GENESIS ALPHA ONE |OT| In space, no one can hear you build. And mine. And clone.

tarman76 · Jan 29, 2019

Hey all. I'm throwing this together because I've been looking forward to this for a while, and after spending some time with it, really digging it.

Release Date: Jan 29, 2019 (NOW!)
Developer: Radiation Blue
Publisher: Team 17
Platforms: Xbox One/ Playstation 4/ PC
Price: $29.99

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT:

In a near future ravaged by wars, corrupt regimes and devastating pollution, influential corporations have created the Genesis program in a last-ditch attempt to save humanity.
As the Captain of a Genesis starship, you journey into uncharted space on the ultimate mission. Build and manage a space vessel, farm resources, deal with terrifying alien infestations, clone creatures and explore a vast, randomly generated universe.

Your goal: Find new homes for humanity's DNA and save the species from extinction.

ROGUELIKE ON AN EPIC SCALE:

Every journey in Genesis Alpha One begins with a huge, randomised galaxy filled with adventure and peril. Discover new planets, encounter asteroid fields, survive hostile encounters as you explore the vastness of space.
Death is permanent so every crew members life matters, and every decision must be carefully considered.

BUILD AND MANAGE YOUR UNIQUE STARSHIP:

Starting with a small vessel, you'll have to build and maintain an intergalactic ark by combining dozens of upgradable spaceship modules including crew quarters, workshops, hangars, clone labs and greenhouses.
Using an intuitive building menu, easily snap together the pieces of your ship to tailor it to your playstyle. Develop your vessel and then explore your creation in first person.

STAFF YOU SHIP WITH CLONES:

Got to have a crew. You start with humans but as you battle different alien species you can collect their DNA and splice it with your human clones for new perks.

GATHER RESOURCES:

You can gather space debris with your tractor beam or mount an expedition to a nearby planet surface. Either send a crew or join them on the surface.

Don't forget to set up defenses as organisms can come back on the tractor beam or the away team ship!

This is my first OT on here so sorry if it's a bit rough. I just wanted to bring a bit of attention to this game.

Sean Mirrsen · Jan 29, 2019

Releases in January 2020, so still a ways off. It does look at least interesting in concept though. Hopefully a year is enough to get it out of early access.

tarman76 · Jan 29, 2019

Sean Mirrsen said:
Releases in January 2020, so still a ways off. It does look at least interesting in concept though. Hopefully a year is enough to get it out of early access.

It's out today. I'm playing it now...on Xbox.

Deleted member 44371 · Jan 29, 2019

so its an epic store exclusive yet the launch trailer shows the steam overlay .. wow guess im not buying it. was ready to get it on steam but im not supporting epic.

KoolAid · Jan 29, 2019

tarman76 said:
It's out today. I'm playing it now...on Xbox.

I think they mean that since it's Epic Store exclusive, it won't release until another year on Steam :P

JoeyJungle · Jan 29, 2019

Sean Mirrsen said:
Releases in January 2020, so still a ways off. It does look at least interesting in concept though. Hopefully a year is enough to get it out of early access.

tarman76 said:
It's out today. I'm playing it now...on Xbox.

It's def out on consoles today, reviews are out, but steam says Jan 2020? Did they make a typo on their store page or are they releasing the PC version a year late?? One is a super weird decision and the other is a hilarious error.

marzoo said:
so its an epic store exclusive yet the launch trailer shows the steam overlay .. wow guess im not buying it. was ready to get it on steam but im not supporting epic.

oooooh didn't even think to check other storefronts, I got into the habit of googling "game name + steam" for the pc version.

AntiMacro · Jan 29, 2019

I love the ship building and the space exploration - especially once you get into the more dangerous sectors. I had hoped the planetary exploration would be more fleshed out, but at least the creatures were interesting.

Sean Mirrsen · Jan 29, 2019

tarman76 said:
It's out today. I'm playing it now...on Xbox.

Ah right, missed the consoles. Guess we'll have a late port to PC then. Have fun in the meantime. :)

Brodo Baggins · Jan 29, 2019

I'm very interested in this game. If the procedural planet surfaces actually feel different then I'm all in. I'm a sucker for space games like this.

KoolAid · Jan 29, 2019

JoeyJungle said:
It's def out on consoles today, reviews are out, but steam says Jan 2020? Did they make a typo on their store page or are they releasing the PC version a year late?? One is a super weird decision and the other is a hilarious error.

It's Epic Store timed exclusive for a year

Sean Mirrsen · Jan 29, 2019

JoeyJungle said:
It's def out on consoles today, reviews are out, but steam says Jan 2020? Did they make a typo on their store page or are they releasing the PC version a year late?? One is a super weird decision and the other is a hilarious error.

It's out on the Early Access Store and it'll come to Steam a year later as a complete game for once.

AntiMacro · Jan 29, 2019

Jackie Chan said:
I'm very interested in this game. If the procedural planet surfaces actually feel different then I'm all in. I'm a sucker for space games like this.

They really do. I didn't see anything like different gravity, but planets vary pretty wildly from one another. The lighting on some of them is fantastic and there's a wide range in vegetation types.

tarman76 · Jan 29, 2019

AntiMacro said:
They really do. I didn't see anything like different gravity, but planets vary pretty wildly from one another. The lighting on some of them is fantastic and there's a wide range in vegetation types.

Yeah, the visuals are quite good. I was surprised.

Slayven · Jan 29, 2019

How big are the planets, watchinhmg streamers they never went far

tarman76 · Jan 29, 2019

Slayven said:
How big are the planets, watchinhmg streamers they never went far

It varies but don't expect No Man's Sky levels. The Harvester (your landing ship) forms a protective shield around an area you can explore.

AntiMacro · Jan 29, 2019

This is taken from a tweet thread I made about my first experiences with the game - the second section is not really spoilery, but I'll spoiler it anyway to avoid giving away some early game discoveries.

My very first ship - the USS TUTORIAL - died an ignominious death, as did everyone aboard her, due to me not realizing the teleporter has two levels. Teleporting material aboard is dangerous because sometimes instead of beaming in iron or whatever you'll beam in deadly creatures. I don't know WHY these teleporter accidents happen, it seems like the kind of thing occupational health and safety would have put the kibosh on ages ago, but the tutorial-tip-recommended solution is to put two machine gun turrets down next to the pad to kill whatever comes through.

Again this is NOT an acceptable safety practice ANYWHERE, but it's what you need to do. So put one turret up top, not both, as I did. You see there are also access tunnels under every part of the station, including the teleporter, and for some reason THINGS sometime beam down there. The metal you beam up, it never ends up down there, but killer space worms, they sure do. Stick a turret down there and it'll mop them up no problem.

Don't stick a turret down there and your ship will suddenly start having catastrophic failures that YOU, idiot captain that doesn't know about the space basement, can't figure out. BOOM - end of tutorial.

With my second ship I had a lot more success. I farmed out the starter galaxy and I hyperjumped out to explore. I did die once on a planetary mission despite the 'low' danger rating, but that was mostly Clone 1212's fault. Still that death did weigh on my mind as I scanned a new galaxy rated as far more dangerous... I decided I'd just scoop up some loot with my teleporter and zip away. No planetary missions, no danger - right?

Wrong.

I'm in the teleporter bay helping beam things up - if you man the controls it goes way faster (I like to think it's not that the crew is incompetent, it's that they're lazy and only really work hard when the captain's there.) and suddenly all hell breaks loose. The computer continually drones LIFEFORM DETECTED LIFEFORM DETECTED and there are gunshots and explosions from every part of the ship. I go into the corridor and get ambushed by four aliens. I'm confused until two more appear.

THEY'RE BEAMING ABOARD? THEY CAN DO THAT?

Breaking out the shotgun I run the corridors blasting aliens and - occasionally - crewmembers who look at little TOO much like aliens in the dark corridors lit only by flashing red lights. They keep coming... The aliens, not the crew. Those, they were definitely dead.

Eventually I realize I'm going to have to move the ship away before they'll stop beaming in, so I hit the bridge and hyperjump us out. There's only me and one other crewmember left...

This game is a whole lot more than I expected...

Slayven said:
How big are the planets, watchinhmg streamers they never went far

Fairly small but it changes a bit from planet to planet. Your ship projects a circular field around it that is never really explained that I recall. Provides atmosphere maybe? Certainly does jack squat about preventing murderous aliens from getting through it.

tarman76 · Jan 29, 2019

AntiMacro said:
This is taken from a tweet thread I made about my first experiences with the game - the second section is not really spoilery, but I'll spoiler it anyway to avoid giving away some early game discoveries.

My very first ship - the USS TUTORIAL - died an ignominious death, as did everyone aboard her, due to me not realizing the teleporter has two levels. Teleporting material aboard is dangerous because sometimes instead of beaming in iron or whatever you'll beam in deadly creatures. I don't know WHY these teleporter accidents happen, it seems like the kind of thing occupational health and safety would have put the kibosh on ages ago, but the tutorial-tip-recommended solution is to put two machine gun turrets down next to the pad to kill whatever comes through.

Again this is NOT an acceptable safety practice ANYWHERE, but it's what you need to do. So put one turret up top, not both, as I did. You see there are also access tunnels under every part of the station, including the teleporter, and for some reason THINGS sometime beam down there. The metal you beam up, it never ends up down there, but killer space worms, they sure do. Stick a turret down there and it'll mop them up no problem.

Don't stick a turret down there and your ship will suddenly start having catastrophic failures that YOU, idiot captain that doesn't know about the space basement, can't figure out. BOOM - end of tutorial.

With my second ship I had a lot more success. I farmed out the starter galaxy and I hyperjumped out to explore. I did die once on a planetary mission despite the 'low' danger rating, but that was mostly Clone 1212's fault. Still that death did weigh on my mind as I scanned a new galaxy rated as far more dangerous... I decided I'd just scoop up some loot with my teleporter and zip away. No planetary missions, no danger - right?

Wrong.

I'm in the teleporter bay helping beam things up - if you man the controls it goes way faster (I like to think it's not that the crew is incompetent, it's that they're lazy and only really work hard when the captain's there.) and suddenly all hell breaks loose. The computer continually drones LIFEFORM DETECTED LIFEFORM DETECTED and there are gunshots and explosions from every part of the ship. I go into the corridor and get ambushed by four aliens. I'm confused until two more appear.

THEY'RE BEAMING ABOARD? THEY CAN DO THAT?

Breaking out the shotgun I run the corridors blasting aliens and - occasionally - crewmembers who look at little TOO much like aliens in the dark corridors lit only by flashing red lights. They keep coming... The aliens, not the crew. Those, they were definitely dead.

Eventually I realize I'm going to have to move the ship away before they'll stop beaming in, so I hit the bridge and hyperjump us out. There's only me and one other crewmember left...

This game is a whole lot more than I expected...

Fairly small but it changes a bit from planet to planet. Your ship projects a circular field around it that is never really explained that I recall. Provides atmosphere maybe? Certainly does jack squat about preventing murderous aliens from getting through it.

You can actually go past the force field on planets but it warns you that the atmosphere will kill you. I ducked back in real quick.

deadfolk · Jan 29, 2019

Sean Mirrsen said:
Releases in January 2020, so still a ways off. It does look at least interesting in concept though. Hopefully a year is enough to get it out of early access.

Am I missing something here or was the wrong post flagged? Not seeing an issue with this post.

Blackueen · Jan 29, 2019

This totally sounds like a game for me. Waiting for more impressions and reviews, but I think I'm in. How does it control on consoles? Looks like a game that could be clunky.

AntiMacro · Jan 29, 2019

tarman76 said:
You can actually go past the force field on planets but it warns you that the atmosphere will kill you. I ducked back in real quick.

I never found anything outside the field, so it doesn't seem like there's a point to pushing it.

deadfolk said:
Am I missing something here or was the wrong post flagged? Not seeing an issue with this post.

It's released now, they're just snarking about Epic vs Steam.

KoolAid · Jan 29, 2019

deadfolk said:
Am I missing something here or was the wrong post flagged? Not seeing an issue with this post.

Yeah, if you know that it's on the Epic store you'd think he was being sarcastic but seems like he actually didn't know. Eh, at least it's just a warning, and basically telling us "don't bring up complaints about the store it is on"

NikkiNailZ · Jan 29, 2019

Didnt hear about this game until an hour ago but i just bought it for PS4. Seems to be running at 60fps so thats great.

deadfolk · Jan 29, 2019

Looks like a legit game. Gonna check some streams.

rocket · Jan 29, 2019

I downloaded the Epic launcher for this game and pretty excited about it but won't be diving in until after the second round of Anthem demo & finishing RE2. Will be watching this thread for sure.

Byron Hinson · Jan 29, 2019

Anyone tried it on the One X. Just wondered what performance is like

AntiMacro · Jan 29, 2019

Byron Hinson said:
Anyone tried it on the One X. Just wondered what performance is like

That's what I played it on - no complaints on the performance side of things at all.

cowbanana · Jan 29, 2019

Gamespot 4/10. Doesn't sound like it's worth picking up at this point.

https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/genesis-alpha-one-review-drifting-without-directio/1900-6417075/

AntiMacro · Jan 29, 2019

cowbanana said:
Gamespot 4/10. Doesn't sound like it's worth picking up at this point.

https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/genesis-alpha-one-review-drifting-without-directio/1900-6417075/

You can assign crewmembers to the various stations but they're not great at them. They do it...but like, sullenly. As you explore you gather DNA from new species and you can turn out clones of hybrids that are stronger/smarter... I think that helps with their station operating skills, as I noticed the 'still scanning system' thing less and less as the game went on.

It's a roguelike exploration game where your only goal is to find a suitable genesis planet for the species. That's the 'direction' you have.

PepsimanVsJoe · Jan 29, 2019

My review is on Cubed3: http://www.cubed3.com/review/5334/1/genesis-alpha-one-xbox-one.html

I like the game, but it has some issues.

Slayven · Jan 29, 2019

Playing on ps4, except for a tiny texture popin, good performance so far

Kowpucky · Jan 30, 2019

I don't suppose anyone knows if your ships are forever stained with the guts of aliens ? Every new ship/start my ships are plastered with the remains of previous games.... and it doest matter which corporation I choose .

Slayven · Jan 30, 2019

Kowpucky said:
I don't suppose anyone knows if your ships are forever stained with the guts of aliens ? Every new ship/start my ships are plastered with the remains of previous games.... and it doest matter which corporation I choose .

Sounds like a bug

Kowpucky · Jan 30, 2019

Slayven said:
Sounds like a bug

I was thinking that. I'm on Ps4. So every new start your ships are shiney new ?

tarman76 · Jan 30, 2019

Got my first Genesis today. I felt very lucky to find a viable planet with O2 so my human clones were perfect. The end game is pretty neat. And after, you can chose to continue for go for more Genesis planets.

I still feel like I haven't seen a fraction of stuff in this game. For example: I never could successfully get any platinum so I could make shields so I didn't venture into any dangerous area.

Things that surprised me:

1) Getting boarded by humanoid enemies! Did not expect that! 2) Tom's voyage. 3) Finding plans for new room modules. I have no idea how many there are. 4) Advanced aliens beaming down to planets to attack. Once I saw a ship in the sky when on a planet. Creeped me out

I really love not knowing everything the game has to throw at me. Excited for another run!

"Lifeform detected!"

water_wendi · Jan 30, 2019

The game seems pretty interesting so far. i only played an hour or so. i really need to get a full day off so i can really dive in.

Kowpucky said:
I don't suppose anyone knows if your ships are forever stained with the guts of aliens ? Every new ship/start my ships are plastered with the remains of previous games.... and it doest matter which corporation I choose .

Might be a bug. i just figured the ship got infested somehow before you were revived/woken/made.

Kowpucky · Jan 31, 2019

water_wendi said:
The game seems pretty interesting so far. i only played an hour or so. i really need to get a full day off so i can really dive in.

Might be a bug. i just figured the ship got infested somehow before you were revived/woken/made.

" Learn the hard way " .... the game

Upon further inspection it looks more like acid eroding the floor from previous fights from previous games.

hypodrmage · Feb 1, 2019

Any word of Ps4 Pro or Xbox One X support?

Slayven · Feb 2, 2019

I really love the computer UIs, I love the retro scifi look. The whole game reminds me of Silent Running the movie

Deleted member 44371 · Feb 25, 2020

Dont buy this game! Its the definition of false advertising. My review for this game is very negative. They decided to put all TWO changes in the game made in 14 months as part of "full update". So, they literally want to tell you that they where working hard on the game, when they simply put latest Epic Games build to the Steam release now... as final release patch. Yup, they did nearly nothing and called it full release. They are advertising on steam with imrpoved visuals etc. Near all features described above where already avaiable for people that had EGS copy or Steam press build near one year ago! Don't get scammed.

DefiedFaith · Sep 5, 2020

They just released a great update. They added crew leveling and the ability to change their weapons. You can now board enemies and derelict ships. And a bunch of other small changes.

Link to full update.

GENESIS ALPHA ONE |OT| In space, no one can hear you build. And mine. And clone.

Never read a comic in his life

Never read a comic in his life

Never read a comic in his life

Never read a comic in his life