Environmental Station α ★★★☆☆

Environmental Station Alpha is unfortunately equal parts wonderful and frustrating. After getting the “New Role” ending I am happy to call it quits as I don’t think I am going to get much enjoyment from wringing any more secrets out of it.

The clear highlight and lowpoint is how layered the map is, revealing more and more tucked away in its folds as the game progresses. When the game tips its hand and makes clear that there are no gaps and every nook and cranny has something to explore in it it’s a very satisfying moment.

But the game also struggles to find a purpose for these secrets other than to have them. Terminal messages scattered throughout the game can contain worldbuilding, very on the nose gameplay hints, secrets, or just completely irreverent, fourth wall-breaking jokes in a way that works against any sense of mystery that the secrets might have. The game only really pretends for so long that there is really a story to eke out rather than just secrets for the sake of secrets.

And despite a really wonderful-feeling grappling hook, exploring the station while trying to follow the various hints is an utter slog, with so many obstacles, one-way paths, roadblocks and hidden passages that are never marked on the map that make getting back to so many places an utter pain. Even when I remembered which secret room I have to get back to I would still struggle often to remember which direction to approach it from to get back into it. Some of the scavenger hunt hints could also do with much more memorable landmarks in the station, or a more detailed map, to point to. Clearer signposting of areas that need another upgrade to get through would be nice as well. More than once I spent some time trying to reach an area that seemed like it might be achievable but was not.

The gameplay is generally quite satisfying, though lack of healing between save points can make enemies a frustrating chore to navigate on repeated trips and the difficult curve with bosses is uneven and unforgiving. A strange mix of extreme care and thoughtfulness and frustrating lack of affordance to the player.