Rimworld is easy enough to play and survive (at first at least) if you've played similar games, but there's always more to learn and plenty to do aside from not dying. I found myself looking up some stuff but I learned the majority by playing and trial and error. Yes there is a learning curve but it's manageable. There are plenty of good Youtube tutorials though. While the core game is good, the absurd number of free mods makes this game insanely variable in about every way. From additional weapons or visuals, to making it in a different setting or even genre really. Options abound and take seconds to install (the game comes with a mod folder, most are several megabits). I take breaks and try diff mods, goals, story settings, etc so the replay on this is very high. I am fickle on strategy games, sometimes they feel like homework with menus inside more menus, sometimes I'm hooked. This strikes a balance of accessible depth and playability for me. Yes the graphics are simple and some ppl totally don't get this game, so you might want to check some gameplay videos. Difficulty is quite scalable depending how fast you play vs pause and micromanage, if you reload your save much , explore vs hermit base build and mods.
While I enjoy deep, complex space sims and strategy games sometimes they feel like math homework and I want something simpler. This game fulfills the simple but not too simple/easy space game niche (it has base building, character level, diff ship types, status effects etc.) which is rare. Some are turned off by pixel graphics but I came up loving Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger and mostly play modern games so I enjoy some visual/artistic variety and nostalgia now and again. The aliens have some funny dialogue but the game isn't too silly and has some decent plot twists. Often strategy games have no real plot, this has some (without tons of reading) and it's pretty good IMO. You have time to build and explore but events move things along without feeling too rushed IMO (although still do some split saves just in case). Some say it feels rushed but I found it kept the game somewhat challenging vs grinding away for easy wins. 4/5 good but not mind blowing. It combines things few games do and in a world of endless franchises and genre clones I found it a breathe of fresh air....easily worth $15. Not for everyone but it has it's place.
This is one of my favorite games of all times and GOG has all the different versions as separate downloads with manuals; well done. Challenging but manageable difficulty (especially if you do just main mission objectives vs bonus), a variety of mission styles/goals, great music/sound effects (that iconic Tie scream!), many missions including non boring tutorials; this game isn't just nostalgia...although it is faithful to and invokes the original trilogies feel. I find the game to be less work using my 360 controller compared to the flight stick. x360ce 32 bit version works fine. I brought the stick sensitivity way down particularly vertically; 5 minutes well spent. I had the Steam version but it crashed when I went to fly a mission a few months ago on windows 7. They should be careful who they betray, not to name drop but I am the Emperor's Arm in his Secret Order (don't tell nobody) and it'd be a shame if one of their starbases happened to get in the way of Imperial Proton Torpedo's on Official Imperial Proton Torpedo Business, if you know what I mean. Accidents happen; it's a brutal galaxy. Sometimes games don't work, sometimes starbases find themselves in unfortunate flight paths. Glad I know who I can trust in these uncertain times.
