Nocty
Member
My first thread, why not dedicate it to one of my favourite games of all time? If you're even remotely interested in management sims, base builders, or games that scratch the "optimizing spaghetti systems" itch, you owe it to yourself to try Oxygen Not Included (ONI). After hundreds of hours across multiple colonies, I feel pretty confident saying this: ONI isn't just a good colony sim—it's one of the most brilliant and rewarding ones ever made.
And aplty timed, because there is a new DLC about to drop in a few days.. the prehistoric planet pack.
There seems to be a distinct lack of content around this game here on GAF indeed, so here we are.
So lets discuss why I think this game is an underrated masterpeice, even today with it's current overwhelmingly positive steam reviews overall... it lies in the Genius of the Systems.. At its core, ONI is a game about survival in a hostile environment. But what makes it a masterpiece is how it simulates that environment with astounding depth. You're not just juggling food and morale..... you're managing thermodynamics, gas diffusion, fluid dynamics, power networks, automation circuits, disease vectors, and interplanetary logistics. And the kicker? It all works. The systems interlock beautifully, and you're constantly discovering new efficiencies or clever tricks hidden in the mechanics.
Want to build a SPOM (self-powered oxygen machine)? Go ahead. Want to set up a rocket-fueled supply chain across space? The infrastructure is there. Want to build a heat-death-proof base with hydrogen cooling and wild critter ranching? That rabbit hole goes deep.
Despite the brain-melting complexity, ONI somehow never loses its charm. Klei's signature art style breathes life into what could be a sterile sim. The duplicants (your colony's denizens) are expressive, clumsy, and full of personality. Watching them stress out because you forgot to build a bathroom—or cheerfully sweep up while standing in toxic slime—never gets old. It's darkly hilarious, but it humanizes the simulation in a way that makes you care about these tiny people.
I love other games like Factorio for example, but they lack the longevity and visual polish that Klei games have. Klei as a developer deserve a lot of praise not only for being a masters of their craft, but constantly adding content that is meaningful and for a reasonable price. Klei Entertainment has a golden track record (Don't Starve, Invisible, Inc., Griftlands) and Oxygen Not Included is arguably their most ambitious project to date. What's incredible is how consistently they've supported it. Even post-1.0, Klei has pushed out significant updates: automation tools, new biomes, new buildings, full space travel, and entire expansion-level features in Spaced Out!. They could've shipped it and moved on. They didn't. That dedication shows.
There's a real "just one more cycle" energy here. Every failure is a chance to learn, and every success feels genuinely earned. ONI doesn't hold your hand, but it gives you the tools to overcome challenges creatively. It's not a game about winning; it's about building something improbable and beautiful that works, and watching it hum with life. The moment when your heat-exchange cooling loop finally stabilizes your food storage is pure dopamine.
I guess the point of this post is really just to harp on about a passion of mine, and to encourage anyone who hasn't played it before to try it out. If you're the kind of gamer who loved Factorio, RimWorld, or even the brutal satisfaction of Dwarf Fortress, Oxygen Not Included deserves a place in your library. It's complex, yes—but it rewards curiosity, experimentation, and resilience like few other games in the genre. Just prepare to have your brain melted (in a good way). ONI is one of those rare games where chaos and control live side by side. It's a playground for mad scientists, a sandbox for engineers, and a sim for storytellers. If you haven't dived into its subterranean depths yet, now's a perfect time.
And aplty timed, because there is a new DLC about to drop in a few days.. the prehistoric planet pack.
There seems to be a distinct lack of content around this game here on GAF indeed, so here we are.
So lets discuss why I think this game is an underrated masterpeice, even today with it's current overwhelmingly positive steam reviews overall... it lies in the Genius of the Systems.. At its core, ONI is a game about survival in a hostile environment. But what makes it a masterpiece is how it simulates that environment with astounding depth. You're not just juggling food and morale..... you're managing thermodynamics, gas diffusion, fluid dynamics, power networks, automation circuits, disease vectors, and interplanetary logistics. And the kicker? It all works. The systems interlock beautifully, and you're constantly discovering new efficiencies or clever tricks hidden in the mechanics.
Want to build a SPOM (self-powered oxygen machine)? Go ahead. Want to set up a rocket-fueled supply chain across space? The infrastructure is there. Want to build a heat-death-proof base with hydrogen cooling and wild critter ranching? That rabbit hole goes deep.
Despite the brain-melting complexity, ONI somehow never loses its charm. Klei's signature art style breathes life into what could be a sterile sim. The duplicants (your colony's denizens) are expressive, clumsy, and full of personality. Watching them stress out because you forgot to build a bathroom—or cheerfully sweep up while standing in toxic slime—never gets old. It's darkly hilarious, but it humanizes the simulation in a way that makes you care about these tiny people.
I love other games like Factorio for example, but they lack the longevity and visual polish that Klei games have. Klei as a developer deserve a lot of praise not only for being a masters of their craft, but constantly adding content that is meaningful and for a reasonable price. Klei Entertainment has a golden track record (Don't Starve, Invisible, Inc., Griftlands) and Oxygen Not Included is arguably their most ambitious project to date. What's incredible is how consistently they've supported it. Even post-1.0, Klei has pushed out significant updates: automation tools, new biomes, new buildings, full space travel, and entire expansion-level features in Spaced Out!. They could've shipped it and moved on. They didn't. That dedication shows.
There's a real "just one more cycle" energy here. Every failure is a chance to learn, and every success feels genuinely earned. ONI doesn't hold your hand, but it gives you the tools to overcome challenges creatively. It's not a game about winning; it's about building something improbable and beautiful that works, and watching it hum with life. The moment when your heat-exchange cooling loop finally stabilizes your food storage is pure dopamine.
I guess the point of this post is really just to harp on about a passion of mine, and to encourage anyone who hasn't played it before to try it out. If you're the kind of gamer who loved Factorio, RimWorld, or even the brutal satisfaction of Dwarf Fortress, Oxygen Not Included deserves a place in your library. It's complex, yes—but it rewards curiosity, experimentation, and resilience like few other games in the genre. Just prepare to have your brain melted (in a good way). ONI is one of those rare games where chaos and control live side by side. It's a playground for mad scientists, a sandbox for engineers, and a sim for storytellers. If you haven't dived into its subterranean depths yet, now's a perfect time.
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