Hey guys! Welcome to your ultimate guide to Oxygen Not Included! This is a super fun and complex survival sandbox game where you manage a colony of adorable Duplicants in a hostile, resource-scarce environment. It's all about resource management, base building, and keeping your Duplicants alive and happy, which, trust me, is easier said than done. Whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned player, this walkthrough will cover everything you need to know to get started, survive, and even thrive in the depths of space. We'll dive deep into the core mechanics, offer pro tips, and help you avoid those oh-so-common early-game pitfalls. So, buckle up, grab your oxygen masks, and let's get started on your journey into the world of Oxygen Not Included!

Getting Started with Oxygen Not Included

Understanding the Basics

Alright, let's kick things off with the absolute basics of Oxygen Not Included. You start with a few Duplicants, each with their own stats, skills, and quirks. These Duplicants are the heart and soul of your colony, and keeping them alive is your primary objective. You'll be tasked with building a base, gathering resources, researching technologies, and dealing with environmental hazards like toxic gases, extreme temperatures, and, of course, a lack of oxygen. The game's complexity is what makes it so amazing, but it can also be overwhelming at first. Don't worry, though; we'll break it all down. The initial phase involves finding food, securing a supply of oxygen, and setting up basic sanitation. Food comes from various sources, such as mealwood, hatches, and eventually, more complex farming systems. Oxygen is generated primarily by the Electrolyzer, which splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. Sanitation is crucial because Duplicants generate polluted oxygen and germs as they use the lavatory. Early on, you'll likely focus on establishing a basic base layout to efficiently manage these fundamental needs. This includes designating areas for sleeping, eating, and using the lavatory, while carefully managing your limited resources. Water, carbon dioxide, and various other gases will also come into play later, but you need to begin with what's necessary to keep them breathing. Understanding these concepts forms the groundwork for every decision that comes next, and knowing the basics helps you get through the most difficult part of the game.

Choosing Your Duplicants

This is where the fun begins. Before you even start the game, you'll need to choose your initial Duplicants. Each Duplicant has a unique set of skills, interests, and negative traits. Be careful in making your choices because this can make or break your game! You'll want a mix of skills; someone good at digging, someone who can cook, a researcher, and an engineer will be your best friend. Look out for the traits as well; a Duplicant with a weak stomach might not be the best choice to be your cook, for example. Look for Duplicants with high Strength for digging and carrying, Athletics for faster movement, and a high Learning stat for research. Negative traits are also important, but don't be afraid of them. A slow digger is better than no digger at all. Choose your starting Duplicants to best suit the immediate demands of the game. For example, selecting a Duplicant with high Athletics and Digging skills can lead to more rapid resource gathering and base expansion early on. A Duplicant with a high skill in cooking and farming can increase food output. The right mix of skills will help get your colony off to a flying start, which is a great place to begin.

Early Game Priorities: Oxygen, Food, and Sanitation

The first few cycles are critical. The very first thing you need to do is ensure your Duplicants can breathe and eat! Oxygen is the most immediate problem. Find some algae, build an algae terrarium, and ensure it has enough water to produce oxygen. You should also start building your base around the starting oxygen source to maximize the distance your Duplicants can travel. Food is also paramount. Plant some mealwood as soon as possible, or harvest any edible plants you find nearby. As for sanitation, you need to set up a latrine and place a wash basin near the exit. When your Duplicants come out of the latrine, they will wash their hands. Also, don't let polluted oxygen and germs contaminate your food or living areas. Ventilation is vital! Build a few airlocks at the entrance to your base. This prevents the entry of harmful gases. Your priorities during the beginning of the game are: getting a stable source of oxygen, making sure you can feed your Duplicants, and maintaining their health. The key here is efficiency. The more efficiently you set up your base, the more time you will have to focus on the other aspects of the game. Efficiency will make or break your game. Start small and expand gradually. You do not have to do everything all at once. Remember that the start of the game is about establishing a functional base, not creating something fancy. You want to make sure your Duplicants stay alive, which is what is most important!

Mid-Game Strategies: Expansion and Automation

Expanding Your Base and Colony

Once you have the basics down, it's time to expand! Your colony needs to grow to accommodate more Duplicants. This means more rooms, more resources, and more infrastructure. Start by digging out new areas of the map and designating rooms for specific purposes: bedrooms, mess halls, research labs, and industrial areas. As you expand, think about automation. Build automated systems for oxygen production, food production, and resource gathering. A well-planned and expanded base will enhance your colony's efficiency. Focus on making the game as easy as possible for yourself. Place research stations in a central location, build multiple lavatories to cut down on time wasted, and plan your farming area efficiently. This will greatly help your colony in the long run. As you add more Duplicants, you'll need to manage their needs and job assignments. Assign them to jobs that match their skills and interests, and make sure they have enough downtime to avoid stress. With a growing colony, you'll also want to start thinking about specialized structures, such as a dedicated power grid, a water reclamation system, and a temperature control system. Careful planning is essential for a successful colony. A well-planned base layout and efficient resource management can make all the difference.

Research and Technology Advancements

Technology is crucial in Oxygen Not Included. Research new technologies to unlock better equipment, refine resources, and improve your colony's efficiency. Focus on researching technologies that address your immediate problems and challenges. For example, if you're struggling with oxygen, focus on researching technologies like the Electrolyzer and Oxygen Diffuser. If you need more food, focus on agriculture technologies. The research tree can seem overwhelming at first, so prioritize the most essential technologies and build up a research station early. Keep in mind that researching is a time-consuming activity. Therefore, you should make sure you have someone who is dedicated to researching. As you progress, you'll also need to consider your power production. Research technologies like the Coal Generator and the Hydrogen Generator to supply the power your colony needs. With a steady power supply, your colony can power crucial systems and continue to expand. Upgrading your technology will help you create a sustainable and prosperous colony. Staying ahead in technology is one of the keys to success in Oxygen Not Included.

Automation and Resource Management

Automation is the key to long-term survival. Automate as many tasks as possible to free up your Duplicants to focus on more important things. Build automation circuits to control machinery, such as pumps, vents, and generators. Smart automation can significantly improve efficiency. For example, you can create a system to automatically turn on the Electrolyzer when oxygen levels drop, or to shut down a water pump when a reservoir is full. Automation circuits can seem complex at first, but with practice, you'll be able to create advanced systems that manage every aspect of your colony's operations. Resource management is equally important. Carefully manage your resources, such as water, power, and food. Make sure your colony has a sufficient supply of each resource to avoid shortages and other problems. Recycling is also key. You want to recycle as many resources as possible to reduce waste and increase efficiency. By automating your systems and carefully managing your resources, you can maximize efficiency and make your colony as prosperous as possible. Remember, in Oxygen Not Included, it's all about strategic automation.

Late-Game Challenges: Sustainability and Optimization

Sustainable Ecosystems and Resource Loops

Congratulations, you've made it to the late game. At this point, your focus shifts to creating a truly self-sustaining colony. This means creating resource loops that recycle waste and produce valuable resources. Build closed-loop systems to manage water, oxygen, and power. Implement strategies such as using polluted water to grow plants and generate oxygen, and using excess power to produce hydrogen. These loops can be complex, but they will reward you with a stable supply of crucial resources. For example, a closed-loop water system can recycle polluted water into clean water for drinking and other purposes. Closed-loop systems eliminate waste and reduce reliance on external resources. You'll need to create a sustainable ecosystem that can support your colony indefinitely. Carefully consider the impact of each element on your ecosystem, and make adjustments accordingly. This includes controlling the temperature, managing the atmosphere, and preventing disease. With enough planning and effort, your colony will thrive.

Base Optimization and Efficiency

Now is the time to optimize every aspect of your base. Optimize your base layout to improve traffic flow, reduce travel times, and maximize efficiency. Relocate machinery and facilities to reduce travel times. Consolidate your various production facilities, research labs, and other areas of your base. With a carefully planned and optimized base layout, you can eliminate bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of your colony. As you optimize, consider your power consumption. Use energy-efficient equipment and optimize your power grid to reduce the strain on your power production system. You should also consider your waste management. Implement systems to recycle waste materials. By making these improvements, you can increase your colony's efficiency and improve your base. Optimizing your base may also involve constructing airlocks, setting up ventilation systems, and establishing separate areas for different types of activities. Make a commitment to constantly evaluate and improve your base. By focusing on efficiency, you can ensure that your colony thrives.

Advanced Technologies and End-Game Goals

As you reach the end game, you can start working on advanced technologies and end-game goals. This might involve building rockets, exploring other asteroids, or creating a super-efficient base with a high Duplicant population. You will also want to research advanced technologies, such as advanced power generation, advanced agriculture, and advanced refining technologies. These technologies will unlock new possibilities and allow you to expand and improve your colony. Keep an eye on your Duplicants' needs. At this stage, your Duplicants will likely have a long list of needs. Ensure that your Duplicants have access to luxury items, recreational activities, and comfortable living spaces. At this stage, the biggest challenge is not just survival, but thriving. This phase of the game is where you can truly test your knowledge and show off your skills. The sky is the limit! With advanced technologies and strategic planning, you can make your colony as prosperous as possible and achieve your end-game goals.

Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pro Tips for Success

Let's get down to the pro tips! Build multiple latrines and washbasins to reduce the time your Duplicants spend on sanitation. This is simple, but a game changer. Keep your oxygen levels high, as this will prevent your Duplicants from suffocating. Maintain a clean base. Cleanliness is essential to preventing the spread of germs. Regularly check on your Duplicants' stress levels and provide stress-relieving activities to keep them happy. These are a few of many things you can do to enhance your colony. Prioritize automation to improve efficiency. Build airlocks to prevent the spread of harmful gases and maintain temperature control. These are a few of the many things that you can do to increase your colony's chances of survival. These tips will help you take your colony from good to great!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Let's talk about the common mistakes in Oxygen Not Included, and how to avoid them. One of the most common mistakes is not managing oxygen levels early on. Always keep a steady supply of oxygen, or your colony will fall apart. Another common mistake is neglecting sanitation. This can lead to the spread of diseases. Make sure to set up and maintain a proper sanitation system. Another mistake is overextending too quickly. It's easy to get ahead of yourself, but expanding too quickly will lead to resource shortages. The best thing to do is start small, and expand gradually. A fourth common mistake is not paying attention to the temperature. A hot base can cause heatstroke, while a cold base can cause hypothermia. These are a few of the many mistakes that people tend to make. By learning from these common mistakes, you can avoid these problems and improve your colony's chances of success.

Conclusion and Further Exploration

Congratulations, you've made it! You've learned the basics, the mid-game strategies, and the advanced tactics of Oxygen Not Included. You are now prepared to tackle the challenges of managing your colony, surviving in a hostile environment, and achieving your goals. Remember, Oxygen Not Included is a complex and rewarding game, and the more you play, the more you will learn. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and don't be afraid to fail. That's how you learn and grow. Now go forth and build a thriving colony! The best thing you can do is to just keep playing and try new things. With patience and persistence, you will become a master of Oxygen Not Included. Have fun, and enjoy the game!