Crush the Industry

About

Crush the Industry is a single player tactical role playing game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Cognoggin Games and was released on March 30, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 294 reviews

gameplay52 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features a unique rolling health mechanic that adds a strategic layer to combat, allowing players to survive powerful attacks if they defeat enemies quickly.
The art style and presentation are excellent, with imaginative pixel art and a catchy soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
The humor and satire about the gaming industry resonate well, providing a fun and engaging narrative that keeps players entertained throughout their runs.

The game can feel repetitive after a few runs due to limited content, with only a few unique bosses and enemies, leading to a lack of variety in gameplay.
Many players find the game too easy, especially on lower difficulties, which can diminish the challenge and excitement of roguelike gameplay.
Some humor and themes may come off as mean-spirited or crass, which could alienate certain players who prefer a more lighthearted approach.

gameplay
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The gameplay of this indie title is characterized by its unique mechanics, such as rolling health and a sanity meter, which add depth and strategic variety to the deck-building roguelike experience. Players appreciate the engaging and addictive gameplay loop, enhanced by humorous elements and a distinct art style, although some express concerns about balance and occasional reliance on RNG. Overall, the game successfully merges innovative mechanics with a satirical narrative, making it a refreshing addition to the genre.
- “This is a fantastic game! I really enjoy the rolling health mechanic; it's very unique and means that even if you get hit by a monstrous attack, you can survive if you kill the enemy quickly enough.”
- “The gameplay loop is incredibly addictive — you’ll tell yourself 'just one more run' and somehow find yourself three hours later laughing at another set of absurd in-game references or clutching your controller as you narrowly survive a tough boss.”
- “The unique health and damage mechanics allow the player to use strategies that reward timing and speed, which is something that is almost never seen in the genre.”
- “The main culprit is one of the mechanics it has taken from Earthbound: rolling health.”
- “Gameplay-wise, this is very much a Slay the Spire-like.”
- “The gameplay is a mess.”
humor
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending sharp satire of the gaming industry with quirky, absurd elements that resonate well with players familiar with gaming culture. While many find the humor to be clever and engaging, some critiques point to its niche appeal and occasional mean-spiritedness. Overall, the game's comedic approach, combined with its charming visuals and engaging gameplay, creates a uniquely entertaining experience.
- “I adore the humor and aesthetic; the game pokes fun at gaming culture, especially gaming work culture in ways that only someone in the industry could.”
- “From the very start, the game’s humor and tone stand out—its world feels like a surreal caricature of the modern workplace, populated by toxic co-workers, productivity demons, and mutated project managers who serve as bosses both literally and metaphorically.”
- “The humor is great, particularly if you're familiar with the game dev world.”
music
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
37%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its ability to enhance the gameplay experience and complement the game's atmosphere. Reviewers describe the soundtrack as catchy, energetic, and reminiscent of classic games, making it a standout feature that keeps players engaged throughout their playtime. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its charm and replayability.
- “I’d also like to highlight the soundtrack: I rarely notice a particularly interesting OST in games and most of the time I just turn the music down or disable it entirely, but here I never felt the urge to do that.”
- “The soundtrack supports the atmosphere perfectly, shifting between upbeat electronic tracks and unsettling industrial beats that reflect the grind of corporate life.”
- “The music and sound design give each battle and moment the right amount of energy, keeping the adrenaline flowing from start to finish.”
- “The music is also a very strange choice for a deck builder.”
- “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.”
graphics
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
37%
7%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their charming, colorful pixel-art style reminiscent of classic 16-bit RPGs, particularly Earthbound, which complements its humorous and satirical take on gaming culture. Reviewers appreciate the unique art direction, solid visual design, and cohesive aesthetic that enhance the overall gameplay experience, although some express mixed feelings about specific visual elements. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful experience for fans of quirky and nostalgic visuals.
- “Visually, the game leans into a nostalgic pixel-art style that complements its irreverent tone.”
- “The art direction channels the aesthetics of classic 16-bit RPGs while injecting it with surreal humor and a modern sensibility.”
- “Visuals make me sick.”
- “The core mechanics are well implemented, even if I'm not a fan of all of them (timed hits and slowly decaying HP on damage reward timing and speed respectively, things not normally present in a turn-based deckbuilder.) I happen to like the art style, and there are some accessibility options to tone down visual effects that may cause motion sickness.”
- “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.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
18%
19%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the variety offered by multiple characters and unique strategies, some feel that it may wear thin after a few plays. The engaging gameplay, innovative mechanics, and humorous elements contribute to a strong replay value for those who enjoy exploring different play styles. However, a few reviewers noted that it may not satisfy those seeking extensive replayability typical of roguelikes.
- “It's got engaging gameplay, innovative mechanics, and a ton of replay value.”
- “It already has great replayability, amusing dialogue, interesting characters, and a great soundtrack.”
- “Only downside is I think there's limited replayability.”
- “That's good enough for me, but if you want a roguelike with more replayability than that, this is perhaps not for you.”
- “The learning curve is accessible enough for newcomers to the genre, but the depth of available strategies will appeal to veterans looking for replayability.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The game's story is characterized by its offbeat humor and unpredictability, creating a unique narrative experience with each session. While the plot elements are often simple and revolve around battles and upgrades, the charming pixel art and clever storytelling add depth and enjoyment. Overall, players appreciate the fun and replayable nature of the story, despite its lack of complexity and strategic depth.
- “Very fun game, great graphics and story. The levels are a bit short but very fun and replayable.”
- “The unpredictability of the cards, the offbeat humor, and the evolving challenges combine to make each session a self-contained story of triumph, burnout, and absurdity.”
- “It's a fun deckbuilding roguelike, but it's also got an interesting and funny story and good art.”
- “It doesn't feel like there's great strategy or mastery involved, or more story to reveal.”
- “The game play 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.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game is praised for its strong optimization, particularly for controller support, making it more enjoyable than other card-based roguelikes. It runs efficiently with a small footprint, contributing to a smooth gameplay experience despite the chaotic and absurd setting.
- “Also, it’s very optimized for controller support and plays better than other card-based rogues, including Slay the Spire.”
- “Optimized well, with a small footprint.”
- “Set within a massive game studio filled with absurd characters and over-the-top workplace challenges, it transforms the grind of office politics into a creative battlefield where success is measured not by promotions or performance reviews but by surviving bizarre encounters and maintaining one’s sanity.”
- “Still haven't received a positive performance review, so it's very realistic.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express discomfort and unease regarding certain emotional interactions in the game, particularly highlighting a specific moment involving a character named Gabe that elicited strong negative feelings. This suggests that the game's emotional elements can provoke intense reactions, both positive and negative, depending on the context.
- “It just made me feel deeply uncomfortable and sick when I saw it.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the character development for its great animation and engaging designs, highlighting that the characters are not only visually appealing but also offer diverse gameplay experiences through their unique abilities.
- “So far, the character designs are fun, evocative, and they play differently.”
- “Great animation and character design.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, running smoothly both in handheld mode and while docked with an Xbox controller, with no reported glitches or sound issues.
- “Relatively fast runs and performs great on the deck - usually works well docked with an Xbox controller.”
- “No glitches or bugs with sound effects.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is enhanced by a dynamic soundtrack that alternates between upbeat electronic and unsettling industrial music, effectively mirroring the themes of corporate life. Additionally, the game's combat and numerous references contribute to a rich and engaging environment that resonates with fans of the series.
- “The soundtrack supports the atmosphere perfectly, shifting between upbeat electronic tracks and unsettling industrial beats that reflect the grind of corporate life.”
- “I love the combat and atmosphere of the Mother series, and all the references and memes are excellent.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the seemingly infinite roach/egg system that requires repetitive battles to obtain necessary items. Despite this, many still enjoy the challenge and fun the game offers, indicating that while grinding can be a drawback, it doesn't overshadow the overall 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, but is still fun and challenging!”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users appreciate the monetization strategy, noting that occasional ads on platforms like Reddit can effectively highlight lesser-known games, enhancing their discovery and overall enjoyment.