Space Engineers - Buyer's Guide

Embark on a sandbox adventure in Space Engineers, build, explore, and survive in a procedurally-generated universe. Unique building and flying mechanics, but be aware of technical issues and unclear goals.
Fan-art of Space Engineers

Embark on an immersive space adventure in Space Engineers, a sandbox game that lets you build, explore, and survive in a vast, procedurally-generated universe. Construct sprawling space stations, piloting massive ships, and exploring eerie planets, all while navigating the challenges of resource management and PvP combat. Unlock new blueprints, harvest rare resources, and join forces with friends in multiplayer mode to conquer the cosmos. Take the leap and boldly go where no engineer has gone before.

Should I play Space Engineers in 2024?

The good

Space Engineers has been a beloved title among its community for years, particularly appealing to those who relish the idea of a space-themed Minecraft or LEGO sandbox. With a universe that includes planets, moons, asteroids, and random encounters, the sheer scale and scope of the game is staggering. Players can freely switch between Creative Mode and Survival Mode, allowing for endless creativity or more structured gameplay with resources and health mechanics.

One of the standout features is the game’s thriving community. Modders, scripters, and builders continuously contribute to a vast array of mods and custom content, enhancing the game’s longevity and depth. Moreover, the game offers mostly stable multiplayer with both PvE and PvP options and supports crossplay with consoles. The in-depth building mechanics, coupled with the ability to apply custom colors and textures, enable players to construct virtually anything they can imagine.

The bad

However, Space Engineers isn’t without its flaws. The game can be quite daunting for newcomers due to its beginner-unfriendly UI and outdated tutorials. Players often encounter bugs, glitches, and other quirks that can lead to frustrating experiences. In Survival Mode, the game tends to become monotonous after the initial stages, although mods can alleviate this issue. The lack of special points of interest in both Survival and Creative modes can make exploration feel somewhat sparse. Finally, the slow update cadence and increasing focus on paid DLCs, without adding substantial new content, has been a point of criticism among long-time players.

Verdict

Should you buy or play Space Engineers in 2024? Absolutely! 🚀 The game offers an expansive and engaging sandbox universe that will captivate anyone with a spark of creativity. Despite some bugs and the steep learning curve, the rich community content and boundless possibilities make it a worthwhile investment. Whether you’re a seasoned builder or a space enthusiast, Space Engineers is likely to provide hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of enjoyment. Plus, the sense of nostalgia and continuous support from its community make it a game that stands the test of time. So, grab your virtual toolbox and set your creativity loose in the cosmos! 🌌



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In-game Screenshot

Screenshot of Space Engineers

Top image is not real in-game screenshots. Fan-art made by Gamer.se. Some game metadata is coming from RAWG