

As the game progresses, new challenges emerge that test the player’s ability to adapt their strategies. From balancing temperature control to managing electrical grids and dealing with unexpected emergencies like food shortages or disease outbreaks, every decision can have significant repercussions for the colony's survival. The environment is procedurally generated, providing a unique combination of resources and obstacles in every playthrough, which significantly enhances the game's replayability.

Players must also consider the psychological needs of their Duplicants, as the game simulates stress levels among the colonists. A Duplicant's stress can affect its performance and the well-being of the entire colony. Stress management is thus a crucial component of gameplay, requiring players to create comfortable living conditions and perhaps even leisure facilities to boost morale and productivity.

One of the joys of Oxygen Not Included is the intricate interplay of its systems. A minor change in one aspect of the operation can cascade through other systems, leading to a chain reaction of failures or — conversely — brilliant successes. This complexity provides a deep and rewarding challenge for players as they strive to create a sustainable and thriving colony.

Community and Updates

Since its release, Oxygen Not Included has built a robust community of players who share strategies, mods, and gameplay experiences. The developers at Klei Entertainment continue to support the game with regular updates and enhancements, ensuring that the game stays fresh and exciting. The modding community also plays a vital role, offering a wide range of mods that allow players to tweak aspects of the game or add entirely new elements, giving players even more control over their gameplay experience.

In conclusion, Oxygen Not Included is a thoughtful and engaging game that combines survival elements with intricate strategy, challenging players to think critically and manage complex systems. Its unique mechanics, along with its compelling blend of strategy and resource management, make it a standout title in the world of simulation games.