Chris InglisSixty Four is an interesting game to describe. Developed by solo developer Oleg Danilov and published by Playsaurus, it launched on Steam on March 5, 2024. This is a game that blends elements of idle clickers, incremental games, and strategy sims, wrapped in a zen-like gameplay loop that has enough to keep you digging deeper. Self-described on the Steam page as ‘a clicker game that gradually becomes more idle with every machine you unlock, up to the ultimate goal of full automation.”
You start with a single machine that you click to lower it down to power it on and start digging for resources. It slowly produced a resource block that you need to click 13 times until it explodes, producing black Charonite. This resource is then used to build more machines which are outlined on the right of the screen with a concise description for each and their requirements. These machines in turn generate more resources like yellow Elmerine, which enhances existing machines to harvest resources faster, and so the loop goes on. As you progress, you unlock new machines with complex functions, forcing you to plan your layout and resource flow more strategically.
There is a semblance of a story happening in the bottom left of the screen, delivered through a text chat between your character and an unknown entity. As you find new resources and unlock new machines, the messages offer cryptic hints about your purpose, but never spoon-feeds you the answers. This gives you somewhat of a reason to persist with the incessant clicking as it creates a sense of mystery that keeps you engaged, wanting to unravel the secrets behind your clicking endeavors.
While clicking gets you started, later you can use keys like Q to clone machines and Alt to look behind taller machines and build machines that will introduce some automation. The real challenge then lies in optimising your factory layout to take advantage of more advanced machines and their functions to achieve automation. You’ll need to consider resource flow, machine placement, and upgrade paths to maximise efficiency which reduces the need for you to manually click absolutely everything multiple times.
Each new machine can be upgraded with more advanced resources like the purple Qanetite, and these will almost automate things as you grow. Upgrade progress can be slow as you watch your digger go deeper, and you earn enough resources to build a second digger. It was interesting to note that the new digger starts at level 0 which I was confused with at first, but it’s a good way to obtain the older resources as you get deeper with your primary digger.
Resources become scarce the deeper you mine, and unlocking new structures can take a significant amount of time and resources. This grind can be tedious, but it is worth the wait once you discover a new resource or finally obtain enough resources to craft a new building. Sixty Four boasts a clean and minimalist aesthetic. The isometric view allows you to easily see your entire factory, and the interface is intuitive enough to pick up quickly. The sounds of resources being farmed and machines needing resupply created a zen-like playing experience. I likely won’t play it again immediately, but it is certainly a game for a rainy day.
Overall, Sixty Four is an intriguing game that had me excited to find new resources and unlock new machines. The game is certainly not going to appeal to everyone as the slower pace and lack of clear direction may turn off some players. However, for those who enjoy the challenge of building a base or factory and optimising the machine layouts for production, Sixty Four offers a unique and rewarding experience.
This review utilised a key provided by Playsaurus and Sixty Four is available now on Steam.
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