Game feels like a waiting simulator

[dimm_ddr]

I like the idea behind the game: create your settlement by matchmaking villagers, with some sort of relationship system underneath. Even better that it supposed to work through generations.
But the problem is: at least in the demo there is not much of actual game inside. I take single villager, choose a match, assign to a work place and wait for resources to unlock the next building. Then I assign first villager partner here and wait for the next building. Then recruit a new one and go through previous steps. Problem is: the only moment I can control in any way is whom I recruit and whom I choose for the match. Everything else might be automatic for all I care. I cannot choose the order of unlocking, I cannot choose goods that should be produced, there is no diplomacy with any near villages/cities/kingdoms. I cannot customize villagers or their homes. I cannot even choose where to build next building, they all have their predefined space. Meaning that literally every village will look the same. Technically I can decide when to upgrade buildings, but that just make a few numbers go up and sometimes decrease waiting time for the next step. Can't say it is exactly fun.
But I wonder: maybe I miss something there? Or maybe there is some unlock that actually give the player some authority in the game process, some customization? I admit that I did not play for very long, so it is possible that I just did not get far enough to see the substance in the game.

[spielerinchen]

you can tweak the relationships. cause either peaceful harmonious or drama. also you are able to educate kids through apprenticeship. that gives you more options to play more focused & less luck dependend.
but in general, yes. it's waiting, especially for the merchant to come & deliver some gold since there is no other meaningful way to make gold in demo right now. at least not in the beginning phase where tons of gold is needed just to upgrade the "granary".

[xila31]

I completely agree with this. Also, there is no tutorial other than the "how to play" at the start which does not explain how to build buildings, or even how to assign the jobs. It's not very intuitive if you're coming from other building games where you build things. It also didn't make sense how to start gathering wood and I had to click around a bit before figuring it out. But, it was a bit frustrating.

I don't understand how to influence the relationships outside of the random events, which are fun but too rare. Also, I feel like the "drama" is very hidden in the character panel. Since you can't see the villagers interacting at all, there's no way to know who has a crush or a bad relationship, and also no idea why this is happening other than RNG. So this is another that would be useful in a tutorial, at least for me.

Having to wait to unlock buildings would be fine if it wasn't linear. Other city games use technology points or other "tree" systems where you build up and decide what to build next. Now you're just waiting to build everything and unless you've played before have no idea what's next or when a thing you want will be next. For example, the school. You have children but no way to decide to build a school. It would be nice if there were more categories of what to build, rather than just "build" or "houses."

I really like the concept idea of this game and curious what they are changing for the full release, but it really is just a waiting game. I'm glad I tried it out at least.

[D-Coke]

Agreed. Nice concept and making you believe there is more going on under the hood than there actually is (at least from what I saw in the demo). Unless there is something that spices the game play up, I can't see this having any longevity. It gets stale real fast, especially if you come from hardcore building/relationship sims - this seems like a mobile game (not trying to be offensive but that's how it came across for me).

It's all automated and I don't really want to be matchmaking every single villager but instead focus on the bigger picture by actually seeing things develop in a natural and organic way amongst the villagers. I don't think this game is it.

[yeetyourpants]

Originally posted by D-Coke:

Agreed. Nice concept and making you believe there is more going on under the hood than there actually is (at least from what I saw in the demo). Unless there is something that spices the game play up, I can't see this having any longevity. It gets stale real fast, especially if you come from hardcore building/relationship sims - this seems like a mobile game (not trying to be offensive but that's how it came across for me).

It's all automated and I don't really want to be matchmaking every single villager but instead focus on the bigger picture by actually seeing things develop in a natural and organic way amongst the villagers. I don't think this game is it.

It comes out tomorrow so we'll see!! I really enjoy match making the villagers and causing drama, so hoping for more of that. Seems like they will add a date event for couples and hope there will be lots of opportunities for affairs and more complex family trees. It seems like the royalty/castle will be expanded. Would be nice to just have an "automatically match villager" option and they could go for the best match in lakeburg once it expands or pay a certain amount of hearts to autoselect the first match from tindera.
Ps. any recs for relationship sims where you get to match make?

[Zingo]

Originally posted by D-Coke:

Agreed. Nice concept and making you believe there is more going on under the hood than there actually is (at least from what I saw in the demo). Unless there is something that spices the game play up, I can't see this having any longevity. It gets stale real fast, especially if you come from hardcore building/relationship sims - this seems like a mobile game (not trying to be offensive but that's how it came across for me).

It's all automated and I don't really want to be matchmaking every single villager but instead focus on the bigger picture by actually seeing things develop in a natural and organic way amongst the villagers. I don't think this game is it.

This is a game that is fairly idle, but you need to lay the foundation for the "bigger picture" success. I don't see this as being too different from some other colony sims, where you essentially put foundational elements in place, wait to develop, then work on acquiring the next stage or level of resources. The part you're critiquing is what makes this game unique and different from other colony sim/city building games. The stories the game tells through events and that you come up with in your head about the various couples as the town develops will make or break the experience for you. If you're someone who wants to be constantly addressing the next "emergency" then, from the few hours of gameplay I've seen, this probably isn't going to be for you. It very much about pacing itself for the next matchmaking phase while also taking a beat to make sure productivity stays high, although there certainly appear to be dramatic moments that could change the dynamic and productivity of the town.

There also do seem to be long term goals. Ensuring you have an effective monarchy to build prestige seems key (and you can't replace the royals once designated). Mentors and matches that can withstand time appear to also be crucial components that may take generations to perfect. When I was watching personally, I was a bit surprised at the depth, both with how mentorships function and the value of various traits. In the gameplay I watched, the person assigned a villager to fish because she was skilled at it but because she "disliked fish" she wasn't as effective. There also seemed to be skills beyond the professions such as "leadership" that would dictate success in certain roles. Little things like this add something to the game and the stories you tell as you play. It reminds me vaguely of the family dynamics of the Crusader Kings franchise, although different for other apparent reasons.

I think the game will be engaging if you're the type of person who enjoys that paced, story-telling builder that requires a level of personal engagement and interest in your villagers. If your goal is to "maximize production and focus big picture" then I'd agree with you in that this probably isn't the game for you because the highly personalized focus that both the matchmaking and the family dynamics demand. I think this makes things interesting however and differentiate the game from what would otherwise be just another city-builder. The replay value, because of all of this, seems high (you will never be able to have the same "Lakeburg" twice as a result of the different villagers).

I guess we will see tomorrow. Hoping for good things, truly.

[dimm_ddr]

Originally posted by yeetyourpants:

Ps. any recs for relationship sims where you get to match make?

Not obvious, the matchmaking mechanic is not present per se, but it is actually there: Dwarf Fortress and Rim World. In both there are ways to help dwarves or pawns to get together, to help them become more fond of each other. Or to opposite - to get them hate each other more and more. And then, you will be able to see the drama without your involvement. If you pay enough attention to actually see it. And it will blend into big story of a colony or a fortress. With possible death, betrayal, revenge and a lot more. And what is even better: characters matters. If you try to force someone completely incompatible, you will get fights, not love and children. At least most of the times. Sometime love work in mysterious ways and you can get impossible pairs.

[FantasyKT]

Originally posted by yeetyourpants:

Ps. any recs for relationship sims where you get to match make?

I love the idea of matchmaking, and the only games I've found that have it are Kitty Powers Matchmaker and Fire Emblem: Three Houses. I know Three Houses is not technically a relationship sim, but I loved seeing the scenes between characters and pairing them off. And Kitty was fun, though seemed no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get a perfect couple.

Was hoping the matchmaking in this game could scratch that itch.