Artist Life Simulator

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 113 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • story
Artist Life Simulator Game Cover
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Immerse yourself in "Artist Life Simulator" , a roguelite game set in a decadent 19th-century alternative history. Survive as a classical artist, navigating unique feelings, poverty, and worldly troubles while painting masterpieces. Interact with hundreds of lovingly painted cards, each representing various aspects of life in Oportunia, the world capital of contemporary art, and create new opportunities for engagement.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 113 reviews
gameplay11 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique and immersive experience, capturing the struggles of being a starving artist in a beautifully crafted 19th-century setting.
  • Players appreciate the clever mechanics of managing emotions and resources, which adds depth and strategy to the gameplay.
  • The art style and music are well-received, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making the game engaging and enjoyable.
  • The game suffers from significant RNG issues, leading to frustrating experiences where players can easily lose progress due to bad luck.
  • Many players find the difficulty level to be excessively punishing, with a lack of clear guidance on how to achieve victory conditions.
  • The reliance on AI-generated art has drawn criticism, with some players feeling it undermines the authenticity of the artistic experience the game aims to portray.
  • gameplay40 mentions

    The gameplay is a blend of familiar mechanics from "Cultist Simulator" and new elements that create a unique experience, though it lacks a clear introduction to its complex systems. While the visuals and core mechanics are well-executed, the randomness can detract from engagement, making it feel less strategic at times. Overall, it offers an intriguing mix of card-based gameplay and resource management, appealing to fans of indie games, but may frustrate those seeking a more structured experience.

    • “Much of the strategy and gameplay center around how to invest limited resources and limited actions to create a stable but growing loop.”
    • “The gameplay keeps you interested and guessing, with lots of different situations to handle.”
    • “It's a fun game that makes good use of the gameplay without overcomplicating it, like Cultist Simulator sometimes does.”
    • “No real introduction to the complex mechanics of the game and no game progression in the complexity, just bam - random assortment of feelings, inspirations, places, characters, thoughts, ideas, memories... which all interact differently with each other but we won't tell you how!”
    • “Even when you understand the game mechanics and have a strategy, the game is way too random!”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's nothing to write home about.”
  • music17 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere and supporting the narrative, with many players finding it enjoyable and immersive. However, some users noted that the sound effects can be unbalanced and the music may become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of music and art contributes significantly to the game's appeal, with players expressing a desire for more musical content in potential future expansions.

    • “In Cultist Simulator, where the whole narrative involves becoming a force among the grand conflicts of gods, a cresting tale of that impact is well supported, and the extra little touches (light cracking through a panel, unique art & music) help to really feel the triumph of your win.”
    • “The music helped to maintain the mood, and I love painting all my stress and fears away!”
    • “I enjoy the music and the ambient sound effects, the animated puffs of forgotten memories and events add to the immersion.”
    • “The music works for the game, though it got really repetitive in a hurry.”
    • “This is one game I actually turn the music/sound off and let a podcast play in the background.”
    • “The little doodles that appear and music cues that hit when something goes very wrong or very right... it was tragic.”
  • story9 mentions

    The story in the game is praised for its warmth and depth, effectively capturing the struggles and triumphs of an artist's life through a unique card-based storytelling mechanic. Players appreciate how the narrative feels like a tribute to artists, with emergent storytelling that enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the story is seen as a compelling and engaging element that complements the game's mechanics.

    • “I love the overall story that I played during the demo and when I first bought the game.”
    • “I couldn't get into Cultist Simulator, but Artist Life Simulator has a warmth to its storytelling and presentation that made the punishing mechanics feel worthwhile to me.”
    • “Gameplay and story-wise, it’s more akin to a digital board game than a traditional simulation game.”
    • “It didn't necessarily feel like a loss, just the end of that artist's story.”
    • “That both reflect your ability and where you are in the story going up this tree is how progress in the game.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for effectively capturing the essence of a "tortured artist" lifestyle, reminiscent of early 20th-century Paris. Players appreciate the immersive experience, enhanced by mellow music and the potential for diverse, impactful life choices, contributing to a rich and engaging environment. Overall, the atmosphere is described as enjoyable and deeply atmospheric, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “But the atmosphere is great and the game delivers on its promise well enough.”
    • “What it really excels at is the game's ability to create that 'tortured-artist' atmosphere.”
    • “It's got super mellow music and atmosphere, and you can die as a homeless alcoholic or go mad and join a cult.”
    • “What it really excels at is the game's ability to create that 'tortured artist' atmosphere.”
    • “Somewhat less cryptic, more into atmosphere and immersion.”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their appealing art style and unique visual elements, contributing positively to the overall experience. Users appreciate the combination of good graphics and decent sound, enhancing the gameplay. However, some players feel that the game may not cater to their specific demographic preferences.

    • “Good graphics, decent sound, great gameplay.”
    • “I love the art style, the writing, and very interesting mechanics that I have never seen before in card games.”
    • “The graphics department and the music are really nice.”
    • “Maybe I'm not the demographic for this game.”
    • “There are two kinds of visuals.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game; while some appreciate the challenge and don't mind the reset of progress, others find it tedious and lacking direction, particularly when specific resources are needed. The endgame can feel repetitive due to a lack of new mechanics, making it less engaging for those who prefer exploration over grinding.

    • “In other games, I’d consider this a flaw in game design, where that inability to see what this is all leading to makes the game feel tedious and pointless.”
    • “For 'the life saved' path, you need 1 of 2 specific green feelings, but without a consistent way to get those feelings you just keep grinding away, hoping to unlock one of them.”
    • “There is a lack of new mechanisms in the last part, so endgames may be tedious if you do not have a taste for time- and hand-management.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is portrayed as a realistic exploration of the struggles faced by artists, both historically and in contemporary times. However, some reviewers criticize the game for its ironic stance on artistic authenticity, suggesting it undermines the emotional depth it seeks to convey by relying on algorithmic processes that diminish the value of genuine artistic effort. Overall, while the game attempts to address the emotional challenges of creativity, it faces backlash for its perceived hypocrisy.

    • “It's also (in my humble opinion) pretty realistic in presenting the emotional vicissitudes of life as a struggling artist, today as much as in the 19th century.”
    • “For example, working out unwanted emotional conditions by putting them into the product of your work is something that works regardless of what you do for a living.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Users generally find the humor in the game to be both exciting and amusing, contributing positively to their overall experience.

    • “I found it rather exciting and funny.”
    • “The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch!”
    • “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and hilarious situations.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players note that while the initial campaign can be completed in about five hours with a significant victory, the overall replayability is limited, suggesting that once the campaign is finished, there isn't much incentive to play again.

    • “I finished the first campaign with a major victory in just 5 hours; beyond that, there isn't much replayability.”
    • “Once you've completed the main storyline, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The game lacks variety in its missions, making it feel repetitive after the first playthrough.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Artist Life Simulator

Play time

15hMedian play time
23hAverage play time
13-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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