Basics - How to play?

[Water]

I recently bought the game, played for about 25 minutes but got lost after scavenging some debris. I feel like the game doesn't do a great job giving you directions or tips on what to do while you're just starting off.

I was wondering if anyone in the discussions could give me some tips or advice: It looks like a fun game. I'm just lost and stuck in progression.

[Geauxboy]

First thing you should do as soon as you initially land (start the game), you look up to see where you are in relation to the stars and which way they are moving (east to west). More importantly, the band of stars. That band is on the equator and you usually land somewhat close to the equator. Additionally, mouseover yourself and you will see a compass at your feet. You may need to move around a bit if the ground is the same color as the compass in order to read it better.

If you get hopelessly lost, get to the equator (the band of stars directly above you) and start running along it until you find home. You can even try to run parallel to the equator in relation to where your base actually is. Is your base north or south of the equator? Plot your course according to that.

Many people have begged for an in game map, but they have yet to do it.

If you decide to go on an extended walkabout, bring tethers and light your way home.

You can also make signs either in the ground or in the air that will tell you which way to go to get home. IE arrows. Beacons next to each sign would help you locate them easier.

EVERYBODY gets lost in the caves once in a while, so best advice is to not go far from the cave opening. Even beacons will be very hard to see if you get too far away from it because the ceiling of the cave will block it.

Speaking of beacons, you can use beacons the same way I suggested using signs made of dirt. Just be sure to lay the beacons down close enough to the previous beacon so you can always see at least one beacon at all times.

[Scrappy]

Geauxboy provides good advice. There are a lot of navigational tricks. You can mark your way temporarily with glowsticks that you can make in your backpack out of organic, especially for the dark and in caves. You can place tethers to mark locations, even if they aren't connected to any power/oxygen. You can use combinations of markers. It helps me to keep notes on my game, including noting the location/direction of markers. Beacons are even visible from orbit.

SESI could have provided more navigational aids. But I suspect they didn't by design. They wanted players to have to use their brains for navigation. I think it reflects the hobby of orienteering.

I have taken this necessity for navigation to a whole new level. I realize that player Water has not yet reached the point where they can do it, but they will soon. Using rover/drill/paver I pave a straight beltway road along the equator linking those gateways. I also pave a polar beltway to link those gateways. I place beacons by the side of those roads. Virtually everywhere on the surface of the planet, I can see at least one of those beacons. I can simply move toward it, which gets me to a road. Then it is easier/faster to navigate anywhere else on the surface.

I do wish that SESI had given us the ability to add text to each beacon.

[OoieGooie]

Originally posted by Water:

... I feel like the game doesn't do a great job giving you directions or tips on what to do while you're just starting off.....

There is no need for any manual these days with all the free info (including youtube) out there. Especially after only playing for 25min. You're being very lazy. The game has been made in a VERY user friendly way. It doesn't get much easier.

Astroneer is a trial and error sandbox. You try stuff and see if it works. If you got lost just start again and try something different. I highly recommend this type of play as the game throws things at you to solve allowing you the freedom to do things your way. If you can't survive for 25min without help you're going to need a lot more later.

You explore how you want.
Research what you want.
Build how you want.
You can literally play how you want. Having someone to tell you how is not recommended.

Some tips are to look at the objects you can research. This will progress your game quicker. Focus on power and research. More research, more you can do.
Don't run off or dig too far. There are ways to do it but its up to you on HOW.

[Starbucaneer]

Have you completed the tutorial??

[JohnnyZerg]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2131038908

[DomDiaemus]

Originally posted by Water:

I feel like the game doesn't do a great job giving you directions

That indeed is true... but also true that once you got lost is when you start exploring... the game doesn't provide you of a map (so memorise your location) and always follow one direction on the compass (mouse over the character)... once you start building roads you would see how easy the game is and how easy to get lost to then find your road that goes around the world.

as a tip build the base close to one of the alien structures (because of their vertical beacon) so it would be easier to stop at some distance unless you gone too far then you may get other structures ;)