Oxygen Not Included! A Hilarious Space Colony Survival Sim That Will Test Your Engineering Prowess and Keep You Up All Night

Imagine this: you’re stranded on a distant asteroid, tasked with establishing a self-sustaining colony for a group of quirky Duplicants. Your only resources are limited starting materials and the boundless ingenuity required to overcome unforeseen challenges. Welcome to Oxygen Not Included, a sandbox survival game developed by Klei Entertainment, known for their innovative titles like Don’t Starve and Mark of the Ninja.

At its core, Oxygen Not Included is about managing a complex ecosystem within a confined space. Your Duplicants, adorable little clones with distinct personalities and quirks, need to be fed, housed, and most importantly, supplied with a steady stream of breathable oxygen. This seemingly straightforward requirement quickly evolves into a masterclass in resource management, thermodynamics, and good old-fashioned problem-solving.

The game unfolds on an asteroid teeming with diverse biomes: from frigid ice caves to scorching volcanic regions, each posing unique environmental challenges. To thrive, your colony must adapt to these conditions by utilizing the resources available within each biome.

Mastering the Basics: Oxygen, Food, and Water

Before you can start dreaming of sprawling space farms and complex automation systems, your primary focus will be on fulfilling the three fundamental needs of your Duplicants: oxygen, food, and water. Each resource has its own production chain and requires careful planning.

Oxygen is produced through electrolysis of polluted water (a byproduct of Duplicant respiration) using specialized generators. Food is grown in hydroponics bays, carefully designed to provide optimal conditions for different plant varieties. Water is extracted from the surrounding asteroid via pumps and filters, requiring you to map out efficient plumbing networks.

The early game will likely involve a lot of trial and error as you learn the intricacies of resource management.

• Oxygen: The most critical resource. Oxygen Difluoride, a dangerous byproduct of electrolyzers, needs careful handling.
• Food: Duplicants require a varied diet. Experiment with different crops to keep them happy and healthy.
• Water: Clean water is essential for both Duplicants and plant life. Filtering polluted water can be tricky but rewarding.

Expanding Your Horizons: Research, Automation, and Exploration

Once your colony stabilizes, the real fun begins. Oxygen Not Included encourages players to delve into a comprehensive research tree, unlocking new technologies and building structures that allow for greater efficiency and complexity.

Automated systems are key to long-term success. Conveyor belts transport resources, robots tend to farms and mines, and advanced filtration systems purify water with minimal Duplicant intervention.

Exploring the asteroid reveals hidden chambers filled with valuable resources like coal, iron, copper, and even petroleum. Mining these materials expands your technological capabilities and allows you to construct more elaborate infrastructure.

The Quirks of Your Duplicants: Personalities, Needs, and Stress

Adding another layer of depth to Oxygen Not Included is the diverse cast of Duplicants. Each individual possesses unique traits that affect their work efficiency, morale, and overall behavior. Some are naturally gifted engineers, while others might have a penchant for cooking or even cleaning.

Managing Duplicant stress levels is crucial. Unmet needs, dangerous situations, and even boredom can lead to anxiety and ultimately, mental breakdowns. Addressing these issues through recreational activities, comfortable living spaces, and adequate food variety ensures a happy and productive workforce.

**A Deep Dive into the Mechanics:

Here’s a closer look at some of the key gameplay elements:**

Beyond Survival: The Sandbox Nature of Oxygen Not Included

While the initial challenge lies in survival, Oxygen Not Included truly shines as a sandbox game. There are no strict objectives or time limits. You can choose your own goals: build an elaborate self-sufficient colony, experiment with crazy contraptions, or simply enjoy the intricate web of interconnected systems. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination (and the laws of physics, of course).

A Challenging Yet Rewarding Experience

Oxygen Not Included is not for the faint of heart. It requires patience, meticulous planning, and a willingness to embrace failure as a learning opportunity. But for those who persevere, the rewards are immense. The satisfaction of building a thriving colony from scratch, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles with ingenious solutions, and watching your Duplicants flourish in their quirky, self-contained world is unparalleled. So gather your wits, prepare for sleepless nights, and embark on an unforgettable journey to the stars.