Simulation Games

Planet Zoo: Console Edition – PS5 Review

10Apr

By Mike DifferNo Comments

Planet Zoo: Console Edition – PS5 Review

Planet Zoo: Console Edition is a zoo builder and management sim game where you build a safe space for numerous animals big and small. It was developed and published by the British company Frontier Developments (Planet Coaster, F1 Manager 2023). It is undoubtedly a spiritual successor to Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2, which the team at Frontier brought us. With my review based on the PS5 version the game is also available now on Xbox series X|S. You can check out Kevin's review of the PC version and how it compares. There's a place for all animals big and small in Planet Zoo I was excited to play Planet Zoo as it eventually made its way from PC to consoles after 5 years. Real-life zoos have their share of problems but it did feel nice to (digitally) help conservation for all sorts of ani...

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator – PC Review

26Mar

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator – PC Review

Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is the newest addition to the simulation genre. Developed by Simteract who pride themselves on premium simulation games, and published by Nacon. The game is an introduction to the highs and lows of being a taxi driver in the bustling city of Barcelona. Launched on the 7th of March 2024, this game is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Realistic? This game revolves around, you guessed it, being a Taxi driver. You climb into the driver's seat of your car and the start of your business. Will you create a Taxi empire? Let me know below how you got on with the game! Gameplay As simple as the game may seem, it does have a lot to offer. You begin your journey with a driving test. In no way similar to those that we are used to, i...

18Mar

By Didi1 Comment

PC Reviews

SUMMERHOUSE – PC Review

Published by Future Friends Games, SUMMERHOUSE is the latest release from Friedemann Allmenröder. Previously having worked on titles such as ISLANDERS and Superflight, this is their first solo effort, and what a delightful game it is. Building Buildings For this review, the game was played via Steam and worked brilliantly, as it's not a demanding game. The fact that it costs just £3.99 makes it very accessible to gamers and a perfect gift to friends as a tiny gesture of appreciation. If you want to add more cozy games to your library, feel free to check out Mike's review of Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator. Gameplay The best way to describe SUMMERHOUSE is that it's exactly what it says on the tin, "A tiny building game about beautiful lived-in houses. No rules or restrictions, just pu...

Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator – PC Review

6Mar

By Mike DifferNo Comments

PC Reviews

Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator – PC Review

Garden Life is a first-person narrative & life-sim where you manage the community garden of a small, sleepy village. While the garden grows you also contribute to the village and its residents and quickly find your place here. Thankfully for someone like me who doesn't have a green thumb, Garden Life was easy to get into. At its root, Garden Life is a narrative game but gardening is the main gameplay mechanic with tasks and quests. However, if that's not what you're looking for there is creative mode, a sandbox version of the game. Gardening here is a simplified version of the task similar to Stardew Valley or home improvement in House Flipper but still simulates realistic responsibilities and obstacles. The game is the latest release from developers Still Alive Games (Bus Simula...

6Mar

By Kyle A McGrathNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Winter Survival – PC Preview

Winter Survival is an open-world survival game published by and additionally published by HeartBeat Games and DRAGO Entertainment, and also developed by DRAGO Entertainment. Winter Survival is in early access and set to release on March 6th of this year on Steam, PlayStation and Xbox. If you want to try it for yourself, a demo of the game on Steam is available now. Don't Get Cold Feet... Literally Danny (the player character) and his friend Joel go on a winter hike, which takes a turn for the worst when wolves attack. After being separated, Danny must find a way to survive the elements, wildlife and hallucination coming his way in hopes of rescue and reuniting with Joel. Hunt and evade animals, gather materials, survive the elements, and craft the tools you need to stave off starvation a...

20Feb

By JasonNo Comments

Previews & Early Access

Timberborn – PC Preview

Timberborn by Polish devs Mechanistry, is a single-player city-building game that is available in Early Access on PC. With elements of The Settlers and Sim City, entwined with some serious furry beaver action, is this the builder game you've been knawing after? Release the Power of the Beaver! Without humans on the planet, Beavers are now the dominant species. Can you successfully grow from a small colony all the way to an engineering marvel of a city? Let's see how I got on. Gameplay Established in 2019 and having been in early access since September 2021, Timberborn has just had it's 5th update and shows no sign of slowing down. Starting as the Folktails faction you begin your colonisation journey. There is another faction that you can unlock once you fulfil the criteria of a ...

Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge PC Review

30Jan

By Jordan RookerNo Comments

PC Reviews

Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge PC Review

Offroad Truck Simulator: Heavy Duty Challenge (formerly Heavy Duty Challenge) is a simulation game with - you guessed it - heavy-duty trucks. It was developed by Nano Games (Zamb!, Cityconomy, Reef Shot) and published by simulation giant Aerosoft. It is available now on Steam, PS5, and Xbox series X|S. Take your heavy truck on the road, or off, or complete a variety of challenging courses. Shifting is Important in Heavy Duty Challenge Simulation games seem to come in all shapes and sizes. Basically, think about any job or vehicle and there's probably some simulation game out there for it. If there isn't, then what are you waiting for? Go make it! Anyhow, I hadn't really thought of there being a competitive component to driving a heavy truck until I heard about Heavy Duty Challenge. In hi...

23Jan

By Kyle A McGrathNo Comments

PlayStation Reviews

War Hospital – PS5 Review

War Hospital is a management game and medical simulator set in World War 1. Published by Nacon and developed by Brave Lamb Studios L.A. Released on 11/01/2024, War Hospital is available for £34.99 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, or £24.99 on Steam. Well, You Can't Save Everyone You are the bridge between the soldiers and victory. Help as many soldiers as possible, make tough decisions and help the war effort. Manage your hospital and its limited resources, hire Doctors and Nurses, keep staff and soldiers alive and raise their morale. Gameplay In War Hospital, players must hire staff, treat soldiers, care for the staff and soldier's wellbeing, and defend the hospital from attacks. Before any of that, the player needs to hire staff to keep the patients and hospital going. T...

Disney Dreamlight Valley: A Rift in Time DLC – PC Review

22Jan

By DidiNo Comments

PC Reviews

Disney Dreamlight Valley: A Rift in Time DLC – PC Review

The latest update Disney Dreamlight Valley (DDLV) welcomes Jack Skellington and the addition of a brand new paid expansion pack, A Rift in Time. Published by Gameloft, Disney Dreamlight Valley was first released in early access on September 6th, 2022 for most consoles and PCs. Since then, Gameloft has steadily released free updates every 3 - 6 months, including new characters, stories, quests, and more. The game officially came out of early access on December 5th, 2023. A Rift in Time is the latest addition and is the first paid update that is currently retailing for £24.99 on PC. It is important to note that this does require the base game which is £33.49. Disney Dreamlight Valley - Scrapping Free-To-Play Model Originally Disney Dreamlight Valley was marketed to be a Free-To-Play...

Sims 4: For Rent Expansion Pack – PC Review

10Jan

By Olivia HoultonNo Comments

PC Reviews

Sims 4: For Rent Expansion Pack – PC Review

Simmers rejoice! The development team at Electronic Arts have brought us a new expansion pack; The Sims 4 For Rent. In this expansion pack players will now be able to build residential rentals that enable creativity with multi-family dwellings. The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack is available to buy now on Xbox, PlayStation and PC for £34.99. EA has also added an early purchase incentive. You can bring the night market flavour home with a bonus grill cart, a street umbrella and a fruit basket if you order the For Rent Expansion Pack between November 2nd and January 18th. Are you ready to own a property empire? Since it was announced, I've been incredibly excited to play The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack and I know I'm not alone. This expansion pack has been highly anticipated by the Sims...