Running on Empty (2022)

Developer: T.F.A.N.C.S.
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Adventure, Casual, Indie, RPG, Simulation
Rating: 4.8 of 5, 25 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.2 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A solitary trek through a harsh wasteland, balancing scarce supplies and tough choices while navigating random maps and faction politics.

minimalistretropixel graphicsresource managementsurvivalnonlinearatmosphericpunishing

What players say

Players describe it as a blend of Oregon Trail and classic Fallout, stripped down to a minimalist 64x64 pixel screen. The intentional difficulty and reliance on RNG can frustrate, but many find the simplicity charming and the systems surprisingly deep. A playthrough can be under two hours, and the manual is considered essential reading.

Screenshots

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More by T.F.A.N.C.S.

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.