Being the second game in the series, it’s clear that Raccoon Logic took plenty of feedback when putting togetherRevenge of the Savage Planet. For example, the much-requested change from first person to third person, and a host of smaller tweaks too.
This means that Revenge of the Savage Planet feels like a much more refined game, but even though it’s plenty of fun, it’s still not perfect. Whether it’s changes that can be made in an update, or bigger changes that should be saved for a sequel, where can Revenge of the Savage Planet improve?
8Give Us A Reason To Decorate
Drowning In Alta Bucks
As you explore the sprawling biomes of Revenge of the Savage Planet, you’ll frequently come across caches of Alta Bucks hiding in different areas. The only unlockable items these bucks can be spent on are decorating your habitat with different furniture, and because of that, you’ll probably end up stockpiling a pretty hefty sum.
While there’s a decent selection of decor options, unless you’re absolutely obsessed with decorating, there isn’t really much reason to do this. Some of the decor features unique animations, but most don’t. Since Revenge of the Savage Planet doesn’t commit to fully fleshing out this decoration system, it just feels like a weak waste of time, compared to the more enjoyable gameplay features.
7Target Switching Lock-On System
Time To Lock In
While most action games that are in the third person will rely on a lock-on system to help you keep track of multiple enemies in battle, Revenge of the Savage Planet doesn’t, and there are multiple moments in combat where you’ll wish it did.
When using the lasso or pistol, the reticle will latch onto the closest enemy, but there’s no way to easily switch this by flicking between targets, and it’s easy to be stuck on the wrong object and effectively trapped until you can get your bearings. It’s the worst when you’re trying to lasso a creature during a brief window of invulnerability, but instead you lock onto a plant and miss your chance.
6Tweak The Drone Dialogue
Room For Edits
Since the protagonist of Revenge of the Savage Planet is silent, the drone essentially acts as the voice of the game, and unfortunately, it’s incredibly overbearing during the tutorial. As you wake up on the beach and learn the controls, the drone will essentially be on a constant diatribe until you make it to the Habitat.
While this information is sometimes useful, usually it’s just random banter, and that would be fine if you weren’t expected to read plenty of on-screen text at the same time, too. This means that by the time you get to the habitat, you’re likely to turn down the frequency of drone dialogue (at least they were self-aware enough to include that option), but what would be better is a drone that just held back more naturally. While the lower frequency after editing the drone in the tutorial is still serviceable, it means that the drone only comments on story aspects and signposting. A drone with more personality, but not as overbearing as during the tutorial, would be perfect.
5Increase Weapon Options
Up The Arsenal
Once you craft the pistol in Savage Planet, it’s a fine option for early-game combat, but as you get further in, you’ll come to the realization that it’s your only option. Some other abilities can be used in combat, but thanks to limited supplies, you’ll mostly be stuck just using the pistol.
While the upgradesto the pistol give you some sense of progression, having a couple more weapon varieties would make the combat a lot more engaging. Revenge of the Savage Planet has such a strong personality, and it’s just a shame that it isn’t reflected in the weapons you can use.
4Add A Sliding Tutorial
Best Movement Mechanic Feels Like A Secret
The movement and platforming are arguably the best elements of Savage Planet, and it’s why traversing each of the main planets feels so rewarding. However, for most of the game, the option to slide feels like something you can only achieve accidentally when slipping in goo.
As it turns out, you may slide manually by double-clicking the sprint button, but this information is pretty easy to miss, and isn’t visible in the controls menu either. Sliding around makes combat a lot more fluid, so having better direction on how to use it from the jump would make it feel like a more intentional inclusion.
3Get Rid Of Research Time
What Is This? Freemium?
After you capture a creature for the first time, you’re instructed to head back to your habitat so you may start researching it. For some enemies, this is required to unlock new abilities, but for most, you’ll just unlock some cosmetic bonuses.
Researching takes real time to complete, and while it’s never much longer than 5 minutes, it just feels like an unnecessary limitation. It’s the worst when you don’t have anywhere new to explore, so you’re stuck twiddling your thumbs until the timer is complete. It makes the game feel like it’s free-to-play, and makes the whole research process feel like an unnecessary middleman to pad the game with an extra 30 minutes of playtime.
2Make The Javelin Less Of A Grind
Post-Game Pace-Breaker
While it’s never required for the main story, upon exploring Stellaris Prime, you’re probably going to happen upon the broken-down Javelin and start your quest to restore it. Given how many resources you’ll need to fully rebuild it, this ends up being the majority of the post-game content.
Even though restoring the Javelin to working order feels rewarding, thanks to all the abilities you’ll use and the far reaches of the solar system you’ll need to explore, the amount of resources required makes it anunnecessarily daunting goal. It discourages you from investing in new abilities to save them for rebuilding the ship, and while the reward is nice, it doesn’t feel worth the grind.
1More Map Features
Severe Toggle Drought
The map included in Revenge of the Savage Planet is serviceable, but it feels like it could be much better for the amount of exploring you’ll be doing and the amount of upgrades available. With how many tasks and resources show up on the map, the absence of toggles feels criminal, and just makes working with the map more frustrating the further you get into the game.
Another missed opportunity is the option to mark out ore deposits with an upgrade. With how many resources you need for the late-game of Revenge of the Savage Planet, having more tools to seek them out would make the game a little less frustrating in its final hours.
