Some Base Building Videogames You Might Have Missed

I'm unemployed and no one is responding to my applications, so while I continue to look for medical writing jobs here's some recent base building games that have kept me sane, on the platform that is keeping me sane. Note that I'm only including full release games in this list--no EA titles, and specifically base building games. Why? Because I like em. That's why. Look, at least it's not a political post.

Forever Skies released to 1.0 in April. It immediately dropped to Mixed reviews on Steam-more on that in a second:

"A first-person survival game set on a post-apocalyptic, ecologically ruined Earth. Play solo or with up to 3 friends as you build, upgrade, and fly a high-tech airship. Scavenge resources, craft tools, and face dangers on the surface as you hunt for a cure to save humanity."

The complaints were mostly that the areas for on foot exploration were identical-- devs did not include any procedural generation so they made 2-3 islands per type and called it a day.

However, they've been releasing tons of patches and have totally redesigned the island generation system (adding procedural generation), so I feel good about recommending it.

My thoughts: beautiful and alien and as far as I know, base building your own blimp hasn't been a thing before. Build a greenhouse and cuddle up with your pet ant. Surprisingly cozy for an apocalypse. Don't fall to your death.

Check it out on steam here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1641960/Forever_Skies/

Cubic Odyssey: released into 1.0 in May.

"Embark on a galactic journey in Cubic Odyssey, an open-world adventure where you explore vibrant planets, craft tools, build vehicles, and fight the Red Darkness. Uncover ancient mysteries, and shape a universe full of life, danger, and limitless possibilities!"

I'm a huge fan of No Man's Sky, and I have a soft spot for Voxel Minecraft-style games. This is quite literally that, no more no less. Build just about anything. Again, devs have been patching like crazy, as a giant procedural galaxy made by an indie company had some bugs here and there.

My thoughts: feels immense, build anything, including your own spaceship like a Lego set. I live in a giant mushroom like a lil gnome. If you like No Man's Sky, definitely check it out here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3400000/Cubic_Odyssey/

Len's Island: Full release in June.

"An open-world survival crafting game for 1–8 players, blending intense dungeon crawling and ARPG combat with peaceful farming and creative building. Take on quests and explore a vast, procedurally-generated world full of danger and discovery."

Very pure survival craft with a focus on action and combat. You get 2 procedural worlds for the price of one with an immense overworld you will need to craft a boat to traverse, and a mirrored underworld you will need to build your way through.

My thoughts: I'm not a huge fan of 3rd person isometric- looking games and I don't play co-op. So I had arguably the worst experience with this one and I still really enjoyed it. The crafting and farming is beautiful, and everything just comes out looking nice. Combat is pretty decent, but it's heavily focused on equipment so you need to continuously explore for resources. Currently a little expensive, maybe wishlist and keep an eye on it. Check it out here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1335830/Lens_Island/

Abiotic Factor: JUST came out of early access. Very polished in EA so full release has been smooth. Devs are very cool.

"Abiotic Factor is a survival crafting experience for 1-6 players set in the depths of an underground research facility. Caught between paranormal containment failure, a military crusade, and chaos from a dozen realms, the world’s greatest minds must survive against the universe’s biggest threats."

Ever wonder what it would have been to just work at Black Mesa while Half- Life went down? This is the game, charming 90s era graphics included. A survival game with all the chunky food and water needs, but in an office/lab setting. Raid water coolers and carry a fridge back to your base while avoiding the horrifying interdimensional THINGS your ethically dubious coworkers accidentally released into the facility. Fight those same THINGS with macguyver'd prison-style weapons. Carve them up and eat them. They're only a LITTLE radioactive. You'll need your strength for your next expedition: the portal into the nightmare town.

My thoughts: this is the game I made this list for. I love it. Constantly surprising, genuinely funny, perfectly absurd. The level design is INCREDIBLY tight- the interconnectedness of the facility makes it feel sprawling while also letting you get home whenever you need. Portal into strange worlds full of valuable loot.

Highly recommend. This will definitely have a cult following down the line. Have I pitched this enough yet? Check it out here, currently on sale.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/427410/Abiotic_Factor/

FYI I have no personal or financial connections to any of these games, although I did get a hefty discount code for Len's Island by being on their publisher's, Fireshine, email list. I just want people to consider enjoying these gems.