indie game - Mr. Dave Pizza

Grey Block – Indie Spotlight

Posted on October 27, 2022October 30, 2022 by Dave Pizza

Grey Block is a new psychological interactive fiction. This is a story about Theo Church, a young man who is involuntarily committed to a place called the Green Valley Psychiatric Hospital. Within the framework of a mysterious conspiracy, he tries to escape with the help of a hired assassin, who Theo tells a nurse was originally hired to take Theo out but instead rescued him. She is the primary secondary character outside of Theo who provides the information Theo needs to escape Green Valley. Together they navigate the watch of green-lit security camera spotlights, collecting security badges and hacking unattended computers to solve the conspiracy. Will they solve it? I don’t know, but there’s one way to find out: play it.

Note: This game was provided to me with a press copy by Silver Rat Studios, thanks to them!

Platforms: PC (Steam)

Don’t Lose Your Nerve

Honestly, this game has a little potential to be slightly triggering for some folks, but I feel although the context of the story is dark, the mechanics of the game are quite fun. Although categorized under psychological horror pretty easily, the main feature I was focused on was sneaking around which is quite interactive. Theo and Nikki (his aide in escape) use puzzles to escape, starting off with mini-game puzzles like computers and utility access points to divert power and manipulate guards plus cameras.

The Steam page confirms for me my suspicion that the conspiracy aspect of the game goes deep and far. Although I personally hate conspiracy theories in general, it makes for interesting gameplay. It’s also quite the setup for it with Theo and Nikki, who for all I know are part of some sort of massive hallucination. I think perhaps this is more contained in the aspects of the game which I would deem psychological horror. In essence, no matter what the truth is, the game has made escaping it essential!

I found the puzzle involving computers and the electrical box in the intro area to be challenging without overdoing it. I often feel that when it comes to game puzzles, they should always be solvable using less energy than the next step, but there’s a little bit of everything here, even in the puzzle areas.

Grey Block Cameras — Watch out for cameras

Grey Block Puzzle — Watch out for cameras

Features

Escape the hospital by using stealth mechanics to sneak by the staff
Disable environmental obstacles with puzzles and strategy
Get tips on how to progress from your friend
Full 3D environment
Rich story with thrilling mysteries and character development
Do anything to get out!

Check Out Grey Block!

This is a very interesting game. I imagine there aren’t a ton of games out there like this, but it’s a brilliant concept and there is no question about the intrigue of the storyline. Really glad I got to try this because I feel ecstatic about sharing this intelligent and engaging game. Be sure to check out the gameplay video above I made with gameplay from the first area. Once you get some of the details down, you should be on your way!

If you’d like to play Grey Block by Silver Rat Studios, head to the steam link below!

Thank you so much for reading Mr. Dave Pizza, I hope you enjoyed this article, and feel free to look around. And again, thank you to Silver Rat Studios, this is surely a polished game of this nature on the indie scene or otherwise!

(P.S. if you are a dev, I showcase games all the time and would be happy to take a look at your game! Contact Me.)

In evidenza

Terrene: An Evidence of Life Game is Fantastic

Posted on October 21, 2022November 19, 2022 by Dave Pizza

Hey, thanks to JustWall Games for letting me try Terrene: An Evidence of Life. This is an indie open-world space exploration game with some sweet pixel graphics and the types of deep-cut quirks that make me play indies, seriously. I didn’t know what to expect at first, to be honest. I suspected some kind of multi-faceted character system based, but that is only part of it. Actually, there are so many open-ended exploration features that I could see exploring the vastness of space could be relaxing and interesting. If you like games like Starbound or Terraria, be sure to check this out.

Platform: PC (Steam)

Launch and Disembark

Terrene: An Evidence of Life with a pretty simple premise to collect biomatter to make clones on your home planet. You basically have everything you need, and the storyline is not too heavy, so moving into open space from your orbiting ship happens quickly and flawlessly. There is not a vast introduction and the pixel graphics are simple but nice–as in everything you need to see is crisp and rendered on an even color scheme.

I thought the fact you have a fighter jet from the very beginning to be totally unexpected and a nice feature that kind of makes the whole game worth it. Directions of the first mission is simple, just head to the planet in your ship and start collecting. On the way, there’s a round of space fighter combat that’s fluid and totally under your control. And, honestly, I’m not a big mouse and keyboard player, but it was very easy to understand what to do here–just drag your target to enemies!

Features of Terrene: An Evidence of Life Game

So many features, I highly recommend you check out the game’s Steam page if you want to see a full list, but here are some to start with.

An open and generated universe
Various and unique environments
A host of tools and weapons to use and upgrade
Satisfying pixel graphics
Boss fights
A whole slew of extraterrestrial life forms
A vast mining and harvesting system to collect what you need
Tons of exploration under the umbrella of a genuinely unique and humble vision

Final Thoughts

I play games quickly, but sometimes I just want to chill out with something familiar. The way this allows you to explore and doesn’t overwhelm you with glitzy graphics feels so natural. The game is available for purchase, and I think if it’s in your range and genre, check it out. It has a great community to check out, and I highly recommend this title.

If you enjoy reading about content, you’re in the right place, it’s Mr. Dave Pizza. I wrote this article after receiving a free copy, and my thoughts here are my own. Thanks for reading.

DreamCell: Lost in Nightmares First Look

Posted on October 17, 2022October 23, 2022 by Dave Pizza

DreamCell: Lost in Nightmares is a 2D action twin-stick rogue-like that landed on my desk today. I have been hooked on the rogue-like/lite genre quite a bit lately. You may want to navigate to my YouTube channel for proof with the video below. Despite that, games like DreamCell: Lost in Nightmares give enough content to chew on for a regular day’s gaming. The game is currently in a demo stage, scheduled for release on November 25 2022 on Steam. It’s a challenging but ultimately amusing rogue-like that I could see evoking repeatable gameplay. It has challenging but anticipated enemies, and perhaps not just with the weapons available but also a large cast of unlockable and playable main characters with different abilities.

Platform: PC

The developers are Blockcode Games from Croatia. Thank you to them for letting me know about their game.

Features and Notes of DreamCell: Lost in Nightmares

Surprisingly, this modest rogue-like has a whole bunch of interesting features to separate it from some of the other 2D bombardings of your average intro dev projects out there–those are fine too though, guys. There are 50 unique enemies, procedurally generated levels, a whole host of weapons as I mentioned above, character customization, and boss fights.

Oh, and the macabre circus soundtrack is quite perfect as well.

DreamCell: Lost in Nightmares room — Menu

Cool Things About DreamCell: Lost in Nightmares

This game does two things very excellently. One, it evokes the creepiness of games from previous indie eras like World of Goo and the sepia-toned aesthetic of an otherworldly cartoon. Second, it’s kinda cute in a way. In fact, it’s quite tasteful, and despite what I anticipated, this game is actually super polished!

Other Thoughts

If you’re interested in checking out DreamCell: Lost in Nightmares, head to the Steam link below. Last we verified, there is a demo up before the release! If you enjoyed this article, please come back again and subscribe to us on YouTube to show your support.

Thanks for reading Mr. Dave Pizza, see you in the next article.

Stories From Sol: Part 1 – Interactive VN Demo

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2022 by Dave Pizza

Thank you to Space Colony Studios for reaching out to me about this upcoming interactive fiction demo for Stories From Sol: Part 1 Gun-Dog. I’m so excited to tell you all about this new demo. It has touches of retro nostalgia, with a sci-fi storylines, and the beginning of a really good series.

What’s really going on here though is we have a new game entering onto the scene with no background really, although everything about it is seductively brute–it’s worth checking out, hands down. It’s a hard space sci-fi story, a genre not without a plentiful fandom, although this sneak peek led me mostly through sharp comedic timing and even a romantic interest?

Platforms: PC

Genre: Visual Novel/Interactive Fiction

Link: https://space-colony-studios.itch.io/storiesfromsol1

What We Know About Stories From Sol: Part 1 Gun-Dog So Far

The UI and monochrome color pixel interface looks like something from an old DOS game to me, which appears to be correct. Apparently, we’re dealing with a format attuned to a PC-9800, a 1983 Japanese model that runs localized versions of MS-DOS and Windows. Okay, we’re going deep cut here I guess.

Though the sound is sparse in the intro, the sound and music that are there are quite delightful. I enjoyed the smooth pallet of olive green and tinny explosions. As mostly an addendum to my YouTube, I made it through the first few sections of the story, but I liked what I saw.

Story Elements of Stories From Sol

Interactive elements are few at first, but soon your Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? for a PC user interface on the side lights up with new options like the look, move, and use buttons. This makes it easy to interact–using a mouse–with areas of your environment that will light up as you drag over them.

I didn’t experiment with the choice-making in the intro for some reason, I guess because I wanted to progress through as much as I could quickly, but the dialogue is there and there are choices. Choose between a standard answer–or action–or click the ellipsis button below it.

The Gun-Dog is actually the ship in Stories from Sol you are stationed on. It’s rather big, and most (all?) of the story takes place on this ship. You will undoubtedly see just how much you can explore on your first trip to the bridge, where interacting with an old friend unlocks so much potential for more exploration.

This Article is Accompanied by a YouTube Video from the MDP Channel (Subscribe!)

And That’s It

Looks pretty cool. Please note that not only is this a demo, but it also’s part one of the whole story, so if you enjoy it, make the dev know so with a comment on their ItchIO. Or drop by our tweet on Twitter as well.

I hope you enjoyed this commentary. My peers and I are around to help devs like this and share games we think need to be shared, so you’ve come to the right place. Please have a look around, and be sure to come back. Thank you so much for reading https://www.mrdavepizza.com

P.S. Don’t skip out on MDP’s marvelous visual novel section: https://www.mrdavepizza.com/category/game-reviews/visualnovels/

Hayai – The Ronin Score Attack Game (IGC Showcase)

Posted on May 22, 2022October 8, 2022 by Dave Pizza

Hayai is a pretty cool game. I played another game like it recently called Pizza Tactics, but only in the sense that the main mechanic is drawing a path with my mouse. Really though, Hayai is a full-feature game aimed at casual play. Control one of 5 Ronin, and clear hordes of enemies swarming from the sides of the map by dragging a line between the individual enemies in one long swipe. It could double as a mobile game, but I really enjoyed playing it on my computer. A huge cool feature here though, you can actually play this with a drawing tablet if you like! That is a new one for me. I am guilty of saying that I will replay a lot of games that I never do but this one is so easy that I could just open it up and play whenever.

This particular showcase was made possible with a generous showcase copy through the Indie Game Collective and publisher Chaoclypse. The game is only $1.99 on Steam though, so you don’t really need a review key to invest in this one yourself though.

The Aspects of Hayai

Hayai has 5 possible Ronin to select from with individual abilities. Kazuya, Tomoe, and Oda are the default unlocked choices. Two more Ronin can be unlocked with high scores. The game motivates with its straightforward achievements list. I completed the achievements survive and combo-master in my first session, so you can too.

I liked the black, red, and white layout. It felt very classic for this theme. The art style is quick and responsive, with 2D effects that feel like a painting that responds to your input. Even the line you draw between enemies is procedurally animated in a calligraphy-stroke style drawing.

The game is not hard unless you want it to be, but getting to higher levels does require skill. Should you be defeated, start your session over instantly, or hit escape and switch to a different Ronin.

Quick Outline of Features

Mouse-based combat
Achievement system based on technique
Combo gameplay
International leaderboards (a feature which is becoming more common in indies)
3 default Ronin characters, and 2 unlockable characters
Support for drawing tablets (what!)

Final Thoughts on Hayai

It’s a good game, it’s cheap, and it will probably work on any computer. This game is so simple and fun it has the potential to go big. It’s so re-playable, and so easy to start that anybody can play it. Also, note, it is a combat game but it’s not gratuitous or anything; this is an art game mostly.

If you’d like to check this out, head to the Steam link below if you wish. And make sure to watch the video above where I play the game myself!

As usual, thank you so much for visiting my work on MrDavePizza. If you have a game you’d like covered let me know. I’ve got a new space to work on content here, so expect a lot more games soon! Take care.

Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue – With Updates (IGC Showcase)

Posted on May 17, 2022October 5, 2022 by Dave Pizza

The idea behind Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue is in the title, Firegirl. I find myself drawn to this game due to its slight quirk and frank concept. But the game deserves a little more credit than assuming the entire plot is based on a conjunction of the words “fire” and “girl.” Although you are exactly that in the game, Firegirl is the type of game that should have been made, conceptually, at least in the 90s. But three decades later, here it is with a shiny package. Classic nods from many of the old-school NES-style games are here though, and the rest of the characters are brash and slightly exaggerated. I like this a lot.

There’s not a heap of complexity to this platformer, but it is fun, and I’ll run you through some features.

Missions in Firegirl

The idea is simple. You have a water pack and an ax. Break through doors and debris to get through hotels, apartment blocks, forests, and hotels to rescue citizens in the blazing inferno that is on each level. Your water pack knocks down flames and other firey monsters. Importantly, your pack also allows you to blast off into stair wells or collapsed floors to move upward or across gasps. This last feature is pretty darn fun and helps display the innovation of the game.

Firegirl: Hack 'N Slash Chief — Heading In

As you conquer massive fires and rescue citizens, you become eligible for awards and prizes that help you upgrade your fire station or buy new equipment. There’s not a whole lot of pressure to be perfect at this since it is essentially a rogue-like, but I discovered that there were still rewards even for a failed mission.

With the combination of old-school art, mixed with streamlined graphics plus environments, the game feels really sophisticated for an indie. Environments are side-scrolled, but the depth of floors and open spaces creates more of a 2.5-dimensional style.

Clearing the Air

Fire is not necessarily everybody’s favorite topic, but lots of games are based on things that are just as real as anything else but don’t get a lot of coverage. Actually, this spin on the heroic platformer theme works for me, because I’ve always respected firefighters and have honestly wanted a game like this.

The game is really quick to progress through, but the gameplay is endless. Missions are procedurally generated but have a lot of character from what I have observed in other screenshots. I think the missions are fun and dynamic.

The game is in a mid-range category of indie releases, but with the quality of the art and the continued support, it is priced for value.

Where to get Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue

I have a link to the Steam Store page below here. If you like the game, maybe leave a positive review. If you wanted to buy this game but weren’t sure, I’m here to confirm this game is ready to go.

Thanks for reading Mr. Dave Pizza. Please explore as much as you want and come back!

Haiku the Robot – First Impressions (IGC Showcase)

Posted on May 14, 2022October 5, 2022 by Dave Pizza

Yep, Haiku the Robot is about robots, although you’re more likely to catch on fire before most of its poetics! It’s a dystopic pixel platformer with a variety of routes to navigate through. The tunnels are left from the aftermath of an apocalyptic turn. It does have somewhat of a narrative for the first minute. Mostly, you’ll be in the heat of battle. You are thrown into the general theme of trying to find your way around immediately. Thankfully, maps are available.

Collect bits and bobbles to fund your robot hack and slash lifestyle. This game is as challenging as platformers like Dadish 2; although the mechanical obstacles feel more like being in a large machine. Enemies across each level wander, bounce, and get into your business. There are secrets and puzzles everywhere. If you take a wrong turn, well, you’ll end up back at your checkpoint. These checkpoints are around enough to challenge you, in the general areas of your exploration. Let me give you somewhat of a mental map for this.

Playing Haiku the Robot

The theme of Haiku the Robot runs a bit melancholic. The pixel art effects and the grim backgrounds are smoldering and dark. Luckily, the game is packed with hard-boiled noir robots who vend goods or present challenges–and generally add the only social elements of the game. And the areas you make your way through contain secrets. New areas can have treasures of monetary value and levers that with a slash of a sword unlock even more areas.

The game is kind of weirdly cute yet dystopic in a style that’s approximate to that feeling you get when you see a Jack-o-lantern out of season. Haiku the Robot is so fleshed out though and with several levels in the robot world of Arcadia, you get your money’s worth.

There is also a feature that I wasn’t able to experiment with before I got wiped during my gameplay session at the boss while recording, and that is the chip system. With the chip system, you can customize your gameplay. I guess this is sort of like the skill tree system of various RPGs and could be an interesting resource for later moments in the game.

Yet, even without a play style upgrade, the hack and slash plus movement mechanics of Haiku are fluid and smooth. I never felt that I was not in total control of my character’s fate, leading to some fail-defying heroics as I tried to reach the first boss.

Out Now on Steam!

Based on the level of engagement I gave the game and for its return, I should honestly be thankful. Most enjoyable platformers find their merit in the flow of the gameplay. I feel strength when playing this game. The way it will challenge you to use experience with these types of games is a thoroughly rewarding experience. Perhaps, as the yin to the yang of its theme, the balance of dark and light is potentially the zen quality origin that makes playing Haiku what it is.

Haiku the Robot is out now on Steam for $19.99. I have to note that I received a promo copy of this as a publisher showcase with the Indie Game Collective. Make sure to check them out and please enjoy the content here on Mr. Dave Pizza where I have covered many indie games of all genres and categories.

Thanks again for reading. Enjoy your games!

Vesper: Zero Light Edition – Nintendo Switch (IGC Showcase)

Posted on May 13, 2022October 5, 2022 by Dave Pizza

Vesper: Zero Light Edition is out on Nintendo Switch and PC today! Players can find this new version, plus the big debut Switch release, on eShop and Steam. It’s an innovative platformer with arcane space vibes and shimmering, colorful environments. It also includes a compelling and innovative storyline told through holographic recordings and plentiful checkpoint diversions. I played the first twenty minutes on my Switch for you. I have to say it’s one of the more stylistically compelling platformers I have played a release version of.

You might be familiar with one of my other past articles on the game Hollow Knight. It has earned plentiful imitation with no resistance, in a genre of platformers that is dominating the Nintendo eShop line-up. I particularly enjoy these types of games and am grateful to give it the full treatment for this showcase. So, I’m here to share more of its treasures with you. So, here I go.

Thank you to the publisher of, Vesper, Cordens Interactive, and also the Indie Game Collective for obtaining a showcase copy.

Synopsis and Diving into Vesper: Zero Light Edition

This game is not a shadow of any predecessors at all. Early in the game. I found myself stunned by the serious and ornate structure of the game. The intro strikes like a best-running serious sci-fi drama on television. I’d be lying if I said this didn’t impress me. It felt nice to work my way up to the ability aspects of the game; after getting acquainted with the immediate state of our main hero.

Scerenshot from Game — Strange Artifices

The planet is crumbling, and it is up to you to escape into a labyrinth of unlikely obstacles. These obstacles cater to every ability you’re given to solve them. This is classified as a puzzle platformer, which is maybe a genre on its own now. It’s the only way I can figure out all these Nintendo Switch releases.

The game is not really big on combat–at least within the early stages of gameplay; probably not at all from what I’ve researched. You will have to hoodwink and duck, dodge, hide, and roll past sentries for lack-of-a-better-term.

Features of Vesper: Zero Light Edition

Beautiful game cinematography and environments
Paced Progression through a falling but stunning world
Use a device called a drive gun to unlock obstacles in the game
A haunting sci-fi story that can be unlocked throughout the game
Intuitive prompts that lead you above and beyond areas
Use natural insights to decide the way you’d like to solve problems
Encouraged exploration
Now on Nintendo Switch and Steam

Final Thoughts

I couldn’t believe that Cordens Interactive gave us this game for the Switch release to try. At $9.99 USD, this is a masterpiece at a discount. Do you think this could be a game you’d be interested in trying? Because I do. Hollow Knight fans should take note of this one as an addition to a growing genre of HK-inspired games. And it has platform mechanics that are innovative and compelling.

This game is found in the Nintendo eShop on your console. (eShop web link here: Vesper: Zero Light Edition.) It is also available on Steam with the same updates I’ll have a link below.

Thank you so much for reading this showcase for IGC on my blog MrDavePizza. I hope you enjoyed this feature. Please continue to look around my site to find other game recommendations to consider for your own collection. Enjoy your games.

Rotund Zero (IGC Showcase)

Posted on May 12, 2022October 5, 2022 by Dave Pizza

Back with another Indie Game Collective showcase for Rotund Zero. It’s a precision platformer with a Game Boy monochrome style that uses directional keys only to solve puzzle levels made of bouncing blocks. It’s only $1.99 on Steam at the moment and encourages problem-solving in timed runs. You have 5 minutes to complete as many levels as possible, and there are 26 levels, 1 for every letter of the alphabet! You’ll be on your toes to speedrun all of those levels, but the pressure is mild. Watch the YouTube video at the top of this article to see me run, a genuine but beginner, 5-minute run. I’ve been trying to cover more Game Boy-style retro games, so thank you to the developer and publisher Dahku for providing the key!

Some Backstory on Rotund

This is an economy version of two grander design-level games also on Steam within the last year and a half. Rotund Rebound (out just last month) and Rotund Takeoff (released last January.) And if you really want to dive into the backstory, here’s a really surprising fact, the Rotund series is based on a remake of the 2014 Wii U game Chubbins! Wow, that’s a long-time circulation for a platformer series, and exciting to retro gamers who enjoyed the Wii U. Also, here’s a fun obscure detail, the rabbit in Rotund Zero is named, Chubbit!

If you’re really into this type of platformer, or if you’d like to see full-color versions of this series, please check out these former releases on Steam mentioned.

Where To Get Rotund Zero

The major selling point here is probably going to be the YouTube gameplay I recorded, but for the record, I found the 5-minute countdown a perfect time to test my platformer skills. If you get lost, pay attention to the directionality of the blocks and other mechanisms throughout the levels. Also, not all of the platforms or blocks are visible immediately, so you may need to explore in the heat of perilous bouncing.

I don’t feel the need to go into too much depth about Rotund Zero, but it is enjoyable and the dev has some great ideas to learn from. The game is $1.99, so just get it. And basically, that’s all I’m going to say.

What an action-packed MrDavePizza showcase for the Indie Game Collective. Well, a brief one at least! Thanks for reading, please have a look around and explore my archives for many more wonderful, weird, and fun games covered in the past. Most of them are a bit more in-depth than this, but I hope you enjoyed this coverage here. Enjoy your games.

Here is a link to Dahku’s Rotund Zero on Steam.

Starbound – Completing the First Planet (Quick Guide)

Posted on May 11, 2022November 7, 2022 by Dave Pizza

In Starbound, you use Terraria-style mining mechanics to collect materials and progress through the galaxy. This game was released in 2016. It has had some resurgence thanks to a re-release of the game on the invaluable Xbox PC Game Pass platform. I figured since I didn’t find immediate coverage of my own questions, new players may be wondering how to progress in this game. The game takes place in outer space. It has a plotline involving being stranded in space after a cataclysmic invasion destroys the planet. With some basic tools, you’re left to fend for your own. With a damaged spaceship, you escape to the orbit of a wild alien planet. Now that everyone knows the background, let’s get into how to make it past the first planet!

Some Initial Tips on Starbound For Beginners

You could also compare Starbound to Minecraft, but the storyline is more similar to a combination of Terraria and an RPG. I’ve been wanting to try Starbound from Chucklefish ever since I first learned that it was similar to Stardew Valley.

The initial planet represents the core repeating questline of the game’s open world. Completing it is a good way to set the course for the rest of the game. Thanks to the brief intro of the game at the Protectorate base, you’ll have a useful tool called a Manipulator. It’s kind of like a mix between a mining pick and a phaser. It allows you to mine materials from the inside and collects dirt, ore, objects, and more. This, and your broadsword, will provide what you need to complete the first quest. Collecting core fragments for a special arc temple that will allow you to reconnect with an alien space station.

If you’re already at this stage, you have more or less figured out how to get through the intro. You may want to experiment a bit to figure out the controls before moving on. For starters, the action bar at the top of the page allows you to place items into it. You can then access them quickly with your mouse. By default, your manipulator, magnifying glass, and broadsword will already appear on the bar from the start.

I recommend grabbing the flashlight out of your ship’s locker as well because it can get quite dark when traversing through the caverns of the planet! Torches also help and are easy to craft using lumber harvested from trees and bits of coal mined from the dirt. Dangling plant matter from the ceiling of caves can also be used to craft ropes, which are helpful when exploring.

Being Careful in Starbound

When you create your character in Starbound, I highly advise you to choose the casual mode for your character. The more difficult settings can be totally brutal. When getting started, survival mode is really not necessary to be challenged by the game.

Additionally, you should act quickly to cook food from ingredients you find along the surface. This will be vital after getting damaged by creatures or accidental falls when exploring. You can also find or craft bandages and health kits, but this might be difficult on the first planet. They are however dropped by several of the creatures around, and inside, the planet.

There are so many strategies and techniques when getting started. It’s kind of excessive to go over all of them, which is why I’m focusing on the basics. The best thing to do when you get started is just explore. See how things work, hoping to find out where the quest is. Do try a few things like harvesting, mining, cooking, and crafting though. This will help you with the overall strategies of the game. It’s also fun.

Finding the First Temple and Mine

The temple is an ancient-looking structure that is easy to find. It’s also where you get your first quest and the first step in teleporting to the next area. Just walk along the surface of the planet until you find it. It might seem like a long distance, but after you pass over the three major hills on the first planet, you should arrive there fairly soon. It’s a big gray stone structure with an open platform. You won’t miss it.

You will get a quest to obtain 20 core fragments. There are a couple of ways to get them, although overall there is probably only one superior way. Some people suggest mining for core fragments deep below the surface where the rocks are filled with red lava. While this is possible, it can be really frustrating if you spend 20 minutes digging and fall into a pool of lava! Try this method instead. First, ransack the crates through the mining outpost. Next, defeat the big monster in the basement of the mine. I’ll tell you how.

Once again, this is a location you’ll find by walking along the surface. One notable aspect that will help you find the mine quicker is that the entrance is manned by a human. He tells you to check the mine for fragments–well, that was simple, right?

Collecting the Core Fragments

Using your flashlight, torches, manipulator, and sword, make your way through the platforms of the mine. You can move through surfaces underground, by pressing down (S-key) and space bar–a traditional platformer mechanic. Open up the crates with your manipulator and collect as many fragments as you can. Then go after this guy in the lower right corridor. You will have to use the E-key to open the doors.

Starbound Mine Monster — All the boxes behind him are filled with core fragments.

He is a bit tough to destroy in one go. If you are in casual mode, good news: your hit points will still apply even if he forces you to regenerate on your ship. You most likely won’t have enough armor to get away with it in one strike. After you defeat him, collect the fragments and head back up to the surface then to the temple.

Turn in the Core Fragments and Teleport to The Ark

Turn in the Fragments — Turn in the fragments.

Save the teleporter — Teleport to the Ark, and save the teleport location.

And, that’s pretty much it. After being teleported to The Ark, a survival ship with refugees, you have completed the quest. From here, you can save teleporter locations to access your ship and talk to the grand protectorate about the following storyline.

This guide is also summarized on YouTube

Thanks for Reading This Guide, Please Look Around!

This is actually the first guide, or game guide at least, that I’ve written to be totally honest. The pressure to make some has been quite strong for a while, so I decided to make Starbound the game to start with, since it happens to be my current obsession. Check back again for more tutorials, or explore the vast amount of indie game coverage here at MrDavePizza. Thanks!