Oxygen Not Included has a sizeable update that adds Critter ranching

Oxygen Not Included [Steam], the seriously awesome space-colony simulation game from Klei Entertainment just had a huge update. This is the first of two planned, with the next due in around 6 weeks time.

The major addition here is Critter Ranching. This allows you to give your Duplicants a new Ranching job, so you can then get them to go out and capture critters alive. It will probably take you quite a while to get there, since you will need to research it first and find some actual critters.

To work with this, they've added new buildings and game systems to allow you to care for them, breed them and so on. Each different critter has specific needs that have to be met to maintain their health and comfort. Of course, this also means they will breed and you get tasty eggs eggs to hatch more.

In addition to this, they also added more including an encyclopedia for quick and easy access to information, 18 new types of geysers with both cool and hot temperatures, performance improvements plus the usual assortment of bug fixes.

Took me a bit longer to write about this, as I was desperate to see the new systems in action. Nothing was going right (as usual), I had Samsai throwing up everywhere, Scaine was lashing out hitting things due to stress and broke half of my essential buildings, we had a lack of food and so on…very fun though. A typical game of Oxygen Not Included you might say, failure and finding the best way to do everything is part of the enjoyment factor.

You can find the full update notes here.

Easily one of the best Early Access games available on Steam right now. It's completely engrossing and it can go from relaxing to maddening in moments, especially when your Duplicants start weeing everywhere.