Deven McClure
This author account hasn't been claimed yet. To claim this account, please contact the outlet owner to request access.
Writing For
Screen RantLatest Reviews
The title isn’t completely flawless - like many management games, there are still sections that necessitate sitting and waiting for things to progress which can feel boring at times, there were a few segments that seemed like they should have voiceover for location-based milestones but didn’t, and sometimes XP for staff after missions would appear to lower despite being gained, though this never seemed to actually impact their progression. However, as a whole, it’s still a highly customizable and comprehensive experience designed for every level of simulation player that allows them to maximize efficiency and minutiae to the amount they desire.
Spirit City is a charming idle game that can absolutely improve the day-to-day working experience. However, it is very much a title where players will get out of it what they put into it. The timer can simply be ignored, or tasks falsely marked complete, but these choices would largely defeat its entire purpose. Used as intended, it has great productive potential, though its efficacy for players with only one computer may vary; having the program open on my desktop while working on my laptop allowed for a closer tie to the game than working with it minimized might have.
Once each entry is fully realized, players can head to one of the planting tables scattered around the estate to fill a pot with dirt, plant the seed, and water it before doing whatever secondary steps are necessary for full growth. Without giving too much of the game's specific solutions away, these are always something delightfully creative, like playing music or showing the right combination of lights that mimic the plant's growth conditions in the wild. The only herbarium system downside is the information gleaned from clues can't be read there once found, necessitating in some backtracking.
Whereas the last LoL spin-off focused on just one of its champions, Nunu, Bandle Tale delves deeper into the franchise's lore, largely drawing inspiration from the Legends of Runeterra Beyond the Bandlewood expansion. It expands upon the established region of Bandle City and its mysterious Yordle inhabitants, with players taking on the role of a heroic, customizable Yordle whose journey is told storybook-style throughout. A cozy game at heart, the title explores a mix of familiar and lesser-seen mechanics for the genre, combining crafting, cooking, party planning, and magical knitting to create a unique - albeit sometimes very grindy - experience.
Features of this sort would be incredibly helpful for a title like this, especially because the complex supply chain and population management systems implemented have such a solid amount of depth to them. As players expand, it can get hard to keep track of things like where all warehouses or certain resource harvesters have been placed, which is further made an issue by the fact many of the buildings - while aesthetically charming - look quite similar. It would be easier to appreciate the creative management mechanics of the game if there were more ways players could see everything laid out at once and in turn more efficiently run their settlement.
One of the largest mechanics in the game is the player's workshop and its role within the Commerce Guild. While in Portia players contended with rival builder Higgins, this time around they'll form an alliance of sorts with fellow builder Mi-an who arrived in Sandrock at the same time, both working under Guild president Yan. Each commission - which can range from small requests of materials to large-scale pieces like bridge pieces - will earn money, relationship points with the requester, and reputation towards the workshop. The main story unfolds through larger projects, like a rebuilt bridge opening up a new area, making the mechanic feel cohesive and satisfying.