I've actually owned this game for quite a while, but only recently got a steam copy of the game. I first owned it as a standalone/desura game from an old bundle (I don't remember which one, I don't think it was a humble bundle).

Anyway, the game is best described as a multitasking/time management sim. The idea is that you are running a variety of oil drilling machines to reclaim a set number of barrels of oil within a set time limit. You basically manage your time between two different machines (to start out) and by managing your time efficiently you pass the scenario and get to go to the next "island".

• It's rather unique. There's not many games focused on time management skills.
  
• The machines are just complicated enough to make using it interesting
  
• The mood/atmosphere of the game is relaxing

• You have to run a separate app that awards achievements
  
• All controls are done via keyboard and mouse; there's no controller option
  
• it runs at a very low resolution in a window, and if you make it full screen the resolution is still pretty bad
  
• Some of the "self-explanatory" stuff isn't extremely self-explanatory. It's not that complex though.

As you use each machine you gain experience on it which allows you to speed up the extraction of oil, speed up the transfer of oil from a tank to barrels (in cases where a manual transfer must be initiated) and a few other benefits. Basically it allows you to draw out more oil, but also increases the time management challenge.

Also, some of the machines break down and require repairs. This is the "not-so-self-explanatory" part. they give you a couple of examples of how to fix a machine in the tutorial but it never explains anything and you're left to just figure it out. Maybe that's the idea. You're supposed to figure it out and thus have more of a feeling like "I fixed it" rather than "I ran through a set of steps so I can use the machine again". Of course this feeling doesn't last long because there aren't THAT many variations on how to fix a machine.

Graphics are rather minimal (a crappy little drawing of an island surrounded by water, and the rest is nothing but the user interfaces for the various machines) but it works, and it helps to give a sense of atmosphere. The game seems locked at 30fps but it's not the kind of game where 60fps would make a huge difference anyway. I still feel like this game could benefit from a graphics overhaul though.

The music is rather mellow and I guess it's meant to keep you calm while you're trying to manage several machines at once. Nothing I'd find myself humming at work, but also not annoying or anything. Again, it suits the mood of the game.

All in all, the game is somewhat fun, but it's not something that will keep you riveted to the screen for hours. I mean, maybe if you're really turned on by the idea of multitasking...but part of the thing that gets me is that you can only look at one thing at a time. In reality I would have several windows open at once and I'd be zipping back and forth between them. This limitation in the game is kinda what hampers my ability later on.

If they ever thought about making a sequel to this game, it should be a series of windows for each machine (allow me to decide where I want to move the windows), and maybe support additional monitors as well..or VR with Oculus rift and HTC Vive support... yeah that's me asking for too much from a simple indie game.

I just feel like navigating the menus in the game is most of what slowed me down. If it was just me manipulating several machines at once, this would be so much cooler.

I've actually owned this game for quite a while, but only recently got a steam copy of the game. I first owned it as a standalone/desura game from an old bundle (I don't remember which one, I don't think it was a humble bundle). Anyway, the game is best described as a multitasking/time management sim. The idea is that you are running a variety of oil drilling machines to reclaim a set number of barrels of oil within a set time limit. You basically manage your time between two different machines (to start out) and by managing your time efficiently you pass the scenario and get to go to the next "island". [h1] Things I liked about the game [/h1] [list] [*] It's rather unique. There's not many games focused on time management skills. [*] The machines are just complicated enough to make using it interesting [*] The mood/atmosphere of the game is relaxing [/list] [h1] Things I didn't like about the game [/h1] [list] [*] You have to run a separate app that awards achievements [*] All controls are done via keyboard and mouse; there's no controller option [*] it runs at a very low resolution in a window, and if you make it full screen the resolution is still pretty bad [*] Some of the "self-explanatory" stuff isn't extremely self-explanatory. It's not that complex though. [/list] As you use each machine you gain experience on it which allows you to speed up the extraction of oil, speed up the transfer of oil from a tank to barrels (in cases where a manual transfer must be initiated) and a few other benefits. Basically it allows you to draw out more oil, but also increases the time management challenge. Also, some of the machines break down and require repairs. This is the "not-so-self-explanatory" part. they give you a couple of examples of how to fix a machine in the tutorial but it never explains anything and you're left to just figure it out. Maybe that's the idea. You're supposed to figure it out and thus have more of a feeling like "I fixed it" rather than "I ran through a set of steps so I can use the machine again". Of course this feeling doesn't last long because there aren't THAT many variations on how to fix a machine. Graphics are rather minimal (a crappy little drawing of an island surrounded by water, and the rest is nothing but the user interfaces for the various machines) but it works, and it helps to give a sense of atmosphere. The game seems locked at 30fps but it's not the kind of game where 60fps would make a huge difference anyway. I still feel like this game could benefit from a graphics overhaul though. The music is rather mellow and I guess it's meant to keep you calm while you're trying to manage several machines at once. Nothing I'd find myself humming at work, but also not annoying or anything. Again, it suits the mood of the game. All in all, the game is somewhat fun, but it's not something that will keep you riveted to the screen for hours. I mean, maybe if you're really turned on by the idea of multitasking...but part of the thing that gets me is that you can only look at one thing at a time. In reality I would have several windows open at once and I'd be zipping back and forth between them. This limitation in the game is kinda what hampers my ability later on. If they ever thought about making a sequel to this game, it should be a series of windows for each machine (allow me to decide where I want to move the windows), and maybe support additional monitors as well..or VR with Oculus rift and HTC Vive support... yeah that's me asking for too much from a simple indie game. I just feel like navigating the menus in the game is most of what slowed me down. If it was just me manipulating several machines at once, this would be so much cooler.