The Planet Crafter, now available on PlayStation 5, offers a unique twist on the open-world survival and factory simulation genre. Instead of struggling against a pristine wilderness, players are tasked with transforming a desolate, Mars-like planet into a verdant paradise. The game, developed by Miju Games, has been available on PC since 2024 and in early access before that, but its console debut brings the experience to a new audience.
From Barren Wasteland to Living Ecosystem
At the start, players find themselves on a hostile planet with only a one-man escape pod. The environment is unforgiving: sandstorms, violent meteor showers, and freezing temperatures threaten survival. Oxygen tanks drain quickly, forcing players to return to safety. Scattered resources like ice (convertible to water) and rations from crashed spaceships help stave off thirst and hunger. Unlike Subnautica or Satisfactory, there are no hostile creatures—only the harsh environment poses a threat.
Death is frequent early on, and lost inventory items are boxed up at the death site but difficult to recover without a map or compass. However, as players progress, they unlock longer-lasting oxygen tanks, more inventory space, faster running speed, and eventually a jetpack, making traversal easier and opening up diverse biomes with unique crafting materials.
Terraforming as Core Mechanic
The primary goal is terraforming: increasing atmospheric heat and pressure to make the planet habitable. Starting with wind turbines and solar cells, players power heaters and drilling rigs that gradually raise temperature and release gas into the atmosphere. The first visible sign of success is the sky turning from red to blue. Later, clouds form, and rain begins to fall. The single-room escape pod is soon replaced by an expanding base with advanced structures.
The map is vast and handcrafted. As players explore, they discover hidden caves and crevices leading to massive new areas. Rising temperatures melt ice blocking paths, and explosives clear rubble, further expanding exploration. The player's impact is visible: lakes and grasslands appear, insects and animals emerge, and players can even create new species through DNA manipulation.
Progression and Discovery
The game offers minimal handholding. After initial objectives, players are left to experiment and discover mechanics on their own. However, a robust community wiki exists for those who get stuck. The terraforming score—tracking heat, pressure, and biomass—unlocks better technology. The process is compelling, with multiple interlocking activities: setting up crafting loops, exploring new biomes, building outposts, and accelerating the ecology.
Graphically, the game sits between Minecraft's blockiness and Satisfactory's polished high resolution. The visuals start low-res but improve as the ecosystem flourishes. The lack of a compass or map early on is intentional, as these quality-of-life features are unlocked through terraforming progress.
Verdict and Details
The Planet Crafter sustains interest over a long playtime—even after 100 hours, there is more to see and do. It is an essential purchase for fans of Subnautica or Satisfactory. The game is rated 8/10 and is available on PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, and PC for £19.99. It was released on June 21, 2026, with an age rating of 3.
Pros: Continually changing gameplay from survival to base building to ecology management; compelling sense of discovery with minimal handholding. Cons: Graphics not as beautiful as Satisfactory; less complex factory building; traversal can feel drawn out before unlocking the teleporter.
