Recent reviews by KatherineOfSky

Automation Empire has a steep learning curve, but once you get into it, it's incredibly addictive and fun! I'm writing these comments after 56 hours in game, and I still want to play more!

If you are expecting Factorio, this is not it. Instead it is more of a puzzle game of fitting things together, learning ratios, tuning your setups into the ones of maximum efficiency. Costs keep rising as you build more expensive product lines, keeping the challenge smooth. (There are no run-away victories here!)

It's quite addictive to move things around, go for the best placements, try to fit things into the smallest areas. The game allows for refunding buildings and objects at full price, so you are never punished for rejigging your systems.

Extremely enjoyable and chill game.
Check out some of my gameplay or tutorials to help you make up your mind!

Let's Play: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4o6UvJIdPNpavQPEeuAeo3QtenPO9mBp
Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4o6UvJIdPNomh7vW9aeKfJXS56e9ebWX

Microtown is an absolutely delightful city/town builder with production chains and resource management. Even in this Early Access stage, it has many many production chains already in place, and the game is extremely addictive and playable.

One of the the things I like best about the game is that the resources are extremely varied: from gathering to production to distribution; most chains feel very unique and are fun to put together.

Like excellent games of this genre, you will be able to win even with a newbie strategy, but the game also has the depth for serious micromanagement to build massive colonies if one desires.

My first playthrough was just over two hours, in which I researched everything and won the game with a monument (30 August 2019), and I am very much looking forward to new content to extend the game even more. As it is, I am looking forward to another playthrough to see how to better to design my city, making sure everyone gets what they need!

The developer is extremely responsive to both bugs and feedback, which is a great plus for this Early Access game.

TLDR;
+ Varied production chains
+ Precious pixel graphics
+ Challenging production balance
+ Challenge or Sandbox mode
+ Entertaining music, even if only one track!
+ Early Access bugs, but a very responsive developer!

~ Short playtime, but definitely worth the game price.
~ Would love some additional music

I can't wait for more content to be released!!!

Check out my overview video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACyuPbqjJCk

If you are looking to see if this game is right for you, check out my gameplay video of the first few levels here:
https://youtu.be/LOyI_kFCAeM

Tower of Time is a journey through an exquisite landscape, which promises both a rich story, (over 80k words!), and also satisfying RPG gameplay & tactical real-time-with-slowdown combat.

From the very beginning of the game, the story draws you in with intrigue, and a powerful desire to find out the history of the main character! The environments are hand-crafted, beautifully detailed -- the quality and care of the designers shows from the very first second of gameplay!

The tutorials on how to play -- explaining skills, the points system, equipment, combat, etc. -- are very easily understandable and make it easy to pick up the game without struggling in ignorance or needing to consult a wiki.

Controls are quite natural and fluid with Diablo-style movement. I really like that you can view the entire battlefield in combat, without the camera being locked on your character. This enables you to position your characters optimally, planning for enemy movements and attacks.

Points put into character skills, (special attacks), can be respecced at any time, which is nice if you come across a particularly difficult group of enemies and need to change your strategy on the fly.

The dialogue, story, and found bits of text are EXTRAORDINARILY well-written -- easy to read, yet interesting and entertaining. Some games have repetitive dialogue or become boring within the first 5 minutes... not so with Tower of Time -- it reads like a lovingly-crafted novel -- a work of literature unto itself.

I am still at the beginning of my journey with the game, but it has already impressed me to no end! (And remember, this is an indie title! The work done by the team is well beyond any expectation!)

I'm anxious to continue my journey, and see what other secrets the game holds! I'll be updating my review as I get further into the game :-)

I received a key from the developer to play this game on YT, so please check out my series if you would like to see video footage:

https://youtu.be/qb73nKd6zrc

I've played trading games for many years, and was looking for something new. Before I played this game, I followed it a long time on Twitter, watching development, getting more excited as the game progressed.

When final release came, I was not disappointed! The first thing that strikes you when you start the game is the gorgeous music! The soundtrack is absolutely AMAZING, and sets the stage for the game perfectly.

The graphics are clean and neat and bright -- very cheerful and pleasant to look at.

At first the game seems very simple -- take goods from point A to B and try to make a profit. However, as you progress and reach milestones, (owning three ships, for example), you unlock more and opportunities -- creating automatic trade routes, the ability to found your own plantations & mines, buying stocks in production facilities and more!

Fail contracts with the wrong people and there are more consequences than a simple penalty fee...

The world is dynamic, prices changing based on supply and demand. Each world is unique! You can play as a pirate or a merchant fleet, running a clean ship or smuggling things into port.

A vast array of ships each have different specialties and upgrades. Captain experience determines special skills that can be tailored to each ship's mission.

Contracts allow you to make some easy money if you can get to the destination by the time limit. They can also help you improve relations with each of the different countries... or hurt them. Taking sides in a war can have definite benefits!

I feel like I have just scratched the surface of gameplay in Winds of Trade! So far, a very VERY enjoyable experience that is also quite addictive! Highly Recommended!

If you would like to see some gameplay footage, please check out my Let's Play series here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHwPdlzkZ2M&list=PL4o6UvJIdPNot8FJmPMB3rR22cSy11YdQ

Note: I was granted a key in return for playtesting on YouTube.

BalanCity is one of those games you can play for a few minutes to half and hour, and you are entranced the entire time!

A city-planning, puzzling, jenga-like building game, the dev has masterfully created a world with imperfect building blocks that are confounding as well as tantalizing, pushing you to develop new strategies as you learn the game and go to new levels.

Pros:
+ Varied shapes and sizes of building blocks require a need to innovate with building strategy
+ Needs of the city dictate your long term goals. (Not simply a "plop" game).
+ Art style is minimalistic, colorful, and very attractive!
+ Music goes well with the game.
+ A fun, nay, HILARIOUS way to spend some minutes in between life's other tasks.
+ Disasters provide an extra difficulty level. (Thank goodness they can be turned off, if desired!)
+ Tutorial is very good, providing a seamless way to get into the game.
+ There are several game modes to choose from, each of which have their own variations.

Negatives:
- At some points, it can seem "too hard", especially with the uniquely-shaped landmarks in some of the levels. However, I must put that on my own shoulders -- I just need to play more and develop a better strategy!


I definitely recommend this game because I enjoy playing it so much. When I first played, I literally was laughing out loud at the ridiculousness that ensued! If you want to see some gameplay, please check out my Let's Play series here:

BalanCity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPglXmyvKPw&list=PL4o6UvJIdPNrvyKmAwoJ2Z0X9iKr2t4wD

Note: I was granted a key in return for playtesting on YouTube.

Even the Ocean is a unique Indie game. While the tags call it an RPG, it isn't your typical "gather items & weapons".

Even the Ocean is a story -- one with deep personal motivations, and complex character relationships. The platforming aspect is a welcome break from reading the text, and isn't terribly difficult, though provides a decent challenge.

This is the kind of game you'll want to play if you are in the mood to hear a story, rather than simply hack & slash mindlessly.


Pros:
+ Superbly responsive controls for platforming
+ Unique Light & Dark Energy system, which allows you to cusomize your characters speed/vertical jump to suit different areas.
+ Freqent save points & forgiving deaths remove any frustration on those scores.
+ Unique artwork: Pixelated characters are very cute + hand painted backgrounds provide a smoothness to the world.
+ Rich and engaging storyline.

Neutral:
~ Very high ratio of female characters in the story -- very unlike most games these days. Provides a different perspective on the society in the game.

Cons:
- Some of the keybinds are weird, but you do get used to them. (e.g. "Enter" to bring up the menu, instead of Esc).


I would like to state, very specifically, that I am not generally drawn to "visual novels"... but Even the Ocean has engaging text, is quick to read, and the story is very interesting -- I truly am extremely curious about what will happen next! It's the driving force which brings me back again and again to this game.

Recommended! If you want to see more about the game, please check out my Let's Play series here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n97Cnj7vjPU&list=PL4o6UvJIdPNqD2MQNR-0eBoz67TTKofM-

I received a key for playtesting, and my honest and unbiased review follows.

Don't Open the Doors! is a lovingly hand-crafted game which appealed to me the instant I saw the promo screenshots! It's real claymation -- no computerized 3D graphics here -- but created entirely by the hands of the developers.

Pros:
+ Number one on my list: the story is HILARIOUS! Super funny dialogue! Throughout my play the whole thing has been extremely entertaining. Many are "inside" jokes to gaming :-)
+ The environments are colorful and vibrant, and the different items, landscapes, foliage, bricks, props, etc. are well-fashioned.
+ Combat is challenging: there are a variety of mobs, each having a different style of attack, which necessitates a bit of strategy when fighting.
+ There are a few fun little puzzles in the game. Because of different effects (air blowers, etc.), some platforming skill is required to get bonus items.
+ The Quest Log reminds you what you need to pick up and where you need to go.
+ The world is mostly open -- you can complete quests in any order. (Though some places open/unlock only upon completion of other quests.)
+ You can destroy TONS of stuff in the world with your amazing hammer! (Can't reach the spitting cactus? Destroy the bamboo that's blocking your way!)
+ The game has a very light and entertaining tone. A nice casual game to feel carefree with!
+ Besides being very funny, the premise of the story has gotten me curious, and I am very interested to see what happens!
+ The music is quite excellent! (At first I thought the intro music was a bit odd, but during gameplay it is quite enjoyable and covers several different genres).


Neutral:
~ Some of the combat is a bit wonky: e.g. you swing your hammer on a diagonal, but it doesn't hit the enemies.
~ There are save points, (versus "save where I am right this moment"). Love the tiny claymation disk! haha


Cons:
- There are some items which don't look immediately dangerous -- and then you get harmed by them. (The thorns, for example). But once you get used to their appearance, you should be fine.


Overall:
I am thoroughly enjoying playing the game, and I think I will play the entire thing on my YT channel! (At the time of the review, I am only a couple of hours in!) It's so much fun to explore the different environments, and I am excited with anticipation at wondering what new kooky characters I will meet next!

For me, the most important aspects: 1. the humor is great! 2. the game IS a game, which requires a bit of skill! Don't Open the Doors! hits both of the pleasure points.

I definitely recommend this game. If you are unsure or just want to see a little more, please check out my Let's Play series here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1EGoLToOZU&list=PL4o6UvJIdPNrZmNxNeap934cdbgKbpjmT

I am writing this review on the first day of the game's release, and will update it as the game evolves.

Firstly, the game is VERY early access, for example, it is missing music entirely. There are sound effects, but no way to control the volume, etc.

However, these items are readily acknowledged by the developer, so I'll put aside those known unfinished items and instead focus on reviewing the values of the game:

It is clearly inspired by Factorio with a bit of Big Pharma tossed in as well! Like Big Pharma, the map consists of several large buildings in which you can place your machinery. One building is available at the start, and additional ones require funds to purchase.

To create products, you must first import raw materials, then send them through a production chain via Smelters, Assembly Machines, and finally Product Makers in order to create finished finished goods that can then be sold via the Exporter modules.

Of course, the game wouldn't be complete without conveyor belts and Handlers, which transfer goods from machine to machine to belt.

There is quite a lot of research, which is purchased with points generated by feeding Research Labs with completed products... the same ones you could be selling! Each product has a research starting value that goes down every time one is processed... so changing the products that go into the labs is a necessity.

Research points are used to unlock further machinery, new product designs, and things like loans and lower interest rates.

I really like that this game has an economic component: one is limited by funds to buy machinery, etc. My first attempt at the game was to build a long assembly line of several smelters, etc. ... and then I ran out of funds before I could buy an Exporter to sell my goods!

The game has interested me far more than I anticipated, and I'm glad that there is a new factory-building game on the horizon!

This game does need a lot of work, which the developer acknowledges, but they are also asking for player feedback to improve things, etc. I will delighted to provide that feedback and see where this game goes in the future!

I would definitely recommend the game if you are interested in the genre, and want to see how Factory Engineer develops!

Check out my Let's Play series here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdiwPCCOWVQ&list=PL4o6UvJIdPNqlSf6unAU2oebvktcE9Uw5

I am unexpectedly delighted with this game! I grew up during the DOS years, and have seen gaming evolve over several decades. I never thought that something that nowadays looks so primitive on the surface would entertain me for so many hours!

Pizza Express is a casual game in which you build your pizza restaurant in order to be top in the town.

Gameplay revolves around two phases: planning and business hours. During Planning, you find out what new ingredients you've earned, create new pizzas to put on your menu, spiff up your restaurant with furniture & special deals for customers, buy advertising, and set work hours.

One of the cool things is that you can create your own pizzas to put on the manu, even customizing the name to make them easier to remember. They can be as simple or as complicated as you wish.

During Business Hours, notify your carpal tunnel to be on the lookout! It's a fast-paced build-a-pizza sim where you construct each pizza pie in the orders before the customers lose their patience. Up to 6 pizzas per order, these come directly from your menu. You can mouse-over the name to remind yourself of the recipe. If you make a mistake, just start a new pie.

The game simplifies baking and giving to the customers -- a simple click on the pie will send the pizza on its way!

Pros:
+ Fully customizable Pizzas: have up to 30 unique pizzas on your menu.
+ Customizable ingredients UI: choose which ingredients you want to use and where they go.
+ Customizable work schedule: make your day longer or shorter.
+ Upgrades for: Ingredients, furniture in the restaurant, tables, etc.
+ Advertising options to fit any budget.
+ Decent and varied soundtrack

Neutral:
~ Controls are a bit wonky during the tutorial. If in doubt, press Space. During regular gameplay, things work fine.

~ 160 Achievements -- eek! Most of them can be gotten by playing through the story, and also making items over time.

Cons:
+ Story segments are often quite long, and usually bring out the negative side in one of the characters. (Gets a bit tedious over time).


I'm still amazed that I have been entertained for so many hours... Pizza Express has that addictive "one-more-turn" gameplay, and the enticement to see what will happen next in the storyline. After 6 hours I'm about half-way through the story.

Definitely recommended!