AutoForge is an automation twist on the 2D sandbox formula

Even very early in production, AutoForge is already fun to play.

Although I have AutoForge described as a side-scroller in places, it’s not a one-way path at all. (A “side-scroller” to me is: you start on the left and are continuously being pushed to the right… which this isn’t at all). You can go back and forth as much as you want, left and right… until you reach the slowly blackening edges. As you trek along, the sides through which you may enter gradually move back, in both directions.

An early note: I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention, at least in the very beginning, the playstyle is very similar to Chucklefish’s Starbound. However, AutoForge moves quite rapidly into the automation — which is arguably the major difference between the two games. I love it! I’m a big ol’ automation/factory head. Plus, this is what AutoForge is really about.

You start, I’m guessing, about midway down. It does have an upper surface, which takes a while to get to. On the flip side, you can start digging down immediately. Figuring out what to do first is a major part of the enjoyment (no, no spoilers here).

Beware — in the up, down, and the main/starting ‘surface’ — don’t ever think you’re alone. There are plenty of monstoos after you. And, somehow, they have an uncanny knack for easily finding you. If I recall correctly, I don’t remember ever hitting one from the back! It’s always head-on, and you both apply directly to the forehead(s). Unfortunately if you die, you lose everything you’re carrying. Luckily, you can make chests to store some things wherever you’d want — I always chose ‘Home Base’ because it seemed to have the least ‘traffic’.

While you’re going through the steps/checklist laid out on the left side of the screen, even those become progressively more difficult. e.g., Just because you made it to the surface… doesn’t mean your next goals are magically going to be up there. The beginning of AutoForge is a hunt. Find the next thing in the list because it’s not going to be handed to you. One of the things the bad guys give you is oil… to make more torches. As it’s a very dark game, you will NEED the torches in order to 1. survive and 2. find your way toward your next ‘goals’.

As you start to head into the automation — which is really what AutoForge is about, you still have the little squishies hunting you. Obviously, there are now ways to at least alleviate some of the pressure… but you still have to be on your robotic toes.

AutoForge is available in Steam Early Access now.