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Reviews

The Crust – Early Access Review

"The Crust" combines factory and colony management on the Moon, featuring unique dual-environment building and complex resource systems in a challenging early access game.

In the future, the Moon has become a vital part of Earth’s resource and production chain. This is where “The Crust” by VEOM Studio begins. As a player, you’re equipped with advanced construction drones and extra resources to get started. Here’s my review based on few hours with the game.

Gameplay

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“The Crust” stands out because it allows building both on the Moon’s surface and in its underground caves. This dual-environment setup adds variety and complexity. Surface buildings include landing pads and large vehicle construction factories, while underground structures house colonists and workers. This combination of factory and colony management is unique; not all factories are automated, requiring human workers for certain tasks and research.

Early Game and Resource Management

The early game is all about preparation. After setting up basic production, the first story mission arrives, introducing your first batch of people. This moment is both exciting and daunting. You have a few months of in-game time to prepare, but with limited building options and large research trees, it can feel overwhelming. The hidden nature of the tech trees makes planning difficult, as you can’t see what lies ahead, unlike the visible yet unselectable build menu items.

User Interface and Controls

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The game’s UI is clean and user-friendly. A handy right-click menu for common actions like power poles, conveyors, mining, and salvaging is a standout feature. This menu closes automatically when you move the mouse away, which I found very intuitive. However, I hope the developers will expand this feature to include the build menu, making it even more efficient.

Power and CPU Management

Power management in “The Crust” is crucial due to the Moon’s slow day-night cycle, which lasts just over four weeks. Initially, you rely on solar power, making energy storage essential to survive the long nights. Planning is key; if the power goes out, so do water and air systems, affecting your colonists.

CPU capacity is another critical factor. Automation requires CPU power, and expanding your base means adding more CPU cores. Upgraded buildings use CPU more efficiently, adding a layer of strategy to your expansion plans.

Market and Economic System

The game includes a market system where you can buy and sell resources. Belts, drones, and power lines are purchased with credits rather than crafted from resources. This economic aspect adds another layer of complexity. You can also fulfill contracts from other companies or governments for specific items, sometimes earning more than by simply selling them. Credits are also used to hire more workers as your factory grows.

Development and Bugs

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As with any early access game, bugs are to be expected. I encountered a fair share, especially with the priority system. Drones, essential for tasks like picking up items and repairing buildings, often didn’t prioritize tasks as needed. This could be frustrating, sometimes making it quicker to destroy and rebuild structures rather than wait for repairs. However, the developers were responsive, addressing issues and squashing bugs regularly.

Despite these issues, “The Crust” shows great promise. The game was funded on Kickstarter and has a clear roadmap extending into 2025, suggesting ongoing improvements and additions.

Verdict?

“The Crust” is shaping up to be an engaging and complex game that blends elements of factory and colony management uniquely. The dual-environment setup, strategic power and CPU management, and an intricate market system provide depth and variety. While the game is still rough around the edges, particularly with bugs and the priority system, the developers’ responsiveness is a positive sign.

I recommend giving “The Crust” a try, especially if you enjoy games that mix factory building with colony management. However, it might be worth waiting a week or so after launch for a smoother experience as the developers continue to refine the game.

The Crust: Overall, "The Crust" offers quite interesting gameplay experience that’s worth trying out, provided you're prepared for the bugs that come with early access state of the game. Tom Henry

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2024-07-19T11:37:18+0000

About the author

Tom Henry

I worked as a PM in video games, now I'm trying some new things.