I do not recommend this product. The UI isnt good. The gameplay feels awkward. The story development is too little, too slow and doesnt mix well with the game. To the developer I want to point to a video from another indie game developer that I think he should take a look. Its from a channel called Eastshade studios and its in regards to marketing. Its easy to find and it makes a lot of points that I think need to be articulated. Normally I try being supportive of the smaller guy and the newcomer, but I also need to be honest in regards to the state of affairs. Wish the best for the dev.
Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil!
- Release Date:
- Jun 16, 2025
- Developer:
- SvenRahn Games
- Publisher:
- indie.io
- Platforms:
- Windows
Game Tags
About This Game

The earth’s resources are depleted, and the energy crisis is imminent. But there is still hope – the discovery of a distant world, which is rich in a new kind of natural energy resource. The name of the new world is “Grimstar”. That is where your brother lost his life, and the laws of the company he worked for require you to take his place until his contract is fulfilled. So you set out to do your service and to discover more about your brother's death.... Grimstar is a real-time strategy game about exploiting a foreign planet as efficiently as possible.
Single-player campaign: Exciting single-player campaign: which also revolves around finding out more about the death of your brother.
Level up system: With every mission you play, you level up and unlock valuable upgrades and new units and buildings with which you can exploit the planet even more efficiently.
Different Planets: There are 3 different planets to choose from, each of which is unlocked upon reaching a higher level. Each planet has its own vegetation and special characteristics. The missions on each planet have different victory conditions: Either all crystals must be mined or alien artifacts must be collected. In addition, there are various command missions in between, during which special objectives must be fulfilled.
Hero units: There are various hero units in the game, which once called can be called anew in every mission without giving up resources. The hero units also level up and thus become stronger after each mission. And as soon as they level up enough, they get new weapons.
Explore and exploit: Explore the alien planets and harvest all the resources to make your company a success. Command your armies against the alien hordes of the enemy planet as effectively as possible and using as few resources as possible. The more resources you have left at the end, the higher your level.
Screenshots
User Reviews
If you miss the good old times of classic Command&Conquer Tiberium Wars or Red Alert - this game might be for you. It takes the formula and puts a nice little spin on it, with a voiced campaign, a story, diverse missions, and nice visuals. It does have it quirks - the writing is not triple-A level, and there are very few options to adjust graphical fidelity, for example, but at this price point and with the lack of RTS games in general, you really can't complain. After 13 hours, it still feels fresh, and I have high hopes that there might be more maps and additions coming in future updates!
One of the best Roguelike RTS's out there, Just bought this game a few days ago to kill time but got instantly hooked onto it. The graphics are good the SFX/VFX are amazing but the combat has to be the best part about it!!!
if you're looking for a nice little single-player-rts for the weekend - take this. The graphics are simple but nonetheless high-quality and I like the colorful cartoonish-like touch and that the screen isn't fully scattered with foliage and stuff... The gameplay mechanics are quite easy to understand even for beginners of the genre - though it does get challenging at some points. Controls are absolutely smooth - some higher-priced games could take something from here The story is quite fitting for an RTS: Enough to get engaged and answer the "why am I doing this?" questions, not too much to get in the way of the actual gameplay. So overall - if you like RTS games - give this one a look.
This game kinda snuck up on me. At first it feels like a basic sci-fi mining sim, but then you realize there’s more going on. The tension builds slowly, and the music + visuals really sell the vibe of exploitation and unease. It’s short, yeah, but the mood stuck with me long after I closed it. Would love to see a full version one day.
Grimstar genuinely caught me off guard. It starts off feeling like a traditional mining-focused RTS, but there’s a slow-burn intensity that creeps in as you play. The visuals and soundtrack do a fantastic job of building this eerie, oppressive atmosphere — it feels like the planet itself is watching you. The campaign adds a personal touch with the mystery surrounding your brother’s death, and even though the game isn’t massive in scope, the mood it creates lingers long after you close it. For fans of classic Command & Conquer or anyone craving a fresh twist on RTS, this one is absolutely worth checking out.
If you’re after a quick single-player RTS fix, this one’s a great pick. The visuals are clean and colorful without being overly busy, and the gameplay is easy to pick up, perfect for newcomers but with enough challenge to keep things interesting. Controls are smooth, the story gives just enough context without dragging things down, and the persistent hero units add a nice sense of progression. For the price, it’s a real gem. Definitely worth a look if you enjoy strategy with a sci-fi twist.
Oh the amount of nostalgia I got from this game, Went in blindly without knowing what awaits me bug grimstar didn't disappoint, Loved every aspect of the game and honestly I couldn't stop. The game is fun addicting love the bgm what else do you need??
Grimstar brings a refreshing spin to a genre that’s been too quiet lately. The game blends old-school real-time strategy with modern ideas — voiced missions, a personal story arc, and a sense of progression through leveling and unlocks. The hero units that carry over and grow stronger after each mission are a great touch, and the different planets keep the gameplay varied. It’s not without its quirks — the writing isn’t perfect, and graphics options are limited — but for the price, you’re getting something genuinely memorable. If you’re into strategic gameplay with a dark sci-fi edge, Grimstar is absolutely worth your time.
I didn’t expect to get this hooked, but here we are. Grimstar starts off like a classic RTS, but there’s this constant sense of dread in the atmosphere—like the planet knows you’re mining it. The tech tree is pretty limited right now, but what’s there feels solid. If you're into resource management with a creepy edge, it’s worth checking out. Hoping the devs expand it more!
System Requirements
Minimum
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Dual Core 2GHz
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Minimum 4 GB of video memory
- DirectX: Version 9.0
- Storage: 4 GB available space
FAQ
How much does Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! cost?
Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! costs $12.99.
What are the system requirements for Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil!?
Minimum: Minimum: OS: Windows 10 Processor: Dual Core 2GHz Memory: 8 GB RAM Graphics: Minimum 4 GB of video memory DirectX: Version 9.0 Storage: 4 GB available space
What platforms is Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! available on?
Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! is available on Windows PC.
Is Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! worth buying?
Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! has 75% positive reviews from 12 players.
When was Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! released?
Grimstar: Crystals are the New Oil! was released on Jun 16, 2025.
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