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- Universal Happymaker
- Universal Happymaker
- Universal Happymaker
- Universal Happymaker
Astronaut: The Best
Released On: Aug 15, 2023
73
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
All Platforms
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
73
71% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
73
71% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Astronaut: The Best isn’t as deep or as varied as it seems at first sight, but it has good core mechanics. And the world it conjures is engaging in its weirdness, despite the relative lack of cohesion that’s evident at certain points in the branching narratives. The game’s presentation will not be for everybody, although it meshes well with both story and mechanics. Constantly playing through the same scenarios to get extra coins that unlock more options can be annoying. I also wanted more time to prepare for some challenges to limit the impact of luck. But the core ideas of Astronaut: The Best are all solid and the universe it conjures mixes weirdness and tough choices in creative ways.
Astronaut: The Best from developer Universal Happymaker is a challenging game that brings so many layers of complication that it can be overwhelming as much as satisfying. The difficulty might catch some gamers off guard, but the humor helps keep the ship together and create a fun experience.
Astronaut: The Best is delightfully odd and defies expectations. Medling strategic management with occult imagery makes it initially interesting. Strapping it to a game of chance and painting the whole thing under some zany presentation seems to work. It won’t challenge you in the same way a true game of skill will, but it’s endearing in a weird sort of way. Certainly, it’s not Kerbals, that’s for sure.
Astronaut: The Best is a challenging space simulator with a dark sense of humour. Sending astronauts with varying personalities to space is a challenge even in the best of times, and you must make tough decisions. The humour keeps the game entertaining as you struggle to grasp the game’s unpredictability. There’s a steep learning curve since unforeseeable events can turn even the greatest successes into colossal failures. But it keeps gameplay fresh and motivates you to learn everything. Soon you will masterfully send crews to space and even achieve objectives, something that continually stays fun even after the story ends.
Through this occult management simulator l was challenged like never before, navigating magic, zany challenges and the offbeat humour that aims to thrill and vex it’s players. Call me a masochist, but I had fun.
I am reminded of Sid Meier’s often repeated quote: “games are a series of interesting decisions.” I never really felt that my decisions were all that interesting in Astronaut: The Best. Either the course of action is fairly obvious, or it’s totally opaque. Click a button, find out what happens next. But then I keep looking at images from the game, which reminds me how consistent the whole experience is. I appreciate the wild swing, but ultimately, I don’t think Astronaut: The Best, is (the best.)
A little too much is left to chance. [Issue #389, p.123]
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Summary Astronaut: The Best is an occult management adventure where people aren't just numbers: they're incompetent screwups. Your duty is to turn them into national heroes, or the government will have you killed.
Platforms:
- PC
Initial Release Date: Aug 15, 2023
Developer:
- Universal Happymaker
Publisher: Universal Happymaker
Genres:
