But I think I understand the core loop. Ok, so I need you to understand that this is not really an RPG, this is more akin to Dark Cloud. Now what do I mean by that? Well the game is really split between two things, simulation and adventure. Now what do you get with those? Simulation- Farm, Relationships, Breeding, Cooking Adventure- Resources, equipment, sex, story But as is so often, the items paralell with these two concepts. Sure the food you grow/cook from the farm could be used for buffs in the adventure field but they could also be used as food for your creature barn. Sure the creatures that you have hatch out of an egg (getting the egg by breeding or by rewarded for after battle) can be used to do chores on the farm or you can also take them with you to help fight on the adventure side. The world itself is unique, not really explained that well but you get a sense that this is how things are, it does feel like it exists outside of when you play it; both with the creature migrations and the seasons effecting your farm. And honestly, there is nothing else like it out there. And despite what some reviewers are saying below, the game is getting updates, so don't worry about that. I'd say give it a shot if this sounds like your thing.
I will just say that I am around half way through the game, but I'm sure I've pretty much seen what is abound to the game. Firstly, this game has no ties with the original (aside from the game mechanic's). Secondly, this is more of a stripped down polished linear experience, like Defense Grid. Thirdly, there's alot of things missing if your wanting stuff from the orginal. If you were wanting dozens of people lining them up like chess, that's not here; if you were wanting challenge/endless maps, that's not here; if you were wanting lore about the world and sidequests, that's not here. But what this does have is more map engagement (like a person who can teleport to two different places on the map), more strategic use of the people since you have limits to who you can bring on the field, the same charm as the previous one, and the music isn't as recurrent in your mind as the previous game. And in the end, it is still a tower-defense game. So all in all it's more of a game than the previous one, but less of a world; it all depends on what you want.
It's rather basic. Get a bunch of creatures to visit your area, use their expertise and your resources to either build new infastructure or get more resources. Feed them at night, keep your lighthouse fired up with resources, and keep doing until... well there is no until, there is no ending. But their are traders, there is exploration later on where you can get more resources and artifacts that help with resources or building, there is disasters that show up and can destroy your buildings. But I say concept because there's some things in the game that isn't fleshed out, like aqquiring upgrades. I check the Sandbox and ya get more resources for unlocking upgrades than the upgrades themselves. Though I'll say I think they still pulled the game off. You can game over in this game by not keeping the lighthouse fire lit, regardless of how long you've played. And it still has it's place as a game, it's for the kind of person who wants a simple approach unto which you can loose hours of playtime too.
It's got some simulation bits in it like the mechanic's of a bus and picking people up, but it also has arcadey bits where your trying to get out of disaster area's before they get to you and there's no cruise control. But all in all, you are controlling a bus. You are having to take into account of the wide turns you'll have to make; now if that's more simulation or challenge, that's up to you. But yeah, senario's, free roam where you just run a bus route in the one of three places, has at least a half of dozen types of busses you unlock over the senario campaigns. I'd say it's worth a pick up.
Is it worth the money? No, I would suggest at least 30% off, but there is alot of content here. Is there alot to skulk through? Yes, but there are some people who never played the game before, and need some way of learning. Is it like the original? Not really, but they expanded upon the format to give us a way to tell stories through this gameplay loop. So if ya think about this more as a strategy game, then it's fairly straight forward, it has alot of stories to tell from the old west, from all sides. If that kind of thing appeals to you than give it a go.
Now let me be clear by saying that this is not a casual game, you are not going to win on your first or fifth try. You are at constant battle against one thing, the turn phase; and (aside from some special points) the only way your going to get more turns is by leveling up your dungeon. And ya do that by sending people in your dungeon and defeat as many while keeping them from stealing the treasure (there's also an option to talk to the group that also gives XP to the dungeon later down the line as well). And the more ya put people in the dungeon the stronger they get, so you'll have to get better traps, stronger combations, or both. But yeah, given you have enough gold you can set up the rooms with whatever traps/buffs/misdirection/combat rooms ya want, new units of monsters pop up from time to time to support your combatents which you can enhance with the right items and gold, new combatants show up and different story beats with their own quirks by how they combat unto which you can also enhance given you have the right items and gold, certain characters with a build meter you can use to make the dungeon more helpful like healing everyone or sending everyone back the beginning of the dungeon, and you can eventually talk to them for this H-Scene's (your going to have to work for those). Now keep in mind, not giving everything away, but I think it's enough to get you an idea of what to expect in this game.
Yes it does have a simple presentation, which kinda gives it a first game/college project feel, but it is alot more nuanced than that. The design is simple, but there's added complexity just by it being a 3D world you move around, having to upgrade the towers manually with the character. Those who like their tower defense games would get a nice refresh with this game, certainly something I haven't seen before with a tower defense game.
The snow physics are quiet interesting, and there's a nice chillness to the game. But it definantly needs some polish, after the first mission I had no idea what I should be doing next. Just give it some time.
