why is this so popular?

[Achillezzz]

It's like no man's sky but with no aliens, no flying ships, limited building options, no other planets etc...

What makes this better?

[Tallowate]

I wouldn't say it's "better". It just chooses to focus on planet based survival (initially), terraforming, and creative building.

[Apocalypse]

The real quality of this game imo is the dopamine drip of addicting progression. Something it does way better than a game like No Man's Sky,
It's imo a game that has to be felt to understand it, plays way better than it looks on stream or sounds on paper.

[Instantaneous Wisdom]

You get to terra-form an entire planet from dust to radiance. That's pretty dang cool.

[wyldfae28]

I think part of the appeal is that it's very chill. In the beginning you have a bit more tension with the whole "don't starve" aspect. And depending on what setting you're playing on I imagine it could be a much more challenging game. I play on relaxed settings because I have enough stress in my life. Lol. But once you are somewhat established, it's a lovely journey of discovery and creation while your planet gradually blossoms from a dead rock into a beautiful paradise designed exclusively by you.

Some people enjoy the creative building, some are into making the numbers rise as fast as possible, everybody is a little different. But by the time I got to the stage where my planet was creating its own life, it was very satisfying. It's not for everyone, but it's far more engaging than you might think.

[cthultystka]

Originally posted by wyldfae28:

I play on relaxed settings because I have enough stress in my life. Lol.

This lol

I haven't played NMS, but in TPC I love to see how the planet changes with each stage and I can say "I did it". And there's always more to do. Plant more trees, more flowers, more frogs and fish, and now mammals.

[RoTru]

1 million times better base building than no man's sky. It's what No Man's Sky base building should be.

[morph113]

I wouldn't compare it to No Man's Sky, there is very little the games have in common. It's more comparable to Subnautica or Breathedge. A game doesn't need a gazillion "different" planets that all end up looking the same in the end.

[PCMcGee]

Also, since no one has tried to "fix bugs" in this one yet, there are likely still efficiencies to be discovered.

[richarduitt]

It's fun.

[maestro]

Originally posted by Achillezzz:

It's like no man's sky but with no aliens, no flying ships, limited building options, no other planets etc...

What makes this better?

Nobody said it is "better".

It's fun, it's good, but most people don't compare it to other games, in fact, a lot of us hate it when you do that because it's not a competition. You like Subnautica or No Man's Sky, go ahead and play those games. We're not trying to "steal" you. Heck, many of us, myself included, play/ed SN and NMS as well.

This game exists on its own merits.

It has a unique gameplay loop, it's relaxing, and it has charm.

[Frisco77]

Don’t want kill or be killed all the time. Need some chill & build for my mental health. Its a Pink Floyd game.

[trevorkrause]

Originally posted by Achillezzz:

It's like no man's sky but with no aliens, no flying ships, limited building options, no other planets etc...

What makes this better?

Elon says yes.

[FallingOut]

Originally posted by Achillezzz:

It's like no man's sky but with no aliens, no flying ships, limited building options, no other planets etc...

What makes this better?

I think it comes down to a simple matter of preference. A lot of people enjoy this game who would not enjoy No Man's Sky. Just like a lot of people like to climb mountains or go bungee jumping whereas other people don't. Asking "why" will probably not lead to a satisfactory answer because people usually can't understand the preferences of others.

In the gaming space it can be very frustrating for players who like to chill playing a game that has satisfying progression but no real danger. Once they find such a game they have to constantly defend it against mainstream players who want to turn it into a "challenging" hardcore game with mobs and monsters, etc. just like almost every other game in the market. Such games are a dime a dozen - there is no shortage of them. But there are very few good games like Planet Crafter where you can enjoy progressing and creating something beautiful without having to constantly battle against enemies.

[trevorkrause]

Originally posted by Achillezzz:

It's like no man's sky but with no aliens, no flying ships, limited building options, no other planets etc...

What makes this better?

Because its the coop subnautica we asked for.

[VaeliusNoctu]

Originally posted by morph113:

I wouldn't compare it to No Man's Sky, there is very little the games have in common. It's more comparable to Subnautica or Breathedge. A game doesn't need a gazillion "different" planets that all end up looking the same in the end.

This. I Playd NMS a lot but NMS get booring after a whyle, Base Building is useless, Planets are RNG Generated and after you see a lot booring too, You have cool Vehikles but no reason to use them, NMS feels more like a walking Simualtor for me after the Story is done and you managed to survive.

In this Game i have a target. Terraforming a Planet and Exploration.
Surviving is only in the first few hours a Problem, good if you ask me i was never a fan from eat/drink/sleep to survive features.
With Building i have a lot fun too. But yes Building is limited.

Terraforming is realy interesting the Story is ok and the Exploration Part is well made too could be improved but its ok.

Originally posted by FallingOut:

...Once they find such a game they have to constantly defend it against mainstream players who want to turn it into a "challenging" hardcore game...

But there are very few good games like Planet Crafter where you can enjoy progressing and creating something beautiful without having to constantly battle against enemies.

+1