Hows the story for a solo player?

[Kasa]

I keep eyeballing this game and although I'm not a fan of some of the more childish aspects (the VA yelling "RAW SCIENCE!") or the concept of "Raw Science" being a resource you collect and a few other aspects, overall the game looks neat.

With that in mind if I was to play this I would be playing by myself as I have no desire to play with other people and I would be playing to enjoy the story.

So under those conditions is the story worth it? Or is it more of a loose place holder to justify building and exploring?

[Suzaku]

The story is good enough and sends a good message, but I feel the focus is more on the gameplay, which is excellent.

[Kasa]

I might give it a try then, some of the game play concepts still bother me but Obsidian have been great story tellers even if their more recent games a a little lack lustre.

[Eightball]

The story is there if you take the time to explore and read/listen (notes and recordings and such to be found), but it is not really a story driven game.

And by story driven I mean progress is gated by the story itself which ultimately leads to more linear games.

As for 'raw science' I will say (no big spoiler) its 'existence' is neatly explained and fits into the story as a whole.

Having a penchant for the survival genre I can say, at least in my case, the game initially might seem a bit towards the 'kiddie' end of the continuum, but it is surprisingly involved and has crafting, exploring and combat (varied enemies/abilities) that can rival many other popular survival games.

Just curious, but what 'other' play concepts concern you?

[Kasa]

Originally posted by Eightball:

The story is there if you take the time to explore and read/listen (notes and recordings and such to be found), but it is not really a story driven game.

And by story driven I mean progress is gated by the story itself which ultimately leads to more linear games.

As for 'raw science' I will say (no big spoiler) its 'existence' is neatly explained and fits into the story as a whole.

Having a penchant for the survival genre I can say, at least in my case, the game initially might seem a bit towards the 'kiddie' end of the continuum, but it is surprisingly involved and has crafting, exploring and combat (varied enemies/abilities) that can rival many other popular survival games.

Just curious, but what 'other' play concepts concern you?

Nothing that detracts from what the game is at it's core. It's the veneer of "kiddie"ness to it, from the VA's to the concept that "raw science" as something that can be picked up and collected to the character designs and naming conventions of the characters other then the children.

It's harmless as it was very specific choices the Devs made that work with the concept of the game (a call back to Honey I shrunk the kids) but ultimately the childlike coating makes it tough for me to find palatable and if what you say is true then the story is not particularly involved or compelling and more of just a gating device.

I'm not SUPER into survival games as I find decorations pointless and tool degradation silly (in the concept that a poor hammer will still probably last you years of improper use) but I occasionally like to build things and I like insects as a whole.

I don't need a game to be grimdark with grizzled old men in a brown decrepit world but having a child yell "Radical!" and hearing a body-less voice shouting "RA-RA-RAW S-S-SCIENCE!" in my ear immediately kills any desire I have to play with the sound on.

Note this is not to detract from the game as a whole, the devs did a good job and the VA's portray their roles well. It's just the kind of style that I don't personally enjoy.

[Suzaku]

Originally posted by Kasa:

I'm not SUPER into survival games as I find decorations pointless and tool degradation silly (in the concept that a poor hammer will still probably last you years of improper use) but I occasionally like to build things and I like insects as a whole.

Decorations in this game contribute to a coziness rating, which provides reduced hunger/thirst drain and steady health regeneration while in your base. Interacting with stuff bugs provides increased loot chance for that bug for 15 minutes, while interacting with a mounted bug head increases damage against that bug for 15 minutes. You can have both of these buffs at the same time.

And in the custom settings you can turn off durability loss, as well as many other options to tweak the game to your liking. I recommend taking a look at them when starting your file.

[Kasa]

That does help, I do like that decorations actually serve a purpose and that durability is optional but more importantly is the story actually engaging?

Or is it more like @Eightball said and it's their if you want it but it's more of a device to gate off advancing to quickly?

[Suzaku]

The story is kind of interesting, but it's pretty much on the back burner the whole time. The game will guide you to certain areas, but you're basically free to explore as much as you want at your own pace.

[Kasa]

So ultimately not worth it for a solo player who is in it for the story.

[Suzaku]

I suppose not, though I can't think of a single survival game where the story was important or the main focus of the game.

[Kasa]

Originally posted by Suzaku:

I suppose not, though I can't think of a single survival game where the story was important or the main focus of the game.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/815370/Green_Hell/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1203620/Enshrouded/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/264710/Subnautica/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/848450/Subnautica_Below_Zero/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/242760/The_Forest/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1326470/Sons_Of_The_Forest/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2436570/DRAGON_QUEST_BUILDERS/

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1072420/DRAGON_QUEST_BUILDERS_2/

Now how much the story is important and or the main focus of the game is very much a subjective opinion but these are games that feature a more prominent story then is typical of this genre.

[Kasa]

If you stretch the survival craft element a bit there are also older games like Dark cloud 1 and 2.

[pcdeltalink]

Originally posted by Kasa:

So ultimately not worth it for a solo player who is in it for the story.

As someone with over 400 hours solo I think it’s great. The story doesn’t really railroad you or really force you to follow it right NOW if you’d rather explore this other area or build up a new area for a base but I prefer that. Sort of like Skyrim, do story now or do your own thing for countless hours. Gives the player more freedom.

I was fairly invested in the story though and really developed an emotional attachment to some of the characters.

[Kasa]

Originally posted by pcdeltalink:

Originally posted by Kasa:

So ultimately not worth it for a solo player who is in it for the story.

As someone with over 400 hours solo I think it’s great. The story doesn’t really railroad you or really force you to follow it right NOW if you’d rather explore this other area or build up a new area for a base but I prefer that. Sort of like Skyrim, do story now or do your own thing for countless hours. Gives the player more freedom.

I was fairly invested in the story though and really developed an emotional attachment to some of the characters.

That doesn't actually sound like the story is particularly compelling then yes?

Skyrims story was always it's absolute weakest aspect, and I imagine if this is in a similar vein then it's not necessarily bad just not particularly interesting.

As has more or less stated, it's THERE if you want it but ultimately just window dressing for the gameplay.

[Eightball]

It is interesting that you included Enshrouded as I found the 'story' in that game thin at best (even given that the game is not complete yet).

With that has a comparison Grounded has a far more developed story.

Subnauatica really does not do story until later in the game, but I will say the 'ending' was, at least to me, a great one.

Below Zero was just, well, not anything to compare to the original.

Grounded really does not lean as heavily into the 'child' thing at all, but it is a 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' in as much as you are in what amounts to be the back yard of an average (sort of) family. And I think many players can relate the that.

If you want a bit more of a story driven game, but one that is still in this genre, you may want to look at something like Bellwright or even Planet Crafter.

[Kasa]

Originally posted by Eightball:

It is interesting that you included Enshrouded as I found the 'story' in that game thin at best (even given that the game is not complete yet).

With that has a comparison Grounded has a far more developed story.

Subnauatica really does not do story until later in the game, but I will say the 'ending' was, at least to me, a great one.

Below Zero was just, well, not anything to compare to the original.

Grounded really does not lean as heavily into the 'child' thing at all, but it is a 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' in as much as you are in what amounts to be the back yard of an average (sort of) family. And I think many players can relate the that.

If you want a bit more of a story driven game, but one that is still in this genre, you may want to look at something like Bellwright or even Planet Crafter.

Ah that's right, I confused bellwright for Enshrouded, that's on me.

I did mention that how centre stage may very based on person. I don't remember planet crafter having much of a story but that was only in EA so it probably has changed and so I'll check it out.