As a fan of post-apocalyptic roguelike games, I was excited to try out Ostranauts, the spacefaring follow-up to the beloved Neo Scavenger. However, upon diving into the Early Access version, I quickly found myself overwhelmed by the complex and fiddly mechanics. The plethora of buttons and displays on the UI left me feeling lost and unsure of how to proceed. It seems that the game’s hardcore noir space-sim concept is a bit too hardcore for me to handle at the moment.
Fortunately, there is a silver lining on the horizon. Kitfox, known for their expertise in making intricate roguelikes more approachable, has taken on the role of publisher for Ostranauts. With a planned 1.0 release set for 2025, there is hope that Kitfox’s involvement will streamline and enhance the user experience, making the game more accessible to players like myself who may have initially found it daunting.
Kitfox’s track record speaks for itself. Their work on the recent Steam release of Dwarf Fortress is a testament to their ability to transform complex games with ASCII art and obtuse controls into more user-friendly experiences, all while preserving the depth and spirit of the original simulations. Additionally, their ongoing efforts on the 1.0 release of Caves Of Qud are proof of their dedication to improving and refining challenging roguelike games.
Although Ostranauts is already ahead of games like Dwarf Fortress and Caves Of Qud in terms of visual clarity and readability, there is still room for improvement in terms of accessibility. While the announcement of Kitfox’s partnership does not explicitly mention efforts to simplify the game, I am optimistic that their involvement will lead to a more user-friendly experience overall. I am eagerly looking forward to revisiting Ostranauts upon its full release, with the hope that the game will become more digestible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
The partnership between Kitfox and the developers of Ostranauts holds promise for the future of the game. With Kitfox’s reputation for making complex games more accessible without sacrificing depth, there is hope that Ostranauts will become a more welcoming and engaging experience for players. As a fan of Neo Scavenger and the potential of Ostranauts, I am excited to see how this collaboration will enhance the game and bring it to new heights of accessibility and enjoyment.