Another Brick in The Mall

About

Another Brick in The Mall is a single player strategy game. It was developed by The Quadsphere and was released on April 29, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

"Another Brick in the Mall" is a shopping center simulation game that allows players to design, build, and manage their own mall. Players must arrange the layout of the mall, hire staff with suitable skills, and ensure customer satisfaction. The game features detailed simulations of thousands of characters and vehicles for an immersive experience. Players can sell staple goods while also enticing customers with impulse purchases to maximize profits.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,265 reviews

gameplay38 positive mentions

music4 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay that keeps players invested for hours.
Offers a variety of store types and management mechanics, allowing for creative mall designs.
Regular updates from developers show commitment to improving the game and adding new content.

Lacks depth and complexity, leading to repetitive gameplay after a few hours.
User interface can be clunky and unintuitive, making management tedious.
Many features and mechanics are still underdeveloped or missing, such as rotating objects and more diverse store options.

gameplay
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
The gameplay of "Another Brick in the Mall" has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating its engaging core mechanics of mall management and customer interaction, but criticizing its repetitiveness and lack of depth over time. While the game offers a satisfying building experience and strategic planning elements, many users feel that it lacks variety and complexity, leading to a sense of monotony as players progress. Overall, the game shows potential for improvement with ongoing updates, but currently suffers from simplistic mechanics and a need for more content to maintain long-term interest.
- “The core gameplay revolves around designing the layout of the mall to optimize shopper flow and maximize profits.”
- “This economic system encourages careful planning and rewards strategic foresight, making the gameplay both engaging and challenging over the long term.”
- “The gameplay is simple but has that perfect 'one more turn' kind of addiction that you can really get lost in.”
- “It's basically a mobile game on PC, very limited gameplay and it just overall is very flat and boring.”
- “The gameplay is boring; after you build all the structures you can, you don't want to 'start a new game' because you have nothing to 'fight' for.”
- “Unfortunately at the moment it lacks in depth and the gameplay is pretty boring.”
graphics
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a clean, retro-inspired 2D art style that, while simplistic, effectively supports the management gameplay. Many players appreciate the quirky and cute visuals, which enhance the overall experience despite some minor bugs and graphical glitches. Overall, the graphics are deemed pleasant and fitting for the game's theme, drawing comparisons to titles like "Prison Architect" while prioritizing clarity and functionality over high-end aesthetics.
- “Visually, Another Brick in the Mall embraces a clean, retro-inspired 2D art style that might seem simplistic at first glance but is effective in conveying the game's mechanics and scope.”
- “Although it doesn't focus on flashy graphics, the visual style fits the game’s management-oriented gameplay perfectly, prioritizing clarity and function over aesthetic complexity.”
- “The art style is amazing and the level of detail is great.”
- “The game is enjoyable enough, but it is full of small bugs and graphical glitches.”
- “The bad: graphics and engine look way too similar to Prison Architect to ignore.”
- “I’m ok with minimalistic graphics but this is really bad.”
music
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
74%
15%
The music aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting the absence of a soundtrack, which leads them to mute the game and listen to their own music or podcasts instead. While some appreciate the cozy and simplistic nature of the existing sounds, others find the lack of variety and engaging music creates a dull atmosphere. Overall, players express a desire for more diverse and fitting music options to enhance the gameplay experience.
- “The music is fitting & decent.”
- “I've always liked these types of management games, and was a bit wary of this one just seeing the pictures but the video that is connected to the Steam page sold me (awesome choice of music for the trailer).”
- “For this game being in early release it is very good, yes it doesn't have music yet and it's missing some crucial sound effects, and it has a few frustrating features that take a bit to get used to (one being the lack of being able to rotate objects), but once you put on some AC/DC or some other music you may like in the background and give it some time you will begin to get hooked on the game, and you may find yourself filling the giant map that you start with.”
- “I tend to turn off the music and sound to games I multitask with, like this game.”
- “No music provides a boring and stale atmosphere.”
- “I couldn't get over the lack of in-game sounds or soundtrack.”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
76%
12%
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with many users noting it functions primarily as a sandbox simulation without a narrative. While some players express a desire for a more structured story mode or missions to enhance gameplay, the current experience focuses on building and managing a shopping mall without complex story elements. Overall, the lack of a compelling storyline is seen as a missed opportunity for deeper engagement.
- “I always looked forward to continuing my quest to make a big and profitable shopping mall every day, and wasn't bored.”
- “I can't wait to see what they add next; I am hoping for missions or scenarios.”
- “Maybe some funny storylines or some events that could happen.”
- “☑ worst story ever”
- “It just doesn't have the same story-generating power as some of the top management sim games.”
- “There is no story (not needed), just sandbox mode; you start with a brief tutorial explaining the basics, and from then on you're on your own.”
stability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
96%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting a variety of bugs, glitches, and AI issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players have noted that the game is playable and enjoyable despite these problems, the consensus is that it remains a "buggy mess" that requires substantial fixes to reach its potential. Overall, the game's stability issues have led to mixed feelings, with some players unable to recommend it due to frequent frustrations.
- “The graphics work well for the type of game, providing a stable visual experience.”
- “There's plenty of room to build, which contributes to the overall stability of gameplay.”
- “The game is pretty bug-free and plays well, ensuring a smooth and stable experience.”
- “As of 2025, the game is still as much of a buggy mess as it was in pre-release.”
- “This game is too buggy for me to recommend at this moment. I haven't played for long, but I've already experienced a couple of small bugs and one game-breaking bug.”
- “I have tried for so long to play this game and not get mad at the huge masses of glitches, but I cannot stand it anymore.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying its quirky graphics and funny character designs, including exaggerated features like large heads. Many find the comedic elements, such as parodic mods and amusing in-game situations, to enhance the overall experience, making it a lighthearted and entertaining simulator. However, some players express a desire for more engaging storylines or events to further enrich the humor.
- “Quirky, funny, well fleshed out and well worth the price point.”
- “Quite a funny game you can spend some hours on... many cool details and so on.”
- “Very funny tycoon/sim!”
replayability
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
52%
16%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find potential for varied playthroughs and creativity in builds, many criticize it for lacking depth and options, leading to a limited experience after the initial playthrough. The modding community's involvement could enhance replay value, but currently, the game feels basic and repetitive for most users. Despite some positive notes on hidden depths and recent updates, many agree that significant improvements are needed for a more engaging replay experience.
- “However, repeated playthroughs expose hidden depths, with much more replayability than meets the eye.”
- “- This game has a huge amount of replay value, as you can build differently every time, and be creative with your builds and scenery.”
- “With that amount of replay value, you should easily get your money’s worth out of it.”
- “There's really not a whole lot of replayability since there's not a lot of different ways you can approach the game, and mods can only do so much to save you from the doldrums of post-enlightenment since the modding API is rather limited in what it can actually do.”
- “The ugly: replayability is nonexistent.”
- “If you are looking for something to pass some time, sure, you could pick this up, but replayability is low; there is no real depth to the game and some of the mechanics are tedious.”
optimization
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance with high frame rates and minimal bugs, others note that it still requires improvements, especially given its early access status. Many users appreciate the game's performance relative to similar titles, but there are calls for further optimization and content enhancements to elevate the experience.
- “FPS never became an issue for me; the game seems well optimized.”
- “I should also say performance is stronger than most games of this type.”
- “As far as I can tell, the game does not have any major performance issues.”
- “First of all, it is poorly optimized.”
- “I understand that this game is in early access; yes, early access games lack content, optimization, and bug fixing.”
- “Early access games are often plagued by poor performance and lack of optimization (I'm looking at you, Prison Architect).”
grinding
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
6%
88%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, particularly when it comes to tasks like placing objects and managing larger stores. Many reviews highlight that the grind for achievements and the repetitive nature of gameplay can lead to a lack of enjoyment and aimlessness, especially as the game progresses. While some players are willing to endure the grind for completion, the consensus is that it detracts significantly from the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I persisted through it for all the achievements, but found the game to be oh so tedious and boring.”
- “If you are looking for something to pass some time, sure, you could pick this up, but replayability is low, there is no real depth to the game and some of the mechanics are tedious as hell.”
- “The micromanagement can quickly become tedious if you look to build on a large scale or have lots of stores running.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The atmosphere is characterized as basic, featuring smooth, cartoony visuals that create a calmer environment amidst the repetitive gameplay. However, the lack of music contributes to a boring and stale ambiance, diminishing overall engagement. Additionally, customer reactions to spending are influenced by the atmosphere, suggesting a potential for deeper interaction.
- “The smooth, cartoony drawings create a calmer atmosphere, balancing the heavy burden of repeated clicking and the continual management skills required.”
- “Atmosphere development allows customers to react to how they spend money based on the overall ambiance.”
- “The feel and atmosphere are pretty basic.”
- “The smooth, cartoony drawings provide a calmer atmosphere than the heavy burden of repeated clicking and continual management skills that you must deploy.”
- “The lack of music creates a boring and stale atmosphere.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users highlight that monetization strategies, such as advertising investments and expansion decisions, are crucial for business success within the game. They suggest that options for targeted advertising could enhance customer acquisition and profitability, indicating a desire for more flexible spending choices in hiring and marketing.
- “Decisions such as when to expand, how much to spend on advertising, and which new store types to introduce can make or break the business.”
- “An advertising option could be useful for increasing customers and profits, even if just for a short time.”
- “Is there any chance of having a hire option so you can spend maybe $1000 for web advertising or $500 for newspaper advertising, etc.? It would be a better way of hiring people, in my opinion.”