About
Inspired by the dungeon crawler genre, this short game blends traditional spelunking with base building mechanics. The player is stranded on a hostile planet, urged to build a base and defend it against the awfully aggressive forces of the hostile environment.
Games like Planet in the Shadows
- Outer Wilds
- Subnautica
- Kairo
Good for
- Players who enjoy atmospheric exploration with minimal hand-holding
- Fans of environmental storytelling where the world communicates its own history
- Short focused indie experiences rather than large open-ended sandboxes
Avoid if
- Absence of combat or progression mechanics limits engagement for action-oriented players
- Narrative is sparse — players who want explicit story beats will feel underserved
- Production values reflect indie budget in visual scope and audio quality
FAQ
Is Planet in the Shadows worth playing in 2026?
If players who enjoy atmospheric exploration with minimal hand-holding, Planet in the Shadows holds up well. Check "Avoid if" above for honest caveats before committing.
How long does Planet in the Shadows take to beat?
Main story runtime varies — check the HowLongToBeat link in the sidebar for community-reported hours (Main / Main+Extras / Completionist).