Journey to the Savage Planet
A great time no matter what you do.
As a new member of Kindred Aerospace’s Pioneer Program, you’re sent to the alien planet AR-Y 26 to scout it out, see if it’s habitable, and shake it down for resources if it’s not. It quickly becomes clear that this planet is a bit more than you bargained for – savage, you might call it – and that your employer isn’t terribly concerned for your safety. So begins an irreverent tale of capitalism and climate change which is every bit as scathing as it is satirical.
Journey to the Savage Planet is a first-person action-platformer about collecting resources, crafting upgrades, using them to explore the titular planet, and shooting various critters which get in your way. Just as importantly, it’s a blunt and relentless caricature. It’s set in a time when Earth has officially kicked the bucket due to climate collapse, forcing humanity to find a new home among the stars. Naturally, blatantly evil corporations – not unlike Kindred Aerospace – are trying to monopolise the galaxy and monetise free will.
More than anything, Journey to the Savage Planet reminds me of Rare circa Conker’s Bad Fur Day. It’s bright, cute, colorful, and endlessly charming. AR-Y 26 is filled with adorably boggle-eyed creatures as well as ferocious predators, and there’s a dark silliness to it all that plays into its Dr. Seuss aesthetic perfectly. The best part is that every last element serves as a comedic vehicle. This gives the game a Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon quality where I feel compelled to find more creature descriptions and lore entries just to see what they say, because it’s usually hilarious.
While I finished the game in just over six hours, that was only with 67% completion. I’m the kind of person who generally blasts through story stuff in open-world games, so I’ve still got dozens of upgrades and secrets left to find which could easily push Journey to the Savage Planet over the 10-hour mark. This game doesn’t need to be any longer, and given the wealth of time vampires on the market, I respect and welcome a good short game.
A short and satisfying space adventure which really is laugh out loud funny. Austin Wood