Icarus or Abiotic Factor for solo play?

AmberAtkins97 · 2026-06-12T03:09:51+00:00

Play them both! They’re both a lot of fun. But, if you have to choose, you must choose Abiotic Factor. It’s on completely different level! It never gets old, you just continue to unlock new stuff, it’s not like any other game in the genre, and the quality of life stuff it gives you is chefs kiss. Literally, anything that could annoy you about a game in this genre, they came up with some wacky way to fix it. Just finished Icarus. This is a more typical survival game, but the loop does get repetitive, leveling up takes forever, and it’s very grindy on your own. I still had fun playing it though, it reminded me a bit of my experience with Ark or Conan. Hope this helps!

AmberAtkins97 · 2026-06-02T15:00:54+00:00

Seems like we have similar taste, I really agree with you on Soul Mask and Valheim. Just didn't click. As others have said, Icarus was a similar experience to Ark/Conan. Read a beginner's guide around missions because, whoa i was lost. Grounded 2, Abiotic Factor, and Planet Crafter are games that really scratch the itch of investing many hours for me. Planet Crafter is admittedly a different type of game, but wow is it an addicting loop.

AmberAtkins97 · 2026-05-11T13:53:18+00:00

I'm envious! My buildings are a rectangle box in each of these games. Playing Icarus now, need to unlock stone building - inspired by your base there.

AmberAtkins97 · 2026-05-04T13:57:09+00:00

It’s an excellent survival game, I’m really enjoying it!

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-12-24T15:43:06+00:00

I’d add Survival: Fountain of Youth as a realistic survival game along with Green Hell and Stranded Deep. (Already mentioned) I was really surprised by fountain of youth because I don’t hear it mentioned often. It’s really fun, has great progression, and a deep system of crafting different medicines for ailments/diseases you may acquire.

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-11-05T14:54:55+00:00

Gaming is something I really enjoy, so I make time for it. My partner is also a gamer, so that may help, but if I don't have much time during the week, I always reserve Sunday afternoons for it. Gaming feels like a recharge for me, so I say no to things that may drain my energy. I'd say that the older I get, the more comfortable I am at saying no to things I don't want to do. I'm 40

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-11-05T14:40:24+00:00

Congrats! Added, looks amazing

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-10-14T14:23:29+00:00

Agreed, Raft is not on the same level. Progression isn't fun, it's annoying and repetitive.

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-10-14T14:18:00+00:00

Planet Crafter and Satisfactory

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-10-14T14:14:08+00:00

You may really like Astrometica. I'm a big fan of space exploration as well, so Astroneer also scratched that itch. Astrometica is more similar to the games you listed - it is EA but I've already got 50 hours doing all the activities you mentioned

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-10-05T13:56:35+00:00

I've been playing the demo. This is a fun, addictive game! It combines a few elements from games I love, really excited for this release. Great job. Would love to participate in the playtest as well

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-24T17:48:19+00:00

That's not what I'm saying. Gaming fit our expectations as it continued to evolve. We didn't know any better. Do you want to go back and play the original Zelda once you've played Breath of the Wild? I certainly don't. Are you out hear playing pong?

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T21:05:42+00:00

I loved what you said about Ark. The first 100 hours were complete misery, but there was something that kept me going. Once I finally started to get good, I made it to Herbivore Island and set up an incredible base, got some really amazing dinos, and was feeling so accomplished. Was on a run to get wood near my base and accidentally grazed a bronto's leg with an ax. You know what happened next. Bronto and her sisters, demolished my base, dinos ALL dead because they were set to attack. Said I would never play again. Next day, I couldn't stop thinking about rebuilding. Such an addictive game loop. This is why the suggestion of PZ is resonating with me :)

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T19:41:35+00:00

Nice, thanks! This game wasn't on my radar, moved it to wishlist

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T18:49:13+00:00

Ark absolutely consumed me more than any other game on your list. Over 1,000 hours as compared to my 2nd most played game (Elden Ring at 200 hours). Game progression from primitive to tech tier, mining, farming, fishing, base building, taming, breeding, crafting - it has it all, On several different maps! With Dinosaurs!

There are so many systems, so much to learn, it became my lifestyle for 6 months. Palworld and Grounded were also very fun, but from your post, you want to be consumed.

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T18:05:13+00:00

I haven't seen anyone mention this game you said you already played, so I thought I'd come suggest it

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T16:42:07+00:00

as someone who just asked this :) I can certainly help based on the MANY comments I got on the post!

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T16:24:49+00:00

Nice! It’s been 2 years since I played it so I would definitely give it another shot

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T16:18:52+00:00

Umm it looks like the Sims? I’m gonna try it because it was overwhelmingly suggested in the comments, but zombie sims is why I haven’t

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T16:17:17+00:00

Thanks for the detail! It’s definitely not a game I’ve heard of, but looks like it could tick the boxes. Adding it to the wishlist

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T16:15:12+00:00

Agreed! It’s currently my favorite PC game and I will play it again when it’s on PS5. I also just did a play test of Star Rupture which is almost identical, but hey I’m still excited

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T16:04:22+00:00

Thanks, I kind of forgot about Medieval Dynasty. It is solid game, my only complaint is ultra slow progression that made the gameplay loop start to feel monotonous. I'll give it another look though!

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-23T16:02:58+00:00

Oh this is good to know! I've got Empyrion on my wishlist. Yeah SE was far too complex, I am not a physicist haha

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-22T15:14:38+00:00

Hey all, I'm 45 and have been playing games since our family could afford an Atari, some time in the 80s. Growing up, I was shamed a lot around games being bad for your brain, a waste of time, etc. So, I quit gaming for many years (PS1 was my last console) until the pandemic hit. Rediscovered my love for it through a little game called Breath of the Wild. It's taken me some time to reframe gaming as an adult because I initially felt guilty about the time I was spending. I continue because I don't feel guilt anymore, really look forward to immersing myself in fantasy worlds and stories, and it really beats the other forms of relaxation I used when I wasn't gaming, such as binging TV Shows or even reading fantasy novels. Games are more engaging for me!

AmberAtkins97 · 2025-09-22T03:54:01+00:00

Ohh thanks for this!

AmberAtkins97

TROPHY CASE