Oxygen Not Included: A Hilarious Survival Simulator Where Duplicants Face the Ultimate Toilet Challenge!

Stepping into the world of “Oxygen Not Included” (ONI) isn’t your typical foray into space exploration. Forget about laser beams and spaceships – this game plunges you into the claustrophobic, ever-so-slightly absurd reality of managing a colony of lovable, yet perpetually confused, duplicates called Duplicants. Imagine being dropped onto an asteroid teeming with resources, but devoid of even the most basic necessities: breathable air, clean water, and, crucially, functional toilets.

Developed by Klei Entertainment, the masterminds behind other indie gems like “Don’t Starve” and “Mark of the Ninja,” ONI is a masterful blend of resource management, base-building, and scientific discovery. The game throws you into a chaotic loop where your primary objective is to keep your Duplicants alive, which, given their penchant for stumbling into disasters and mysteriously setting things on fire (we’re looking at you, Brutus), proves no mean feat.

A Story Told Through Mishaps and Triumphs

ONI doesn’t boast a traditional narrative arc with cutscenes and dialogue trees. Instead, the story unfolds organically through the triumphs and tribulations of your colony. Every near-death experience, every meticulously engineered oxygen generator humming to life, and every accidental meltdown (which happens more often than you’d like) contributes to the ever-evolving tale of survival.

The game starts with a handful of Duplicants stranded on an asteroid with limited resources. You must guide them through the initial struggle for survival: building basic infrastructure for oxygen production, creating water sources, and finding ways to sustain their food supply. But ONI quickly evolves into something far more complex.

To truly thrive, you’ll need to delve into the intricacies of resource cycles, plumbing systems, and even genetically modifying your Duplicants to unlock new abilities.

The Delicate Dance of Resources: From Water to Power

ONI embraces a realistic approach to resource management, requiring you to carefully balance supply and demand.

Managing these resources effectively becomes a constant juggling act. One moment you might be celebrating the successful launch of your first space elevator, and the next you’re frantically trying to contain a methane explosion caused by an improperly calibrated coal generator. This intricate dance between progress and disaster keeps ONI perpetually engaging.

Duplicants: Quirky Personalities with Strengths and Weaknesses

Each Duplicant boasts unique traits that influence their performance. Some are naturally strong and efficient builders, while others excel in research or have a knack for cooking delicious (and surprisingly non-toxic) meals.

Recognizing these strengths and weaknesses becomes crucial when assigning tasks. Matching the right Duplicant to the job can significantly boost your colony’s efficiency.

Modding: Expanding the Universe of ONI ONI boasts an active modding community that has created a treasure trove of additional content, from new Duplicants and buildings to gameplay tweaks and entirely new challenges. This open-ended nature allows players to tailor their experience to their liking, further extending the already considerable lifespan of this delightful survival simulator.

Final Verdict: A Must-Play for Sandbox Enthusiasts

Oxygen Not Included is more than just a game; it’s an immersive experience that constantly challenges and rewards you. Its charmingly quirky Duplicants, intricate resource management systems, and endless possibilities for exploration and expansion make ONI a true gem in the sandbox genre. Prepare to lose countless hours designing elaborate plumbing networks, experimenting with genetic modifications, and battling against the relentless forces of entropy (and maybe even laughing at your Duplicants’ occasional mishaps along the way).