Galacticare
- May 23, 2024
- Brightrock Games
- 30h median play time
Galacticare doesn’t bring anything especially new or unique to the tables besides the settings, but it’s still a worthwhile entry into the hospital management genre.
"Galacticare is a single-player Comedy Platformer where you run an interstellar healthcare company, curing quirky alien conditions while managing doctors, consultants, and facilities. Design, furnish, and upgrade your hospital, meet unique consultants, and explore their mechanics and personalities to save the Galaxy and get paid. Discover, research, and cure various alien conditions, develop relationships with each species, and unlock new skills and playstyle options as you progress."
Reviews
- Charming graphics and voice acting that enhance the overall experience.
- Engaging humor and witty writing that keeps the gameplay entertaining.
- Offers a relaxing gameplay experience with a casual difficulty level, making it accessible for all players.
- Gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, leading to a grindy experience.
- Several bugs and performance issues that can disrupt the flow of the game.
- Limited challenge for experienced players, making it less appealing for those seeking a more complex management sim.
- story125 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story in Galacticare is widely praised for its humor, engaging writing, and unique galactic setting, making it a standout feature of the game. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and the progression of the narrative through various missions, although some note that the gameplay can feel too easy and repetitive at times. Overall, the combination of entertaining storytelling and charming voice acting contributes to a fun and immersive experience, despite some critiques regarding difficulty and mission variety.
“The story is addictive and funny, making me want to play more even though the game is far from being a management challenge.”
“The design, storytelling, voice acting, and worldbuilding are all a major step above what has been in this genre before.”
“Fantastic hospital sim with an interesting setting, humorous story, and engaging mechanics that make you want to keep playing.”
“The writing is poor except at the end that really made me giggle, and the story after the concert chapter felt boring, except the prison which I thought there was going to be a challenge but no, after that it is back to being boring, and most tools that you unlock felt useless.”
“While there are significant visual things related to the story which happens outside of your station, most of the time you will be receiving exposition on what's happening (verbal reactions) in terms of plot.”
“The only drawback was the last scenario - could have gone a better direction with it, or gotten to the story behind the story.”
- humor118 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its sharp writing, engaging voice acting, and clever character interactions, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend satirical and dark humor with a charming narrative, reminiscent of classics like Theme Hospital, while maintaining a lighthearted tone. Overall, the humor is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience and making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
“The writing in this is so sharp and funny, the voice actors are great.”
“Funny writing and amusing animations.”
“The humor is very Hitchhiker's Guide, and never takes itself too seriously.”
“Full of unfunny millennial writing with the same bro comedy as 'wha?!'”
“It's not funny”
- gameplay80 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is often compared to "Two Point Hospital," featuring similar mechanics but with added elements like teleports and room upgrades, creating a more dynamic experience. While the humor and aesthetics are praised, many reviewers note that the gameplay can feel shallow and repetitive, lacking strategic depth and complexity. Overall, it offers a casual and charming experience, though some players desire more challenging mechanics and variety.
“The gameplay is nice - you start with a clean station and grow to a 'chaotic ant clinic' you just love to view and explore.”
“It's a fun successor to the genre, with engaging gameplay, witty humour, and a great aesthetic.”
“The gameplay loop for every single level is copy-paste rooms until you can deal with the footfall.”
“The gameplay is fast and goal-oriented, but accessible enough for any type of gamer.”
“It’s all beautifully written and presented, but the actual gameplay elements feel incredibly phoned in.”
- graphics50 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant and charming art style, impressive animations, and overall aesthetic appeal. Players appreciate the top-notch visuals and voice acting, which enhance the humorous and engaging gameplay experience. However, some users noted performance issues, such as low frame rates on certain hardware, and a desire for a more immersive perspective to fully enjoy the beautiful graphics.
“The graphics, animations, voice acting, and jokes are top notch.”
“The visuals and overall feel of the game are so vibrant, pulpy, and fun in a way that really elevates this game for me.”
“The artwork and animation are stellar, and it's full of quirky characters and witty commentary.”
“The fps is very low even on the lowest graphics settings.”
“Graphically, the UI, soundtrack, animation, music, and voice acting are absolutely top notch.”
“It's similar to those mobile tycoon games but with better graphics and no ads.”
- music22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players noting its catchy and calming nature. While some found the soundtrack to be limited, it was generally described as enjoyable and fitting, with standout moments that elevate the gameplay. Overall, the audio design, including voice acting and sound effects, complements the game's vibrant visuals and engaging mechanics effectively.
“Fun game with amazing music.”
“The writing is great, the visuals are great, the music and voice acting are great...”
“The soundtrack bangs.”
“The wound design is well thought out, the voice actors are fitting, effects sound great, but I have to admit that I am not a fan of those sirens in the soundtrack that pop up every now and then.”
“There's not that many noticeable soundtracks, but what's there never got irritating.”
“My only real complaint would be its lacking a soundtrack that keeps me interested, which is pretty minor.”
- optimization15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with players highlighting significant performance issues, particularly in busy areas, and unbalanced mathematical calculations that hinder achieving higher ratings. While some users report smooth gameplay on mid-tier systems, others experience stuttering and game-breaking bugs, suggesting that the game requires further optimization and quality-of-life improvements to enhance the overall experience.
“Graphically looks great, no bugs I have encountered, runs smoothly, good audio and music, and in general the moment-to-moment play is kind of fun.”
“While performance may drain in a busy populated space station and me wishing there was a better way to make staff prioritize a type of job instead of locking them to a specific room, neither hardly bother me from the hours of entertainment this game has given me so far and I greatly recommend anyone with an interest in these types of games to pick it up if they can.”
“Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly on mostly max settings on a mid-tier system.”
“But achieving a 5-star rating on some hospitals becomes impossible as the math simply won't favor you. You won't have enough patients in the hospital to achieve the performance numbers required, or the economic output you need to get. In some maps, I had to cheat the system by placing five teleporters to bring in more patients, completely breaking the map for a moment. If you treat them quickly, you can achieve those numbers, or you can fire every single doctor just as you are about to finish one cycle so you don’t pay salaries and can earn the money asked. Even in maps where the math is correct, you will just leave the game to play itself for a few hours while your doctors level up and the numbers go up.”
“But again, untested systems, bad mathematical calculations for the 5th star on some maps, and a collection of performance issues and bugs turn an initially interesting and promising experience into a dreadful grind for completionists or, judging by achievement ratios, just make players forget about the game and move on to greener pastures.”
“Game-breaking soft locks and atrocious performance reported by most players suggest this one needs more time in the development phase.”
- stability15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- -13 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with frequent lags, freezes, and crashes reported by users, often requiring force closures. Many players have noted that the game is riddled with bugs, including graphical glitches and pathfinding issues, which have reportedly worsened with recent updates. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game is currently too unstable for a smooth experience, prompting recommendations to wait for fixes before purchasing.
“I played through the orientation with no glitches or issues.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the game is; I've had no performance hiccups during my sessions.”
“The game lags and freezes all the time; GPU usage goes over the roof.”
“At least once per day, the game just freezes on me, and I have to alt-tab out and force close the app.”
“The only problem is that it often crashes and sometimes freezes, which honestly got worse with the latest updates.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the casual gameplay and charm, others note that tasks can become tedious and repetitive, especially during prolonged play sessions. The need to complete numerous tasks for progression can feel forced, leading to a sense of monotony, particularly in decorating and expanding. Overall, while the game is enjoyable in short bursts, it may require significant time investment for those seeking to achieve 5-star ratings or unlocks.
“It is not grinding but forces you to complete the many tasks for the level, and each level gets harder.”
“It has been a long while since I played a game that wasn't grindy, overly complicated, or stuffed with challenges that aren't actually hard to figure out but just so overpowered/timegated that it either comes down to dumb luck or how much time you have to pour into the game with either active or idle gameplay.”
“It is a little tedious getting up to 5 stars as it's just a matter of continuing to expand and expand, sometimes forcing the expansion to get the throughput.”
“Galacticare overall, however, is a fun game to play, yet sometimes repetitive and it does get boring and tedious if being played for a long time, but is a great sci-fi simulation game to play in short bursts!”
“It has been a long while since I played a game that wasn't grindy, overly complicated or stuffed with challenges that aren't actually hard to figure out but just so overpowered/timegated that it either comes down to dumb luck or how much time you have to pour into the game with either active or idle gameplay.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express uncertainty about the initial replay value after completing the campaign, but they are optimistic about potential future updates, such as a map editor and sandbox modes, which could enhance replayability significantly. Additionally, the option to engage in multiple sandbox missions offers further opportunities for replay.
“I'm not sure how great the replay value is going to be upon completion of the campaign; but knowing the studio that made this (or at least their earlier title, War for the Overworld), it's not unlikely to receive a map editor, a more replayable form of sandbox/challenge mode, and/or workshop mod support.”
“Afterwards, you can play multiple sandbox missions; so there is really a lot of replayability.”
“The replay value is quite low, as the main campaign doesn't offer much variation.”
“Afterwards, you can play multiple sandbox missions; however, they feel repetitive and lack depth.”
“While there are some sandbox missions available, they don't significantly enhance the overall replayability of the game.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its fun and lighthearted tone, reminiscent of classic titles like Evil Genius and Dungeon Keeper. Reviewers highlight the engaging writing and animations that contribute to an overall enjoyable experience.
“The humor, writing, and atmosphere are fun.”
“If you've ever thought, 'Man, I wish games with the levity and genuinely fun atmosphere of games like Evil Genius and Dungeon Keeper were still being made today,' look no further than this company.”
“Great atmosphere and animations.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted by fun character designs and rich lore for each species and character, contributing to an engaging narrative experience. While the gameplay may feel slightly repetitive, the snarky humor and charming aesthetics enhance the overall enjoyment of the characters.
“The character design is fun, and there's in-depth lore for each species and character.”
“You can expect snarky humor, a fun if slightly repetitive gameplay loop, and charming world and character design.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
“I was hoping for a deeper exploration of the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional.”
“The choices you make don't seem to impact the characters in any significant way.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game suggests it was originally designed for mobile, evident in its clunky UI and shop interface, which hints at a microtransaction model; however, players appreciate that there are no microtransactions or ads, making it feel more like a premium experience akin to a mobile tycoon game with improved graphics.
“It's similar to those mobile tycoon games but with better graphics and no ads.”
“The game was clearly designed with mobile in mind, but thankfully there aren't any microtransactions.”
“It really looks like the game was created to be a mobile game but at the last minute they changed it to PC. You can see evidence of this by the ugly UI of the main menu and map; even the purple shop looks like it could have been built for microtransactions. Thankfully, there aren't any.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as if the developers are more interested in squeezing money out of players than providing a fair gaming experience.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players found the game to be emotionally impactful, particularly noting that it became touching towards the end, evoking a strong emotional response.
“I even found it to be a bit touching towards the end.”
Critic Reviews
Galacticare PC Review
Galacticare doesn’t bring anything especially new or unique to the tables besides the settings, but it’s still a worthwhile entry into the hospital management genre.
86%Galacticare review
Galacticare is a simple, imaginative management sim with a lot of personality. And really, what more do you need?
80%