Base One

Base One is a sci-fi space simulation game where players build and manage a network of space stations, overseeing construction, crew tasks, and well-being to establish a human presence in space. Combining city-building mechanics with real-time strategy elements, the game challenges players to balance resource management, research, and crew survival in a futuristic setting where humanity seeks a foothold among the stars.

Base One: Review

Introduction

Base One, a space station simulation game released in 2021, ambitiously combines construction simulation, real-time strategy, and RPG elements to create a unique survival experience in the void of space. Its commitment to managing environmental hazards like oxygen and heat across modules adds depth to traditional city-building mechanics. However, the game’s execution has been marred by technical issues and design oversights that prevent it from fully realizing its potential.

Development History & Context

PixelFroze, an indie studio, developed Base One with the vision to create a hard sci-fi base builder that emphasized resource management and crew welfare in space. The game was published by Blowfish Studios, an Australian company known for supporting indie titles. Released during a period when both space exploration games and simulation titles were garnering significant attention, Base One sought to differentiate itself by focusing on the harsh realities of maintaining a space station.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Set in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth is ravaged by a wormhole-related disaster, Base One tasks players with leading the “Solution” program to explore new worlds. The narrative is delivered through campaigns that span multiple episodes, each presenting unique challenges. While the story initially intrigued players with its sci-fi premise, reviews noted that the campaign felt like an extended tutorial and lacked depth, often forcing players into restrictive paths rather than allowing creative solutions.

The game’s themes revolve around survival, resource scarcity, and the psychological impact of isolation. Managing crew morale alongside physical needs adds a layer of complexity, reflecting the harsh realities of space habitation. However, inconsistent pacing and a lack of compelling character development prevent the narrative from resonating deeply with players.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Base One’s core gameplay revolves around constructing and managing a network of space stations. Each module requires careful planning for resource allocation, including power, oxygen, water, and heat. The modular construction system allows for a degree of creativity, but connecting modules and managing their dependencies can be confusing due to an unintuitive UI.

Resource management is key, with players needing to balance consumption against production. The game introduces unique elements like space suits for oxygen-less environments and the need for heat radiators to manage temperature. However, these features sometimes feel more like sources of frustration than meaningful gameplay due to frequent AI pathfinding issues and interface bugs.

The combat system handles external threats like asteroids and pirates, requiring players to build defensive modules. However, reviewers found the combat encounters monotonous and detracting from the core simulation experience.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s setting effectively captures the sterile, stark beauty of space stations. The visual design employs a realistic art style with attention to detail in module interiors. The audio design excels at creating an ambient space environment, with subtle sounds of machinery and alerts contributing to the tense atmosphere.

However, the 2D grid-based construction limits the potential for more complex 3D structures, which some players found restrictive. The overall art quality, while competent, doesn’t push technical boundaries but serves the game’s purpose adequately.

Reception & Legacy

Critical reception for Base One was mixed. Positive aspects highlighted include the unique environmental management mechanics, crew customization, and promising core concepts. However, significant issues with bugs, AI behavior, and an overbearing tutorial mode led to a polarized response.

The game’s legacy is as a niche title in the simulation genre, one that introduced innovative ideas but failed to refine them sufficiently. Modern counterparts like Starbase and Space Haven have built upon the foundation laid by Base One, offering more polished experiences while drawing inspiration from its core concepts.

Conclusion

Base One stands as a commendable yet flawed attempt at reimagining the construction simulation genre in a space setting. Its most lasting contribution lies in introducing environmental survival mechanics that future games have expanded upon. However, technical issues and design missteps ultimately prevent it from achieving the heights of its ambition. For fans of the genre willing to overlook its imperfections, Base One offers a unique experience in space station management, but it serves as a lesson in the importance of polish and player agency for developers of simulation titles.