The Crust
" Engaging simulation strategy with deep automation and narrative, but plagued by bugs and clunky UI "
The Crust Review
The Crust is a lunar colony base-building and strategy simulation that combines resource management, automation, and narrative decision-making in a sci-fi setting. Players build and maintain a complex Moon base with surface and underground layers, manage colonists, and engage in real-time trading and political intrigue with Earth factions. The game offers a branching storyline that shapes the colony's future, adding replayability and depth.
Visually, it features detailed environments and a crisp UI, with an atmospheric soundtrack praised by many. Gameplay mechanics are ambitious, blending elements reminiscent of Factorio and RimWorld, but with a unique twist. However, the game is still in Early Access and has notable bugs, UI clunkiness, and balance issues that can hinder enjoyment. Despite these flaws, ongoing developer support and updates show promise for its evolution into a polished, rewarding experience for fans of complex management sims.
Highlights
Players praise The Crust's deep and engaging gameplay mechanics, especially its dual-layer base design and automation systems. The storyline and political decision-making add meaningful choices and replayability.
The graphics and UI, while sometimes clunky, are visually appealing with detailed lunar environments and a standout, immersive soundtrack.
The trading system with Earth factions and resource management complexity are also well received, as is the game's atmosphere and sci-fi setting, making it a fresh entry in the genre.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's bugs, particularly drone AI issues that disrupt logistics and crafting. The UI is often described as clunky, unintuitive, and lacking quality-of-life features like design saving or tooltips.
Players also find the research and power systems overly complicated and slow, with balance problems that stall progression. Some feel the colonist mechanics are underdeveloped and lifeless.
Early Access status means frequent crashes and frustrating gameplay loops, with many recommending waiting for further polish before purchase.
Pros
- • Engaging dual-layer base building adds strategic depth to colony management.
- • Branching narrative choices impact storyline and colony development.
- • Detailed lunar environments with crisp UI design enhance immersion.
- • Real-time trading system with Earth factions adds political intrigue.
- • Atmospheric soundtrack praised as a highlight of the game.
- • Complex resource and automation mechanics satisfy management sim fans.
- • Developers actively update and improve the game regularly.
Cons
- • Drone AI bugs cause logistics failures and require frequent restarts.
- • Clunky and unintuitive UI frustrates building and navigation.
- • Lack of quality-of-life features like blueprints and tooltips.
- • Research and power systems overly complicated and slow progression.
- • Colonist mechanics feel shallow and lack meaningful interaction.
- • Frequent crashes, especially after updates, disrupt gameplay.
- • Market and economy systems considered hostile and unbalanced.
Rating Criteria
Automate a lunar base as you become the savior of humanity exploring the future on the moon. Mine, craft, research, and trade resources with Earth in this gripping narrative basebuilder.