Hey there, space cadets! Ready to dive into the wonderfully challenging world of Oxygen Not Included? This awesome base-building sim from Klei Entertainment (the folks behind Don't Starve) will have you hooked from the get-go. But be warned, surviving in the depths of space, or rather, the asteroid, ain't easy! That's where I come in. This guide will be your trusty companion, helping you navigate the early game, manage your Duplicants, and keep your base humming along. We'll cover everything from the basics of resource management to the complexities of temperature control and gas dynamics. So, buckle up, grab your space suit, and let's get started!

The Fundamentals of Oxygen Not Included Gameplay

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of Oxygen Not Included gameplay. When you first start, you'll be greeted with a randomly generated asteroid and a handful of Duplicants. These are your little worker bees, each with their own stats, skills, and quirks. Your primary goal is to establish a self-sustaining base where your Duplicants can survive and thrive. This means you need to worry about a lot of things: oxygen, food, water, temperature, power, and, of course, the ever-present threat of off-gassing and germs. It might seem daunting at first, but trust me, it's incredibly rewarding to watch your base grow from a cramped, oxygen-starved hole in the ground to a fully functional space station. Now, let's talk about the key aspects to get you off the ground.

First off, oxygen is, well, vital. Your Duplicants will suffocate without it. Early on, the game provides a starting supply of oxygen, but it won't last long. You'll need to find a way to generate more. The easiest way is to use a manual oxygen diffuser, which is powered by your Duplicants. But, of course, it's not the most efficient. Later on, you'll upgrade to better oxygen production methods, like electrolyzers, which convert water into oxygen and hydrogen. Secondly, food is another top priority. Your Duplicants need to eat, and they need to eat well. In the beginning, you'll be reliant on the starting food supplies and whatever you can forage. However, you'll need to set up a sustainable food production system. This usually involves farming various crops, like mealwood or bristle blossoms. Make sure you understand how to handle the cooking station. The water supply is also essential. Your Duplicants drink it, and it's also a key ingredient in many processes, including oxygen production. Water is precious, so you'll want to find a sustainable source, such as a water geyser, or you'll need to recycle and purify what you can. Then there's temperature. Your Duplicants will get sick and eventually die if they get too hot or too cold. You'll need to learn how to manage the temperature of your base by building insulated tiles, using cooling systems, and understanding the heat transfer mechanics of different materials. Last but not least, let's not forget about power. You'll need power to run your machines. Early on, you'll rely on manual generators, but you'll eventually want to upgrade to coal generators, natural gas generators, or even renewable energy sources like solar panels. So, building a sustainable base is not easy, but the joy of seeing it flourish is amazing.

Duplicant Management: Your Tiny Space Crew

Your Duplicants are the heart and soul of your Oxygen Not Included colony. They're the ones who will be doing all the heavy lifting, from digging tunnels to operating machinery. But managing them can be a delicate balancing act. Each Duplicant has a unique set of skills, traits, and stress triggers. Understanding your Duplicants is crucial to running a successful colony. Let's delve into the art of Duplicant management, so you can keep them happy and productive!

First things first, check the Duplicant selection. When you begin, you'll be presented with a choice of Duplicants to add to your colony. Carefully review their stats, skills, and interests. Look for a good mix of skills to cover all the tasks you need done. Some Duplicants are better at certain jobs than others. For example, a Duplicant with high Athletics will be able to move and dig faster, while a Duplicant with high Research will be able to discover better technologies faster. Pay attention to Duplicant's stress levels. Duplicants get stressed out from various things, like being overworked, being in a bad environment, or being around other stressed Duplicants. If their stress levels get too high, they'll start to break down, which can lead to vomiting, crying, and even comas. Make sure you set up recreational facilities like massage tables, showers, or comfortable beds to help them de-stress. Then think about Duplicant's needs. Your Duplicants have basic needs that must be met to keep them happy and productive. This includes things like food, water, oxygen, and a comfortable temperature. Make sure you have a reliable source for each of these. Last, assigning jobs is critical. Once you've recruited your Duplicants, you'll need to assign them to jobs. The job assignment screen allows you to specify which jobs each Duplicant can do and to set their priority. It's important to balance the workload, so no one Duplicant is overworked. Make sure you also consider the Duplicant's skills. A Duplicant with high farming skills will be more efficient at farming, for example.

Base Building Strategies: Constructing Your Space Home

Building a successful base in Oxygen Not Included requires careful planning and execution. The layout of your base, the materials you use, and the placement of your buildings all play a critical role in your colony's survival. So, let's dive into some base-building strategies to help you construct a thriving space home!

Start by planning ahead. Before you even start digging, take some time to plan out the layout of your base. Think about where you want your different rooms and the path that Duplicants will take. Consider the flow of resources, like oxygen, water, and power. Plan out the initial layout, with separate rooms for living quarters, bathrooms, a mess hall, and a place to grow food. Try to keep important areas like the oxygen production and food storage rooms close to the living quarters. Then, choose the right materials. The materials you use to build your base have a significant impact on its performance. For example, using insulated tiles in your base helps keep the temperature stable. Make use of different types of tiles for different purposes. Solid tiles can be used to build walls and floors, while airflow tiles allow gasses to move through. Use insulated tiles to contain temperature and protect your base from the harsh external environments. Let's talk about oxygen control. The oxygen in your base is one of the most important things you need to manage. It needs to be clean, and it needs to be accessible to all Duplicants. Use an electrolyzer to produce oxygen from water and hydrogen. Place your oxygen production close to your living quarters and use vents to distribute the oxygen throughout your base. Next, make sure you know how to manage the temperature. Temperature control is crucial for the health and well-being of your Duplicants and the efficiency of your equipment. Use insulated tiles to minimize heat transfer. Consider using cooling systems, like liquid-cooling loops or aquatuners, to actively cool down your base. Last but not least, the power grid. Power is critical for operating your machines and keeping your base running. Build a reliable power grid and place the generators in a safe and accessible place. Make sure you have enough power to meet your needs and consider using renewable energy sources, like solar panels, for a more sustainable power supply.

Resource Management: Keeping the Lights On and the Oxygen Flowing

Effective resource management is the backbone of any successful colony in Oxygen Not Included. You'll need to master the art of balancing supply and demand to keep your Duplicants alive and your base thriving. So, let's look at how to master resource management!

First, focus on oxygen production. Oxygen is arguably the most critical resource in the game. Make sure you have a reliable source of oxygen production. Electrolyzers are a great option, but they require a steady supply of water and power. Consider setting up multiple oxygen production systems to ensure that you always have enough oxygen, even if one system fails. Then, manage your food and water. Food and water are essential for keeping your Duplicants alive and healthy. Set up a sustainable food production system. This usually involves farming various crops, such as mealwood or bristle blossoms. Always prioritize a reliable source of clean water. Build a water purifier to filter out any contaminated water. Next, be mindful about power. Power is needed to run all your machines. Set up a reliable power grid and consider using renewable energy sources like solar panels. Always monitor your power usage and make sure you have enough power to meet your needs. Waste management is another factor. Your Duplicants will produce waste, both solid and liquid. Develop a system for dealing with waste, such as a lavatory and a toilet, and disposing of any solid waste, such as polluted dirt. Consider using a sewage treatment system to recycle and purify water. Always recycle the resources. Learn how to recycle resources. This means taking advantage of every resource available. Recycle water, filter gas, and turn all solid waste into something that can be used again. Last but not least, storage. You'll need to store resources. Build storage containers to keep your resources organized and easily accessible. Consider building a storage system that can automatically sort and manage your resources, for instance, a smart storage system, and manage the amount of items in storage.

Early Game Survival Tips: Getting Started on the Right Foot

Surviving the early game in Oxygen Not Included can be tricky. It's a time of resource scarcity, environmental challenges, and the constant threat of disaster. However, with the right strategies, you can lay a solid foundation for a thriving colony. Let's get you prepared for early game survival!

First, scout the area. Before you start building, take some time to scout the surrounding area. Look for resources like water, oxygen vents, and natural geysers. This will help you plan the layout of your base. Understand how to prioritize. During the early game, you must prioritize your tasks. Oxygen production, food, water, and research are your top priorities. Build an oxygen production system, start farming crops, and get a basic research lab up and running. Build a proper base layout. Build a compact and efficient base layout. Dig a small living area, set up a basic oxygen production system, and start farming crops. Keep your base relatively small in the beginning to conserve resources and make it easier to manage. Then, manage your Duplicants' stress levels. Your Duplicants will quickly become stressed if they are overworked or in a bad environment. Set up recreational facilities, like massage tables, and provide them with a comfortable place to sleep. Consider the research. Research is essential for unlocking new technologies and improving your base. Make sure you have a research lab and start researching early. Prioritize the technologies that will improve your oxygen production, food production, and resource management. Last but not least, understand how to deal with germs. Germs can quickly spread throughout your base and cause disease. Build a bathroom, clean up any polluted water, and make sure your Duplicants wash their hands. Always try to stay on top of issues as soon as possible.

Advanced Strategies: Thriving in the Late Game

Once you've survived the early game, it's time to shift your focus to long-term sustainability and optimization. The late game in Oxygen Not Included is all about refining your systems, expanding your base, and tackling more complex challenges. Let's explore some advanced strategies to help you thrive!

First, optimize your resource production. By the late game, you should have a solid foundation for resource production. However, there's always room for improvement. Optimize your oxygen production, food production, water purification, and power generation. Consider automating your systems to reduce workload. The automation is also a great factor. Automation can significantly reduce your workload and improve the efficiency of your base. Automate tasks like oxygen production, waste management, and resource delivery. Use sensors, timers, and logic gates to create complex automated systems. Manage the temperature control. Late game will be about temperature control. Use advanced cooling systems to maintain a stable temperature. Create a cooling loop. Insulate your base from external temperature fluctuations. Research into rocket building. Rocket building is a critical part of the late game. It is about exploring the asteroid belt and beyond. Start researching rocket technology. Collect the resources needed to build rockets, and send out expeditions to other asteroids and planets. You'll also need to get involved in advanced power generation. Explore advanced power generation options, like nuclear power. This can provide a huge amount of power, but it also comes with risks. Last but not least, the duplicant's genetics. Experiment with duplicant genetics and optimize your Duplicants' skills and traits for maximum efficiency. Cloning, training, and gene splicing can significantly impact your colony's long-term success.

Troubleshooting Common Issues in Oxygen Not Included

Even the most experienced players encounter problems in Oxygen Not Included. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve common issues that arise during your gameplay.

When you see the oxygen depletion, make sure you have enough oxygen production. Check the oxygen production and distribution systems. Build additional oxygen generators or electrolyzers. Then you need to solve the power outages. Power outages can shut down your base. Make sure you have a reliable power grid and consider building backup generators. Also, make sure that you control the temperature. The extreme temperature is a common problem. Make sure you control the temperature. Identify the source of heat or cold and take steps to mitigate the problem. Then, the food shortages. If your Duplicants are starving, take the time to build a solid food production system. Ensure you have enough food storage capacity and a reliable food supply. You'll also have a contaminated water. Make sure you filter the water. Purify the water, and consider the sewage treatment system. Finally, manage the Duplicant's stress levels. High stress levels can lead to breakdowns. Make sure that you are making your Duplicants happy. You need to keep their stress under control.

Conclusion: Your Journey in Oxygen Not Included

There you have it, folks! With these tips, you're well-equipped to dive into the world of Oxygen Not Included and build a thriving colony. Remember, the game is all about experimentation, learning from your mistakes, and adapting to the challenges. Don't be afraid to try new things, and most importantly, have fun! Keep in mind that every colony is unique, and you'll learn as you go. So, get out there and build your space empire!