There’s nothing certain in this world other than death…and taxes. In Shattered Planet, however, death is something to be welcomed, as it will simply bring you back to life with experiences and the opportunity to be better at what it is that you do. This game allows players to portray a clone that will inevitably die again and again, but don’t fret, as there is a ready clone that will immediately take its place. Explore different areas and encounter bizarre creatures that will most likely kill you, but you’ll come out of it stronger than before. Here’s our guide on how to conquer Shattered Planet, but don’t worry if you don’t get the hang of it immediately, as you’ll definitely come out alive no matter how many times you die.
Gameplay
Shattered Planet is an RPG and roguelike game where in players will get to explore different levels filled with dangerous creatures as well as items that will help them in current or succeeding missions. Movement is turn based, and players can travel in any which way that they want provided that they still have health and if there are no obstacles like rocks along the way. Players will also gain access to equipment as well as have the opportunity to permanently boost their stats, allowing them to last longer and be able to face tougher enemies each time around.
Currency
Crystals and scrap metal are the two main currencies within Shattered Planet. Both of these can be found during regular gameplay, although crystals are rarer to come by. Despite this, players can still earn a healthy amount of crystals by discovering new items for the data log, by surviving more than three distances during Survival Mode, or by paying for them outright using real life currency. Crystals are used to buy items as well as new equipment, while scrap metal is used for training purposes which would allow you to upgrade your character’s stats.
Game Modes
There are two game modes available within the game, namely Survival Mode and Missions. Players can do each one at any point in time, although it is important to point out that the latter is more difficult than the former. However, the rewards are higher and you can attain more crystals faster, provided that you survive, of course.
In Explorer Mode, players must go through as many distances, or levels, as they could. Distances can be crossed by using the teleporter or by unlocking a gate which requires a keycard that can be found somewhere in the map. Players will be rewarded with crystals for each distance that they cross beyond the third one, and the only way that they can exit the game is by dying, after which the player will return to the spaceship with all currencies collected, but without the items and equipment that have taken with them or used up.
In Mission mode, players can also earn crystals, and this mode also has a definite end. Dying will result in you losing all the items and equipment that you have brought, but succeeding in the mission will let you keep all the resources that you have with you at the end of the level. There’s also a third game mode, but this is not yet available as of the moment.
Characters
Players can also change the appearance of their character. Currently, there are three types of character skins, with the third one available via an in-app purchase. Players can also choose to alter the faces of the skin that they have chosen. More would be available in due time, but whether these would provide attribute effects rather than just cosmetic changes remains to be seen. For now, simply stick to what’s available and look out for further updates.
Stats
Each time players die, they will have the chance to upgrade their characters using scrap metal that they have collected. By training characters, they would receive permanent boosts that will benefit them the next time that they play. Stats that can be upgraded include strength, health, and wits. The first two attributes are pretty self-explanatory, with wits representing your chance for evasion against enemy attacks. Fate is another attribute that can contribute to both evasion and the chance to score critical hits.
Items that can be both be equipped and used can temporarily boost any of these stats, although some items and attacks can decrease them for a couple of turns. Certain events will also either increase or decrease these attributes, so keep note of cause and effect when using and equipping items, and keep an eye on text that may appear which would explain any status changes to your character.
Turns
When navigating the levels within Shattered Planet, take note that each movement, whether it be moving from one tile to another, using items, or attacking, will require turns. Gameplay within the title is turn based, which is important to note especially when there are enemies around. Each turn you make will cause enemies to use their turn as well, which would typically be to move towards you. Pay close attention to this especially when trying to evade multiple creatures or when trying to move towards a more strategic position.
Speaking of which, positioning is also very important especially when you are about to be cornered or when facing multiple enemies. Generally, melee creatures can only attack you if they are adjacent to you, so try and lure them towards a place where you can pick them off one at a time. This strategy should change, however, if you or your enemies can attack even from a distance.
Items
Different items are available to the player, and they can be acquired and used in a variety of ways. Weapons and items can be acquired using the Random Object Synthesis Apparatus, or R.O.S.A., as well as from the Crystalobot, both of which will require different amounts of crystals. The items that are available and can be acquired are random, so players must choose wisely whenever they would like to spend this precious currency. Some of them may also be acquired in the field, although players should take note that they can only bring along a limited number of items, so they should make sure that they only carry what they need. It is also important to remember that any items brought along will disappear once they die.
Equipment have different effects and can also increase your stats temporarily. Effects may include resistance against certain elements as well as increased damage against creatures that are weak against a particular element. It would be a good idea to check up on weapon information as well as to read up on the data log of creatures previously encountered so that you may be able to determine which ones best to equip during which types of situations.
Items, on the other hand, are consumable and can be used at any time, although this will also use up a turn. Items have different effects such as providing players with increased stats or providing players the chance to deal area damage to enemies. Some items will also players to regenerate their health as well. Despite generally positive effects, take note that using some items may backfire. For example, using grenades would cause a fire that may damage your character should it come into contact with the player.
Unidentified Liquids
Unidentified liquids are special items in the sense that you’ll never know what effect they’re going to have unless you try them out. Each color will have different effects each time you play, but the effect of each color will be consistent throughout each run. The best option to do is to try each new liquid whenever you get it. At worst, you will die, but that’s not actually the worst thing that could happen in this game. At best, you’ll get a boost in health or a temporary upgrade in other stats that will allow you to push forward further.
Companions
Companions are friendly creatures that will accompany you during missions and attack enemies as well. Some companions can be found during regular gameplay, while some can be bought at the shop. Companions can be killed and their stats will depend on the species that they belong to. Companions can be really helpful especially if you need some assistance taking down an enemy or, at the very least, they would also be able to serve as cannon fodder while you move away from attackers and regroup.
The Blight
The Blight is a spreading area from where you started in the level, and staying in the location where The Blight has taken full hold of will cause players to suffer damage for each turn that they are in the area. This is signified by the tile being completely black in the field, and represented by a purple color in your map. Stay away from these areas as, not only will The Blight cause damage to you, but they will also cause stronger creatures to appear.
Random Events
Not everything within Shattered Planet is within your control. There are random events where in players will be able to make decisions, and even the consequences of these choices would be completely arbitrary. Effects can be positive or negative, and the best that players can do is stick with the most logical option. This, however would not always yield the best results.
There are also Stat Check events where in players would have to roll the dice of chance. This would then result in either an increase or decrease in stats either immediately or after a few turns. There might also be a chance where in players would be afflicted with negative status effects that they must survive should they want to proceed with their run. The best piece of advice is to just keep moving forward and to accept these twists of fate as there’s nothing you can do about them. Just stick with the things that you can actually control, like your attack and defense strategies and the equipment that you’d be bringing along, until you die. At the very least, you will be able to learn some lessons and valuable experiences that you can use in your next playthrough.