Asteroid mining can be quite relaxing, but there’s a relentless clock ticking down.

Introduction

Earth is a great place to live. If you’ve ever wished to call it home, earning a mere 600 million dollars can make it happen.

In Astronomics, currently in early access on Steam, you take on the role of an asteroid miner. Even though the resources you mine can yield high profits for the Cube Corporation, you’ll find yourself only receiving a fraction of the earnings.

Gameplay Mechanics

Mining asteroids provides an engaging experience. You’ll pilot your space freighter to land on passing asteroids and deploy a command bot, which acts like your own avatar. You employ a scanner to uncover valuable resources, utilizing a mining laser to break rock formations, while a gravity tether helps gather materials.

Automation plays a crucial role with the introduction of slow-moving worker bots resembling Roombas. These little helpers collect resources you’ve marked for pickup, thus streamlining your mining experience. However, navigating asteroids can be tricky for these bots, necessitating the setup of cranes on cliffs to assist them.

The Thrill of the Clock

What elevates Astronomics from a laid-back automation simulator to an exciting adventure is the ever-present urgency. Asteroids swiftly move through your designated space, and once they pass out of your claim, they’re effectively gone forever. You must act quickly to set up your equipment and harvest resources efficiently.

Conclusion

As you return to the space station with your haul, you’ll have the option to sell resources for cash to acquire upgrades, invest in your ship’s enhancements, or merely contribute to that hefty $600 million relocation fund.

Enjoy the almost seamless gameplay experience: move between your freighter, shuttle, and asteroids without lengthy loading screens. This continual immersion enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.

Keep an eye out for further developments and improvements, particularly the upcoming Steam Deck compatibility, promised soon in March.