Posted August 15, 2022
It’s obvious that this game was made with love, and it has the potential for greatness. Seeing a game try something new and creative in the management sim space makes my heart happy, and I want to love this game. I rarely buy a game on day one, but made an exception here, I’ve been wanting AP for at least a year. So I’m not shocked that some things are not “quite” there yet. There are other things that are outright broken, and others that are puzzling design choices. Here’s my list. FWIW, I’m playing on a modest system (Windows 11, Ryzen 7, Radeon Vega X, 12 GB ram, Logitek 310 controller).
FAIL:
The save system. The inability to start a new game without going “under the hood” to delete a folder is ridiculous. Ditto the inability to have more than one profile. Last, the inability to save anytime during the day without losing the rest of the day is supremely annoying.
Whack-A-Mole. Completely broken.
Air Hockey. Most of the games control fine with a controller, Air Hockey does not. Lag and drift make this unplayable at the moment.
NEEDS WORK:
PDA. Ugh, I hate you so much! You’re ugly and stupid and your mother dresses you funny. Besides the fact that PDA’s didn’t even exist until 96, why do I need a smart watch, a computer, AND a PDA? Controls are inconsistent and sometimes don’t take. To-do’s don’t carry over, it’s too damn big.
Mini-games. I get that running a laundromat isn’t supposed to be exciting, but still. First, why S-A-B-C, instead of A-B-C-D? Trash is entirely too easy. Laundry I can’t tell why some loads I’m “S” and sometimes I’m “A”, even if both times I’m standing there and hustling. Gum and Toilet are moderately challenging, at least at first, but fixed and no rewards, respectively. The safe is just annoying with zero purpose.
Currency. Make up your minds! English vibe with Pounds and Shillings? Fine. US dollars and quarters? Fine. A mash-up of the two, not so much.
Arcade design. There should be more granularity in placing machines, and MUCH more freedom in decorating. The goal is to create our personal rad arcade, right? So let us do it!
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE:
Custom Jukebox. This seems like a no-brainer. The ability to load personal tracks into games has been around for at least a decade, and should be easy to implement.
Interactivity with customers. The vanishing customer is a design choice, OK. But give us at least Sims/Tropico type thought bubbles. To see what are they happy/annoyed about? What games/amenities do they want? This would add a lot to the game.
More arcade games! I have no doubt that this is in the works, but please don’t “nickle and dime” us to death with endless paid DLC’s. Show us some Stardew Valley style love, and make at least the first few DLC’s free.
IN CONCLUSION:
This game has the seeds of greatness, and I’ve been mainly having a blast playing. Fix the few “show-stoppers”, make a few QOL fixes, and I’ll be able to enthusiastically rec this to friends.
Best of luck, and looking forward to a patch,
Richard
FAIL:
The save system. The inability to start a new game without going “under the hood” to delete a folder is ridiculous. Ditto the inability to have more than one profile. Last, the inability to save anytime during the day without losing the rest of the day is supremely annoying.
Whack-A-Mole. Completely broken.
Air Hockey. Most of the games control fine with a controller, Air Hockey does not. Lag and drift make this unplayable at the moment.
NEEDS WORK:
PDA. Ugh, I hate you so much! You’re ugly and stupid and your mother dresses you funny. Besides the fact that PDA’s didn’t even exist until 96, why do I need a smart watch, a computer, AND a PDA? Controls are inconsistent and sometimes don’t take. To-do’s don’t carry over, it’s too damn big.
Mini-games. I get that running a laundromat isn’t supposed to be exciting, but still. First, why S-A-B-C, instead of A-B-C-D? Trash is entirely too easy. Laundry I can’t tell why some loads I’m “S” and sometimes I’m “A”, even if both times I’m standing there and hustling. Gum and Toilet are moderately challenging, at least at first, but fixed and no rewards, respectively. The safe is just annoying with zero purpose.
Currency. Make up your minds! English vibe with Pounds and Shillings? Fine. US dollars and quarters? Fine. A mash-up of the two, not so much.
Arcade design. There should be more granularity in placing machines, and MUCH more freedom in decorating. The goal is to create our personal rad arcade, right? So let us do it!
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE:
Custom Jukebox. This seems like a no-brainer. The ability to load personal tracks into games has been around for at least a decade, and should be easy to implement.
Interactivity with customers. The vanishing customer is a design choice, OK. But give us at least Sims/Tropico type thought bubbles. To see what are they happy/annoyed about? What games/amenities do they want? This would add a lot to the game.
More arcade games! I have no doubt that this is in the works, but please don’t “nickle and dime” us to death with endless paid DLC’s. Show us some Stardew Valley style love, and make at least the first few DLC’s free.
IN CONCLUSION:
This game has the seeds of greatness, and I’ve been mainly having a blast playing. Fix the few “show-stoppers”, make a few QOL fixes, and I’ll be able to enthusiastically rec this to friends.
Best of luck, and looking forward to a patch,
Richard
Post edited August 15, 2022 by rabblevox