Homeseek

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 125 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Homeseek Game Cover
Homeseek is a punishingly bleak post-apocalyptic city builder where every action feels consequential.
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"Homeseek is a strategy game with single-player and multiplayer modes, including PvP. In a post-apocalyptic world, lead survivors to rebuild civilization in two campaigns across 9 scenarios, with multiple game modes. Expand your settlement, manage resources, and research advancements to ensure survival and growth."

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 125 reviews
story18 positive mentions
optimization2 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique blend of survival strategy and storytelling, with engaging mechanics that challenge players to make tough decisions.
  • The graphics and atmosphere are well-crafted, immersing players in a post-apocalyptic world where resource management is crucial.
  • The expedition mechanics add variety and depth to the gameplay, allowing players to explore and gather resources while facing moral dilemmas.
  • The game suffers from linearity, often forcing players to follow a specific path with limited choices, which can diminish the sense of agency.
  • Resource management can be frustrating due to bugs and poorly explained mechanics, particularly with the piping system and connections between buildings.
  • The pacing can feel off, with some players experiencing long periods of waiting for resources or citizens, leading to a lack of engagement.
  • story51 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by a strong linear narrative that integrates engaging storytelling with strategic gameplay, making it a compelling experience for players. While some reviewers appreciate the immersive atmosphere and well-paced chapters, others find the story lacking depth compared to similar titles in the genre. Overall, the narrative is seen as interesting and well-told, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more open-ended or complex storyline.

    • “What sets this game apart is its expedition aspect, which injects storytelling into the gameplay, making each journey a compelling adventure rather than just resource collection.”
    • “Overall, this game offers a captivating blend of strategy and storytelling, making it a must-play for fans of survival games.”
    • “The seamless integration of captivating atmosphere and engaging storytelling makes it a unique and immersive experience.”
    • “Overall, the game is fairly simple compared to previously mentioned games, with just three basic resources and not much in-depth story, which I was hoping for to be something like a Fallout city builder.”
    • “This isn't a game you play; you just need to rush everything and find out how the developers want you to finish the storyline.”
    • “The story is split up into different scenarios, so as you advance from one level to the next, your progress (resource count, population, etc.) doesn't carry over.”
  • gameplay28 mentions

    The gameplay offers a mix of strategic city-building and survival mechanics, with a strong emphasis on impactful decision-making and resource management, particularly involving water. While the game features intriguing expedition mechanics that enhance storytelling, it suffers from convoluted explanations of certain systems, which can hinder player engagement. Overall, it presents a challenging experience with potential for depth, though some mechanics may require refinement for better accessibility.

    • “What sets this game apart is its expedition aspect, which injects storytelling into the gameplay, making each journey a compelling adventure rather than just resource collection.”
    • “Its challenging gameplay, strategic base building, and well-crafted narrative make it a standout title in the genre.”
    • “A great attempt at the survival city genre, with some refreshing mechanics and captivating storytelling.”
    • “The game struggles to engage players due to its poor explanations of mechanics, particularly the perplexing and convoluted piping system, especially when it involves pumps.”
    • “If you played Frostpunk, this has the same gameplay but it lacks the personality of Frostpunk.”
    • “As far as the gameplay is concerned, Homeseek gives you hard choices to make and boxes your ears when you make the wrong ones.”
  • graphics16 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the atmospheric artwork and effective world-building that enhances the post-apocalyptic setting. However, criticisms include a lack of graphical options, screen tearing issues, and a divisive art style characterized by yellowish and brown tones. Overall, while the visuals contribute to the game's immersive experience, they are not universally appreciated.

    • “Excellent world-building through very atmospheric artwork!”
    • “The atmosphere and the visuals are great.”
    • “The game's desert visuals are pretty cool, immersing you in a harsh and arid world with sand as far as the eye can see.”
    • “Terrible game....terrible graphics.”
    • “There's a lack of graphical options, including an absence of V-Sync leading to a ton of screen tearing.”
    • “I don't really like the art style of yellowish and brown colors.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its haunting soundtrack, detailed environments, and effective world-building, which together create an immersive and intense experience. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of atmosphere with storytelling, enhancing the overall enjoyment and engagement with the game. The desolate and bleak mood is effectively captured, making players feel the weight of their actions as they navigate the game world.

    • “The seamless integration of captivating atmosphere and engaging storytelling makes it a unique and immersive experience.”
    • “This game is *dripping* in atmosphere and it nails it every single step of the way.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack immerses you in the barren atmosphere, enhancing the experience of navigating this dead world.”
    • “It captures the desolate atmosphere of the game world, making every moment feel more intense, adding to my overall enjoyment.”
    • “This game is dripping in atmosphere and it nails it every single step of the way.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting beauty and immersive quality, effectively enhancing the barren atmosphere of the post-apocalyptic setting. Reviewers highlight how the soundtrack captivates players from the main menu and complements the storytelling and environmental design, creating a compelling and atmospheric experience.

    • “As for the music, it's hauntingly beautiful and immersive.”
    • “It captivates you right when you hit the main menu; the music is amazing.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack immerses you in the barren atmosphere, enhancing the experience of navigating this dead world.”
    • “The subtle music in the background, the ticking of the clock whenever something happens, the dusty post-apocalyptic desert everywhere you go, the scrapwork designs of the buildings, the constant struggle against the elements to get a drop of water before more people die.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, user reviews indicate a mixed experience with stability; while some players report a bug-free experience, others have encountered significant issues, particularly after the initial return window.

    • “I am also happy that the game didn't release in early access and, for me at least, has been bug-free.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any major issues.”
    • “It's refreshing to play a game that runs smoothly without constant crashes or bugs.”
    • “Then, just when the two-hour return window closes, chapter 1.3 goes to buggy-buggy bug hell.”
    • “It's also still pretty buggy.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is criticized for being poorly optimized, with users noting excessive GPU usage and suggesting that there is significant room for improvement in its performance.

    • “It's a shame, but this is currently an unoptimized mess.”
    • “I don't know why the game is so GPU intensive; I think there might be some optimizations to be had.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Replayability in Homeseek is highlighted as a strong point, with players expressing a desire to return after completing the game. However, some users note that once the game is finished, there isn't much incentive to replay it.

    • “Replayability is definitely a strong suit for Homeseek, and I can see myself coming back to it again after I finish it.”
    • “Once you've done that, there isn't a whole lot of replayability.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers suggest that enhancing character development would significantly increase the emotional weight of potential character deaths, thereby adding greater depth to the overall narrative experience.

    • “More detailed character development could make their potential deaths even more impactful, adding another layer of emotional depth to the game.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional, lacking the growth and complexity that would make their journeys more engaging.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, which diminished my investment in their stories.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviewers suggest that enhancing character development could significantly increase the emotional impact of pivotal moments, such as character deaths, thereby adding greater depth to the game's emotional experience.

    • “More detailed character development could make their potential deaths even more impactful, adding another layer of emotional depth to the game.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it genuinely funny and reminiscent of the dark comedic elements found in Frostpunk.

    • “Really funny, reminds me of Frostpunk!”
    • “The humor is spot on and keeps the gameplay light-hearted.”
    • “I love the witty dialogue and clever puns throughout the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

29hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
27-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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