Loddlenaut

Loddlenaut is a single-player game in which the player controls an interstellar custodian sent to GUP-14, an ocean planet polluted by the former operations of a corporation called GUPPI. The player's task is to remove waste and contamination from the planet's underwater environments and restore its habitats.

The main cleaning tool is a bubble gun, which collects floating trash and removes pollution from surfaces. Collected waste can be deposited in recycling machines to obtain materials for crafting equipment and upgrades. New tools become available as the player progresses, allowing different types of contamination to be removed.

Loddlenaut began as a thesis project by Ricardo Escobar and Jin-Young Sohn at the New York University Game Center in August 2019. After graduating in May 2020, they founded Moon Lagoon, an independent studio based in Austin, Texas, to develop the project into a commercial game. They received support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

The developers initially conceived the game as an underwater pet simulation inspired by Tamagotchi and the Chao Garden from Sonic Adventure 2. The design of the loddles was inspired by axolotls, whose unusual appearance, ability to regenerate limbs, and capacity for metamorphosis appealed to the developers. They also drew on Subnautica and Abzû when designing the underwater environments. According to Escobar, early versions included more survival mechanics inspired by Subnautica, but these were reduced as development progressed.

Loddlenaut received generally favorable reviews, according to Metacritic, which reported a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 for the Windows version, based on eight reviews. OpenCritic reported an average score of 81 out of 100, with 67% of critics recommending the game.

Reviewers described the game as a relaxing experience, particularly its underwater setting, lack of combat, and emphasis on cleaning and caring for creatures.