A Bumpy Journey Through Alien Landscapes

TerraTech Worlds sets players loose in a vast alien sandbox laden with crafting and survival mechanics, but will it satisfy fans of the original?

Early Access Review

last updated Jul 29, 2024

While TerraTech Worlds is an ambitious title that lays the groundwork for creative gameplay, it struggles to balance depth with accessibility.

Gameplay: The Art of Construction and Combat

TerraTech Worlds invites players to dive headfirst into its open world, merging construction with survival gameplay. Here, you’ll find yourself crafting a smorgasbord of vehicles and automated bases that serve as both lifelines and creative outlets. However, early impressions reveal an experience bogged down by a steep learning curve. Navigating vehicles and crafting systems initially feels clunky, and player feedback often bemoans the absence of streamlined building mechanics. As you venture deeper into enemy territory, the challenge escalates, with foes popping seemingly out of nowhere, punishing the unprepared and fostering a sense of dread that often exceeds enjoyment.

Audio: Sounds of the Universe

The audio landscape in TerraTech Worlds is a mixed bag, much like its gameplay. While the ambient sounds create an inviting place to explore, the musical score leaves something to be desired. It's functional but lacks the punch to truly captivate players during moments of exhilarating exploration or frantic combat. Instead of a dynamic backdrop, it often feels like a consistent drone that fades into the background of the experience. Thankfully, sound effects like vehicle collisions and weapon fire effectively ground you in the chaotic world, even if the overall auditory experience could use a little extra polish.

Graphics: The Good, The Bad, and The GPU-Burners

TerraTech Worlds boasts vibrant graphics that stand out, especially for an indie title, but therein lies the rub: the game is a resource hog. Users have reported serious performance dips during intense moments—like, drop-to-a-slog levels of dips—that are hard to ignore. To add insult to injury, even powerful setups can struggle to maintain solid frame rates, particularly in combat scenarios or while exploring intricate biomes. The visual elements, albeit stunning, sometimes falter due to these performance issues; an ironic twist for a game that wants to engage players with breathtaking vistas and complex designs. Overall, it's a visual treat if your machine is ready for the challenge.

Interface and User Experience: A Journey of Frustration

Navigating the interface in TerraTech Worlds can be akin to swimming through molasses. While it attempts to be user-friendly, the reality is often a cumbersome trial where controls can feel confusing. Building your tech and base through an intricate menu is sometimes interrupted by awkward camera angles that distract rather than aid, a situation that can lead to disassembly mishaps right when you least expect them. The inconsistency in block connections and placement also contributes to this frustration, bogging down gameplay when it should be exhilarating. In a game focused heavily on building, one would hope the building mechanics would be more refined than an early design draft. Game Cover Art

EARLY ACCESS RATING

64 .95% Developer Payload Studios Publisher 4Divinity, Payload Studios Early Accesss Release Date March 22, 2024

A Game with Potential, but Needs to Iron Out the Wrinkles

While TerraTech Worlds is an ambitious title that lays the groundwork for creative gameplay, it struggles to balance depth with accessibility. The clunky mechanics, frustrating UI, and performance hiccups may still deter many players, especially those who fondly remember the original game. However, with active development and community feedback driving improvements, this game could evolve into a standout experience worth exploring.