Crush the Industry
- March 30, 2023
- Cognoggin Games
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Crush the Industry" is a simulation game where you build and manage your own manufacturing empire. Produce and sell a variety of goods, invest in research and development, and dominate the market to become the top industrial tycoon. With challenging economic systems and customizable factories, this game offers a deep and engaging experience for strategy and management enthusiasts.
PC
Steam Deck
Web Browser
Windows
Reviews
- The game features incredible designs and characterization, with a humorous and satirical take on game development that resonates with players.
- Gameplay is engaging and offers a unique blend of deckbuilding mechanics with Earthbound-inspired combat, providing a fresh experience in the roguelike genre.
- The art style and music are both praised for their charm and quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Character and enemy abilities lack differentiation, leading to repetitive gameplay and a feeling of stagnation in strategy as players often gravitate towards the same builds.
- The game can feel overly reliant on RNG, making it frustrating when runs are heavily influenced by luck rather than player skill or strategy.
- As an early access title, the game currently suffers from a lack of content, including limited bosses and character variety, which may detract from long-term replayability.
- gameplay37 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its depth and variety, featuring unique mechanics that encourage strategic thinking and experimentation. While many players appreciate the engaging and rewarding combat system, some express concerns about balance and RNG elements that can detract from the experience. Overall, the combination of interesting mechanics, beautiful art, and solid music contributes to a fun and refreshing roguelike experience.
“Pros, amazing gameplay.”
“The gameplay mechanics have so much depth that I keep playing to try out a new mechanic.”
“Gameplay is fast and satisfying, and the music is a 10/10, to be honest.”
“Right now, I think it needs more variety; some skills are way more powerful, and it ends up steering my runs towards a more samey build. It could benefit from exclusive skills that only some characters may find, and better balance for some mechanics so they are worth investing in.”
“The rethink mechanic reduces the RNG a bit, but since it's RNG too, it doesn't do a very good job of it.”
“Some mechanics need additional balancing.”
- humor29 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its relatability, clever satire of the gaming industry, and engaging dialogue, often drawing comparisons to beloved titles like Earthbound. Players appreciate the quirky, cartoonish art style and the abundance of funny references that resonate with gaming culture, making the experience both entertaining and memorable. However, some critiques note that the humor can be blunt or feel like a caricature of industry figures, which may not appeal to everyone.
“Hilarious setting that has me chuckling at the combat dialogue even on repeat runs.”
“The humor is incredibly blunt.”
“There are lots of funny quips to keep the game engaging and entertaining, and you'll find yourself laughing like I did, I'm sure.”
- music21 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchiness and nostalgic quality, enhancing the overall experience with its beautiful and engaging soundtrack. Many players appreciate the pairing of the music with the game's art style, noting that it contributes significantly to the atmosphere and enjoyment of gameplay. However, some users have mentioned issues with sound control, indicating a desire for better audio management options.
“Leaving aside the beautiful gameplay, I must say that I love the art of the game and if you have played the Mother saga or EarthBound, they will remind you a lot since they are very inspired by those games. Also, the enemies are quite creative and original, and the music is quite beautiful; you will enjoy listening to it in every fight.”
“The backgrounds are psychedelic, the music is catchy, and the enemy sprites all feel retro.”
“Gameplay is fast and satisfying, and the music is a 10/10, to be honest.”
“It's like having TV static, but it's from the music.”
“I can't really even play without music on though because I'll miss when the tempo goes up or down, so I'm forced to listen to it.”
“Can't control music over other sound; you either lower everything or play with music loud as hell.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, pixelated art style reminiscent of Earthbound, featuring bright colors and a cartoonish aesthetic that appeals to fans of gaming culture. While some players find the art style lacking in charm, many appreciate its humor and unique design, which enhances the overall experience of the roguelike gameplay. Overall, the visuals are well-received for their fun and engaging presentation.
“I especially like the brightly colored, cartoonish art style and goofy sense of humor.”
“The aesthetic of the game is fun with a great color scheme, giving me Earthbound vibes.”
“The aesthetics of this game have plenty of charm, with a unique pixelated art style and humor that anyone familiar with gaming culture could understand, not necessarily just devs.”
“The art style and tone is a satirical take on game development as well as the gaming community as a whole.”
“The general aesthetic of the whole game is very heavily inspired by Earthbound and I think it works incredibly well.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game features an engaging and humorous story that complements its deckbuilding roguelike mechanics, with clever storytelling that resonates with players' real-life experiences. Additionally, it serves as a prelude to the narrative of Stardew Valley, enhancing its appeal. The art style further enriches the overall storytelling experience.
“It's a fun deckbuilding roguelike, but it's also got an interesting and funny story and good art.”
“The gameplay and clever storytelling remind me of the haunting realities of my corporate day job.”
“This game is basically the prelude to the story plot of Stardew Valley.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find grinding in the game to be a mixed experience; while some enjoy the challenge and are willing to invest hours into it, others note that the infinite roach/egg system can lead to tedious gameplay as they repeatedly cycle through tasks to obtain necessary items. Overall, the game is seen as fun but still requires some quality-of-life improvements to enhance the grinding experience.
“The roach/egg system appears to be infinite, so it can become a very tedious battle as you cycle until you have the right stuff to deal with it.”
“This game is still definitely grinding the kinks out with some quality of life improvements, but is still fun and challenging!”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its engaging dialogue, diverse character interactions, and multiple build paths, complemented by a captivating soundtrack. Players find themselves drawn back for new experiences and strategies.
“It already has great replayability, amusing dialogue, interesting characters, and a great soundtrack.”
“Lots of interesting build paths and replayability.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is praised for its engaging and diverse designs, which not only look appealing but also offer distinct gameplay experiences, enhancing player immersion and enjoyment.
“The character designs are fun, evocative, and each one plays differently.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful.”
“The depth of the characters' backstories adds so much richness to the overall experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its engaging combat and rich references, which resonate well with fans of the Mother series. Players appreciate the nostalgic elements and the overall immersive experience it creates.
“The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its unique world.”
“I love the combination of the haunting soundtrack and the detailed environments that create such a captivating atmosphere.”
“The game's atmosphere is filled with tension and mystery, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users noting that it reflects a realistic performance that has yet to impress.
“The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
“I constantly experience lag and stuttering, which ruins the immersion.”
“The optimization is so bad that I have to lower the graphics settings significantly just to get a stable frame rate.”
