‘Dream Town Island’ Review – Kairosoft Doing What Kairosoft Does Best – TouchArcade

Some time again, I took a look at Kairosoft’s Zoo Park Story, my first assessment of one of many writer’s choices in a number of years. I needed to see if something had modified (it had, however solely marginally), and if my absence from its video games had made my coronary heart develop fonder (it hadn’t). I promised that I wouldn’t simply choose the present Kairosoft on that one recreation, so right here I’m again with a have a look at its most up-to-date launch, Dream City Island ($5.99). A sequel to Dream City Story? A cousin? I’m unsure, however let’s dig in.

I didn’t actually drill in on it very a lot within the Zoo Park Story assessment as a result of I couldn’t be too certain based mostly on one recreation, however I really feel secure saying this now: Kairosoft video games have gotten extra sophisticated, and I’m unsure in the event that they’ve accomplished so in a great way or not. Whereas the general construction and look of Kairosoft’s simulation video games is sort of the identical because it was over a decade in the past, they’re far more cluttered at a granular stage. I believe I perceive the intention. Folks have been getting somewhat uninterested in the previous method (formulae, I ought to most likely say – Kairosoft has just a few completely different archetypes it likes to work with), so the developer saved including extra issues for gamers to interact with.

I’m certain if I had come at it little by little over the course of many video games, it wouldn’t be as putting. However I didn’t, so all of the completely different currencies, ranks, dialogue bins, and sub-systems are loads to absorb typically. The UI additionally feels somewhat busy because of having to maintain monitor of all of this. It seems like I’ve to dive into the menus for ten various things at any given second, and once more I’m not certain if it’s a very good factor or not. I can at the least say it isn’t as chill of a recreation to play as, say, Scorching Springs Story. It’s important to preserve a whole lot of plates spinning. Nicely, I imply, probably not. It’s a Kairosoft recreation. You possibly can’t actually lose except you’re making an attempt to, and even then it’s fairly laborious. However if you wish to prime these rankings and play optimally, there’s loads to care for.

All that stated, that is nonetheless a well-known affair. I’ve all the time been keen on this explicit department of the Kairosoft sim. You’re constructing a city, making an attempt to draw residents, vacationers, and new companies. Putting sure buildings subsequent to others can create particular synergies, and improve the worth of all concerned. Extra worth means extra money coming in, which implies you’ve extra to spend on enhancements to your city. Over time you’re in a position to increase the house you must work with, and you may really get a fairly bustling little place going after some time. Possibly you possibly can even attain the highest rankings, if you happen to play your playing cards proper. There are three completely different beginning maps to select from, and I believe replaying the sport on every of them affords an inexpensive quantity of selection.

A part of the sport includes growing your residents, who will come to the city and possibly resolve to remain if in case you have an empty lot and so they like what they see. They every have their very own stats, and can develop their very own pursuits. They may even befriend one another. As you open companies, they’ll get jobs there. Some would possibly work out of city in the event that they want extra money than the native alternatives present. As they go about their lives they’ll make you cash but additionally generate a few of the different currencies. You’ll want a wholesome provide of all of these to totally construct out your city. Oh, and so they can enter contests too. They may get a rank up in the event that they win. You possibly can drop consumable objects of them to enhance their stats if you happen to really feel like doing issues in a much less pure method.

Objects will also be utilized to the assorted buildings and constructions you lay concerning the city. These locations aren’t obtainable instantly, in fact. You’ll must analysis for a few of them, which prices cash. Others would require negotiation, which includes a city individual and spending a whole lot of your completely different currencies. Efficiently woo a enterprise and also you’ll get the chance to construct places in your city and even purchase inventory within the firm. You may as well analysis different issues, like new residents or particular applications. You must all the time be researching one thing if in case you have the means to take action.

Principally, it goes like this. Appeal to new residents. Develop your city by inserting buildings and different constructions. Develop the residents by way of these buildings and the objects they supply. Use the residents to usher in new companies and go new applications. Place extra buildings and constructions. Improve your residents sufficient to win contests, which can rank them up, permitting them to tug in additional companies and such. Oh, and don’t overlook to purchase inventory and develop greens and run job interviews and…

I don’t know, it’s all so sophisticated that it’s really a bit laborious to elucidate every thing correctly in a assessment format. Sophisticated however not complicated. I’d prefer to say that if you happen to play it, issues will all go easily, however it might typically be simply as overwhelming in-game. Fortunately, it’s a Kairosoft recreation so you possibly can form of take your time doing issues, realizing that it’s not going to punish you too harshly for not doing every thing excellent. And when you get within the groove, it’s actually fairly pleasing to see issues rising. The visuals look cute as ordinary, even when it’s all pretty previous hat by this level. I like how all of the little buildings look particularly. I’ll say I’m getting a bit uninterested in the circa-Home windows XP UI, however I suppose if it isn’t damaged, why repair it?

Wow, this assessment appears extra unfavorable than I actually really feel concerning the recreation. The truth of it’s, regardless of all the further cruft right here in comparison with earlier Kairosoft video games, that is nonetheless the developer doing its ordinary shtick. It’s laborious to imagine that with so many video games underneath its belt, Kairosoft has modified so little. Further bits bolted and stapled on, however actually not in a sublime method. That is Oh! Edo Cities with just a few new equipment. And but, I had a extremely good time enjoying by way of it. I believe this really is a case the place an prolonged break has allowed me to take pleasure in the identical previous factor. It didn’t work for me with Zoo Park Story, nevertheless it appears to have accomplished the trick right here.

If, like me, you’ve been off the Kairosoft wagon for some time, you would possibly benefit from the acquainted but expanded tackle the developer’s ordinary city builder method present in Dream City Island. If you happen to’ve been on the wagon all alongside, you most likely already purchased this and completed it. And, as ordinary, if you happen to’ve by no means performed a Kairosoft recreation earlier than, your first one will probably be superb. Possibly that will probably be this one. It’s a bit busy for its personal good and I believe the design isn’t practically as tight due to all the added techniques, nevertheless it’s actually participating and nice to dig into.