ASTRONEER, the charming and colorful space exploration sandbox, has finally released its first expansion with Glitchwalkers. For years, ASTRONEER has captivated players with its charming visuals, open-ended exploration, and the freedom to build elaborate space bases. Now, with the arrival of its first major expansion, Glitchwalkers, developer System Era Softworks ventures beyond the familiar. Simply put, ASTRONEER: Glitchwalkers_ is better understood as a challenge mode for ASTRONEER than an expansion as we normally understand them. And for that, it’s hard to recommend this for everyone, as it can be too frustrating at times.
Glitchwalkers transports players to Aeoluz, a planet visually stunning yet plagued by a digital blight. This corruption manifests in distorted landscapes, glitching flora, and a limited research catalog. While the vibrant purple plains and towering crystals offer a unique aesthetic, the constant visual glitches quickly lose their initial charm. They become a reminder of the limitations placed upon you, rather than a compelling part of the world itself.
The inability to carry over any progress from the main game. To access Aeoluz, you need to complete a specific mission, but then you have to begin a brand new save file on the new planet. This feels slightly disrespectful to players who have invested significant time and resources in their existing ASTRONEER save. This is in addition to the fact that your main save is locked until the DLC is completed.
The most significant gameplay change in Glitchwalkers is the severely limited research catalog. Gone are the days of casually unlocking every gadget in the game. Instead, you’re presented with a curated selection of tools and forced to improvise with the resources at hand. This approach could have fostered creative problem-solving, but often it feels overly restrictive. Essential tools like the advanced terrain manipulator are missing, making navigation and resource gathering unnecessarily tedious.
The narrative elements introduced in Glitchwalkers are a welcome addition. You’ll uncover the motivations behind a mysterious entity called Blitz by piecing together corrupted messages and interacting with malfunctioning research facilities. However, the story is delivered through bland text logs and lacks the emotional punch to truly engage players. It feels tacked on rather than organically woven into the gameplay.
The puzzles scattered throughout Aeoluz are a bright spot. Some require manipulating the environment with creative thinking, while others involve deciphering glyphs and utilizing specific research items. However, some solutions feel overly reliant on trial-and-error, and the lack of in-game hints can lead to frustrating dead ends.
The biggest disappointment of Glitchwalkers is the lack of true base building. With limited resources and a constant need to stay mobile due to the hostile environment, constructing elaborate bases becomes a chore. The creative freedom that was a core element of the base game is severely hampered. Players who enjoyed building sprawling settlements will find themselves longing for the days on Sylva.
Glitchwalkers is a mixed bag. While the new planet offers a unique setting and the puzzles provide some welcome mental challenges, the restrictive gameplay, repetitive environment, and lack of true base building hold it back. The promise of a narrative arc also falls short.
However, there’s a glimmer of hope. The expansion demonstrates System Era Softworks’ willingness to experiment and expand upon the ASTRONEER formula. Imagine future DLCs that allow you to carry over progress, unlock advanced building options on these new planets, and delve deeper into a more engaging narrative. With some refinements, DLC could become a key component in revitalizing ASTRONEER.
The diverse biomes of Aeoluz offer a mixed bag. While some areas, like the bioluminescent caverns, are genuinely breathtaking, others feel repetitive and lack a sense of wonder. Finding resources can be a chore due to the limited scanner range and the often frustrating terrain. While the expansion encourages exploration, the payoff doesn’t always justify the effort.
My PC Specs:
– Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
– Intel Core i9 13900K @ 5.8GHz
– ASUS ROG RYUJIN II 360 ARGB AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
– G.SKILL TRIDENT Z5 6000MHZ 64GB (32×2) DDR5 RAM
– ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4080 16GB GDDR6X
– WD_BLACK SN850X M.2 (4 TB)
– LG UltraGear 34GP950B-G (21:9 Ultrawide @ 3440×1440)
Glitchwalkers is a decent start for expansions for ASTRONEER. While the puzzles and some aspects of the new world offer a brief diversion, the limitations placed on players and the lack of continuing years of progression will leave many veterans feeling disappointed. There are some fantastic storms to experience in-game, but the truest storm is the one that the player will have to weather as System Era Softworks will need to make to improve Glitchwalkers. ASTRONEER: Glitchwalkers is a difficult expansion, designed for experienced players, and thus makes it hard to recommend fully.
A Steam code was provided by the publisher for review purposes
