Prison Architect

December 2020: To test the DRM, after the initial installation (normally, by GOG Galaxy, so there could be DRM there) I quit GOG Galaxy and disconnected from the Internet, went directly to the installation folder and double clicked the "Launch Prison Architect" shortcut; this launched the PA launcher, and from there I could launch and play the game. For multiplayer I obviously had to connect to the Internet, and managed to create a private, password protected game without apparent problems but since I don't have friends with PA I couldn't actually test multiplayer, but the PA normal game screen showed up alright. So although the EULA mentions you "could" need a Paradox account, it seems you can play solo and multiplayer without it. According to the launcher I had all DLCs installed. Sadly, the game is defective: when I started, it showed me what seems to be a tutorial (after quitting I couldn't immediately find it again, the UI could be better). This tutorial wanted me to build an execution chamber -I managed to get the foundations laid but it wanted an entrance to proceed, and I just couldn't. Demolishing walls worked on the perimeter wall but never on my new building; I finally managed to make room for the jail door by bulldozing. I couldn't build the door anyway -the "Walls and Doors" menu showed a list of walls, but no door of any kind. So game over. I like using a TV for playing, this means I have problems when UI elements get near the border: TVs crop many pixels from the border. While the game has windowing options, these are limited and the resulting experience awful. Runs just OK on a somewhat old Intel HD laptop. The UI is mediocre, and being unable to build entrances means the game is unplayable from the start, so I have to give it 1-star; if it were playable it might be 2-stars, because the UI and windowing sucks. Gameplay doesn't look very fun, but frankly I didn't make it that far. I got this free in a giveaway, otherwise I'd ask for a refund.

...after chapter one closed the game and wiped from my hard disk. I can't play a game, what is showing an execution without any critical reflection. Additionally, I hate launchers too. Can I refund gifted games too?

I like the game quite a lot and to my knowledge it has led the way to other noteworthy 2D management games, however it has several bugs that have never been fixed. What I don't understand about this version purchased on GOG concerns the installer since it does not take me to the Applications folder as you would expect and, in fact, it was installed elsewhere on the Mac and the System does not even recognize it as an executable. Any idea on how to reinstall it correctly?

Campaign goes on for a good amount of time with interesting optional objectives but the story itself is short. Not interested in continuing to play without a story and objectives and I don't think the DLC contains that sort of content. I've only seen them advertise more things to manage and aesthetics. If you are into sandboxing and think playing around with optimal prison design for high rehab rates would be rewarding then you might get more out of this than I did. Not quite an 8/10 for me. Also GOG, please don't vanish the review I'm writing when I lose wifi connection for a split second, thanks.

I like prisons. Good prisons.