Lightyear Frontier
" Charming adventure simulation with unique mech farming and co-op, but slow grind and bugs "
Lightyear Frontier Review
Lightyear Frontier initially charmed players with its cozy farming-mech gameplay, exploration, and story-driven experience. However, the recent "Shifting Gears" update drastically changed the game's core mechanics, leading to mixed reactions.
Many players feel the update removed key elements such as the engaging story, charming companion Pip3r, and meaningful exploration, replacing them with a larger but emptier map focused heavily on tedious farming, resource grinding, and survival mechanics like mech fuel and durability. This shift transformed the game from a relaxing, narrative-driven farm sim into a grind-heavy, survival-style experience that some find frustrating and repetitive.
Despite the backlash, some players appreciate the expanded map, improved mech customization, and deeper farming systems, noting the update aligns better with the original marketing and offers rewarding large-scale farming. Legacy version remains available for those preferring the original experience. The developers are encouraged to address pacing, seed production, and quality-of-life issues to restore the game's unique charm.
Highlights
Players praise the game's unique mech-based farming concept and the satisfying mech controls.
The new update introduced a much larger and visually appealing map, which some find exciting to explore.
Mech customization and modular building mechanics have been improved, adding depth and player choice.
The farming system's complexity and crop management offer a challenging and rewarding gameplay loop.
Co-op multiplayer and the game's art style receive positive mentions, contributing to an engaging base-building experience.
Criticisms
The "Shifting Gears" update removed much of the original story, lore, and companion character Pip3r, making the game feel lifeless and cold.
Exploration is tedious due to the enormous map size combined with slow traversal and frequent interruptions like tornadoes and damaging enemies.
Seed extraction and farming mechanics are slow and grindy, forcing players to spend excessive time managing machines rather than exploring.
New systems like mech fuel consumption and equipment durability add frustration without meaningful rewards.
Building mechanics can be clunky, and many players miss the handcrafted, cozy feel of the legacy version.
Several bugs and quality-of-life issues remain, impacting enjoyment.
Pros
- • Unique mech farming gameplay offers a fresh and satisfying experience.
- • Large new map provides extensive areas to explore and expand farms.
- • Improved mech customization allows tailored playstyles and loadouts.
- • Modular building system adds creative base-building options.
- • Challenging farming mechanics promote strategic crop management.
- • Co-op multiplayer enhances social gameplay and collaboration.
- • Visuals and art style are charming and well-executed.
Cons
- • Update removed original story, lore, and companion character Pip3r.
- • Map feels empty and tedious to traverse due to size and slow travel.
- • Seed extraction and farming are slow, grind-heavy, and time-consuming.
- • Mech fuel and durability systems add frustration without clear benefits.
- • New building mechanics can be clunky and unintuitive.
- • Enemies and hazards disrupt gameplay and cause frequent setbacks.
- • Lack of tutorial and unclear progression confuse new players.
Rating Criteria
In Lightyear Frontier you use your powerful trusty mech to farm on a large beautiful alien planet. Settle your homestead, farm and deliver produce to remote colonies, gather and manage resources, build, craft, explore, expand, improve your mech, meet neighbors, and make a place to call your own.