The Colonists

 Switch
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Pure Nintendo
    Jun 2, 2021
    70
    The Colonists is a solid game with a less-than-solid feeling port. However, it still is good fun on Switch.
  2. Switch Player
    May 28, 2021
    70
    With a rewarding gameplay loop and charming aesthetics, The Colonists is a simulation lover’s dream. There are perhaps too many systems and not enough guidance, but once it clicks you’ll have a blast watching your robot explorers build your own settlements for hours.
  3. Digitally Downloaded
    May 17, 2021
    70
    As much as I loved my first few hours with The Colonists, it did, unfortunately, wear out its welcome after a while. The technology tree, while expansive, is also quite linear – most missions will have players eventually congregating towards the same end game resources. The different maps do provide some strategic depth, but even then the game is low on new ideas by the end of the thirteen missions. While a random-map option would have been nice, I’ve had all the enjoyment I think I’m ever going to get with this game. It’s great while it lasts, but I would have loved for the developers to further explore the idea of complex resource trees in a more open-ended way.
  5. Twinfinite
    May 11, 2021
    70
    If you’ve access to a PC capable of running it, I’d wholeheartedly recommend that version over any of the console ports, but if you’re looking for a fun little strategy game to take with you on-the-go that’s not overly punishing for every slight mistake you make, The Colonists has you covered.
  6. The Indie Game Website
    May 24, 2021
    60
    Though the game posits itself as adorable and relaxing, a depressing vision of humanity arises through its narrative (or lack thereof), one in which the aspects of humanity represented are colonisation, environmental destruction, war, and work. The game tells us one thing but shows us another. A story woven into the chapters or levels of the game that develops these ideas might help address this contradiction. Until then, this game is merely a settler simulation with solid mechanics―a well-oiled machine that’s lacking in heart.

User Reviews

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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. NindieSpotlight
    Dec 17, 2021
    7
    Strategy titles come in all sorts of varieties, and while the genre’s representation on the Switch isn’t quite as strong as I’d prefer there’sStrategy titles come in all sorts of varieties, and while the genre’s representation on the Switch isn’t quite as strong as I’d prefer there’s at least some diversity to be found. The Colonists adds a bit of more casual-friendly flavor to the mix with a blend of relatively low-stress civilization building and some cute robots who’ll be doing the grunt work. Through the main campaign and the sandbox mode you’ll get a fair amount of content, though I’ll admit that the interface is a bit much to take in at first and the organization of buildable elements isn’t perhaps as intuitive in a few cases as I’d like. Aside from that it plays pretty well, though I’d say there are some choices like forcing roads to be a certain minimum length that feel arbitrary and put in place just to be a bit of a pain. All in all though if you’re a more casual strategy fan or enjoy building things up it should be a solid choice.

    https://www.nindiespotlight.com/2021/05/mini-reviews-may-7th-edition-nintendo.html    … Full Review »
  2. Xqk559
    May 17, 2021
    9
    This would have been a 10 if it included random maps. Cute robot base builder/rts sort of game, plays really well on the switch. Lots of fun,This would have been a 10 if it included random maps. Cute robot base builder/rts sort of game, plays really well on the switch. Lots of fun, but after beating the campaign there’s not much to do on the switch version. The pc version has random maps which would add some replayability.… Full Review »
  3. MVEAlpha
    May 10, 2021
    7
    A cute and personable entry keeping the 4X genre alive, but a simplistic design and unintuitive, boring sandbox mode keep it from sating thatA cute and personable entry keeping the 4X genre alive, but a simplistic design and unintuitive, boring sandbox mode keep it from sating that itch left behind by classics. A chill atmosphere will certainly keep you entertained as cute little bots pretend at being living things, but if you're like me and like 4X experiences unbound by campaign modes, you will quickly grow bored with the lack of game customization choice. Sandbox mode basically lets you play the campaign maps without goals, and that quickly grows dull.… Full Review »