House Flipper
- May 17, 2018
- Empyrean
- 17h median play time
House Flipper is one of those titles that you just don't expect to be as good as it is. Seriously, play this videogame.
In House Flipper, you become a house renovation expert, buying, repairing, and furnishing derelict homes for profit. Use various tools to clean, demolish, and construct your way to successful flips. With a variety of customization options and the freedom to design each home to your liking, House Flipper offers a satisfying and engaging home improvement experience.
Reviews
- gameplay2,997 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "House Flipper" is characterized by its intuitive mechanics that allow players to easily engage in house renovation tasks such as cleaning, painting, and furnishing. While many players find the gameplay relaxing and satisfying, it can become repetitive over time, especially without the additional content provided by DLCs. Overall, the game offers a blend of casual gameplay and creative freedom, making it appealing for those looking to unwind, though some mechanics may feel clunky or underdeveloped.
“The gameplay is intuitive, making it easy for anyone to jump in and start flipping houses right away.”
“The balance between casual gameplay and creative freedom makes it a perfect game for unwinding, while the business side of things adds a layer of strategic thinking.”
“The hands-on gameplay—cleaning, painting, and furnishing rooms—makes every project feel personal and rewarding.”
“While I love the gameplay, I've suddenly and inexplicably lost all progress and had to start over 2 or 3 times.”
“Gameplay-wise, I found the traversal to be unsmooth and buggy, the different economic and decorating systems to be vague, unclear, and imprecise, and the gameplay to be very repetitive.”
“The gameplay is very unrealistic to real-life house flipping, which was sad because it just means nothing you do has any point.”
- story2,443 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "House Flipper" is largely considered minimal or nonexistent, with many players noting that the game lacks a traditional narrative. Instead, it features a series of short missions delivered via emails, which serve as tutorials for home renovation tasks rather than a cohesive storyline. While some players enjoy the creative freedom in sandbox mode and the satisfaction of completing missions, there is a strong desire for more varied and engaging content, as many feel the game becomes repetitive once the initial missions are completed.
“The story missions and the housing market are both tons of fun, it's great to be creative and sell your stuff to different clients.”
“I really like the stories behind each renovation, and the ability to buy homes and flip them when you’re done with the story mode.”
“I love the story element, great updates, and the DLCs are entirely worth it.”
“The story is fairly nonexistent; we have no backstory as a character other than we are a 'do it all' handyperson.”
“The missions are limited - I had somehow had the impression that these were RNG missions, but they are not, and I see that others have done the same.”
“The quests went by way too fast and now I have no goals left in the game; I actually enjoyed the quests a lot.”
- graphics2,396 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics in House Flipper receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the charming and detailed visuals that create a cozy atmosphere. However, some users report performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, where the game can be laggy and require significant adjustments to settings for optimal play. While the graphics are generally considered good for a renovation simulator, they are not cutting-edge and can feel dated compared to newer titles.
“The graphics are charming, and the level of detail you can achieve in your renovations is impressive.”
“Visually, House Flipper delivers a pleasant experience, with realistic graphics and a good amount of detail in the environments.”
“The graphics are beautiful, I love the easter eggs with the houses for sale.”
“Gameplay loop is pretty bland as far as an interior design sim goes - its interest in its pseudo-realism has led to poorly aged graphics, awful UX flows and writing, and a redundant gameplay loop.”
“While it was interesting at first, and the game always going on sale was enticing, house flipper does indeed deliver on the fantasy of landlord special-ing your way through your community, but it's just a time waster with ugly, muddy visuals and a huge lack of variety.”
“This game honestly sucks and they use PNGs for the textures and the lighting, even when at full graphics is basically non-existent.”
- grinding1,230 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that tasks like painting, cleaning, and assembling can become monotonous over time. While some find this grindy gameplay relaxing and satisfying, especially as they unlock upgrades to speed up processes, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to frustration and boredom. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate slow-paced, detail-oriented tasks, but may not be suitable for players seeking more dynamic or varied gameplay experiences.
“It can be a bit tedious and repetitive; and I would love a way to save previously flipped houses so they don't disappear forever once you sell them.”
“The gameplay is very fluid and quick enough so it isn't too tedious, but slow enough that you feel satisfaction when you are done with something.”
“The process of cleaning and fixing up houses is very fun, and can kinda feel like work, but is quite satisfying and not grindy.”
“This game is very entertaining but tedious as well, just spent well over 4 hours flipping a house and only got a 5k gain from it, would recommend.”
“However, I like to get all the achievements and there are a lot of jobs to do, and a lot of houses and it makes for a tedious grind (not to mention the chicken egg achievement is glitched, my chickens simply won't lay eggs despite having everything every guide says I need! 😭😭😡🤬 jerks just stand in front of the ramp)”
“Sure, the idea of buying, renovating, and selling houses sounds exciting, but the execution is as tedious as painting a fence with a toothbrush.”
- music1,170 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as calming and relaxing, making it a suitable backdrop for players looking to unwind while engaging in house renovation tasks. However, many users note that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, leading some to prefer listening to their own music or podcasts instead. Overall, while the music enhances the soothing atmosphere of the game, there is a desire for more variety and options to customize the audio experience.
“This is probably the best renovation/cleaning sim I have played, and with all DLC, which if you are getting this game the DLC is absolutely worth it, just expands it to the point it has more content than any other sim I have played. Something just hits different getting home after a long day and just cleaning and listening to music as you renovate; it's the perfect background game to relax to.”
“The music is soothing and there is no rush to finish anything.”
“The soundtrack is a gentle background melody – it's not trying to steal the show, just providing a soothing ambiance.”
“The music gets old fast, but it's easy enough to turn off the music and listen to your own music.”
“The only negative thing I can say is that I wish there was more than just one song of the relaxing music.”
“What I can't stand is the music.”
- stability1,127 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many noting that while it is generally enjoyable, it is plagued by various glitches and bugs. Some players report minor issues that do not significantly impact gameplay, while others experience more severe problems, including frequent freezes and crashes, particularly after updates or when using certain DLCs. Overall, the game is seen as fun and engaging, but its stability issues can detract from the experience, leading to frustration for some players.
“The game runs great, is well supported by the developers, and is tons of fun.”
“Incredibly smooth with almost no glitches or bugs.”
“But overall - it's shockingly bug free provided you have a system strong enough to run it.”
“The one downside that I will say is that the game is definitely buggy.”
“I was so hyped to try this game, but it ended up being so buggy to the point where it was unplayable.”
“The game is good, but it has too many glitches and bugs.”
- optimization588 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and long loading times, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users have managed to achieve smooth gameplay with extensive tweaking, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, often requiring high-end hardware to run adequately. Many reviewers express hope for future improvements, but current performance problems detract from the overall experience.
“This is a brilliant and well-optimized game for those who enjoy building and decorating houses.”
“The optimization in this game should be used as an example of how to optimize games.”
“The game runs smoothly and allows a person to customize nearly any house.”
“The game is also complete garbage when it comes to optimization.”
“Uninstalled because the performance is ridiculously and unreasonably bad.”
“I do not recommend this game in its current state, the developer isn't fixing the base game nor the performance issues and is at this point just spewing out DLC, this is not what I call a good developer or a developer that should be supported.”
- humor388 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "House Flipper" is widely praised for its lighthearted and quirky nature, with players enjoying the amusing client emails, funny job requests, and unexpected glitches. Many find the game to be a relaxing escape filled with clever references and comedic scenarios, making it a delightful experience for those who appreciate a blend of humor and creativity in gameplay. Overall, the game's charm and comedic elements contribute significantly to its appeal, providing players with plenty of laughs as they renovate virtual homes.
“In conclusion, House Flipper is a hilarious escape from reality where you get to flex your interior design chops without any actual consequences.”
“The game's charm and sense of humor kept me engaged throughout my experience, and the luxury DLC was an absolute game-changer, adding even more depth and possibilities to an already great game.”
“The stories of the houses and the jobs are hilarious and clever.”
“the flavor text for the jobs and some of the things your character will 'say' are charming at best, and the cringey-kinda funny at worst.”
“the flavor text for the jobs and some of the things your character will 'say' are charming at best, and the cringey-kinda funny at worst.”
- replayability351 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the extensive customization options and the ability to renovate multiple houses, leading to a highly enjoyable experience. However, some users express concerns about limited content and repetitive gameplay after completing the main tasks, suggesting that additional DLC or features could enhance replay value. Overall, while many find it infinitely replayable, others feel it lacks depth and variety in the long term.
“The various houses, furniture, and decoration options give you plenty to work with, and the ability to customize almost everything makes the game highly replayable.”
“Edit: I wanted to add something now that I played all DLCs and I'm at 200 hours. When you 'beat' the game, that is, you complete all jobs and sell all houses once, all houses become permanently available and you can buy and sell them as many times as you want - multiple of the same (there are 90 houses), replayability is insane!”
“The game has virtually endless replayability with so many different combinations of furniture, paint, wall panels, and much more to choose from.”
“It's a really simple, paywalled, and short-campaigned game that's only replay value is being able to buy fully broken-down homes without any further storyline - eventually your inbox stays empty and will only continue to add more homes if you buy DLC.”
“Disappointed in the fact that garden DLC costs money for the simple reason that the main game, which was over $20, was incomplete and redundant; no replay value once you've completed the game, which takes about 4-5 hours.”
“Then once you finish, there isn't a lot of replayability, and it becomes very boring.”
- atmosphere86 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its cozy, relaxing, and zen-like qualities, making it an ideal escape for players seeking a calm experience. While the visuals may not be cutting-edge, the soothing soundtrack and sound design significantly enhance the immersive environment. However, some players find the atmosphere occasionally undermined by repetitive gameplay and bugs, though many still recommend it for its overall charm and ability to foster creativity.
“Serenity in the soundtrack and peacefulness of the atmosphere make this game just perfect for escaping, yet enjoying without pressure.”
“The game has a vibrant, stylized look that adds to its charm, and the sound design enhances the immersive atmosphere.”
“With an atmosphere that is always zen and enjoyable, it is 100% definitely worth the buy.”
“I found the gameplay very boring and repetitive, the atmosphere uninspiring.”
“The game's mechanics could benefit from a bit more streamlining to maintain the relaxing atmosphere while reducing monotony.”
“It's relaxing from just the atmosphere and the way you do things over and over is kinda boring sometimes but it sets your mind at rest sort of.”
- monetization80 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as a "cash grab" due to the reliance on multiple DLCs that should have been included in the base game. Users express frustration over intrusive advertisements for these DLCs, which detract from the gameplay experience, and highlight concerns about the game's repetitive nature and lack of essential features without additional purchases. While some players appreciate the game's fun elements and the absence of microtransactions, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding the developers' focus on monetization over quality content.
“It's inexpensive, especially with the DLC available, and considering the amount you might spend on something similar that is an app with in-app purchases to get to move to the next job.”
“I heard the devs for this game are great... the game is also fantastic, with great developer support. It feels like the publisher and developers really care about the game and the community. The things that are patched and added in updates are genuinely what the player base wants, and there isn't any paywall or microtransactions.”
“No in-game purchases excluding DLCs, which I would say are worth it. I got mine for £7-£8 ($8-$9). Full price might be a bit much, but you would get over spending it.”
“Play five renovation jobs, get a corrupted save game, look up if the devs still work on fixes for the game -> nope, too busy developing cash grabs (DLC) and the second installment HF2.”
“This is not fair for consumers and the fact that you need DLC to perform basic lawn care is not clear in its advertisements.”
“Nice little fun game with few bugs but not worth the price and sadly the developers are going the cash grab way of adding more paid DLCs that should have been part of the original game to begin with.”
- emotional60 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its emotional depth, offering a heartwarming and relaxing experience that resonates with players. Many users find joy in the game's wholesome elements, such as renovating homes and engaging with quirky characters, which evoke feelings of nostalgia and connection. Despite some criticisms regarding certain content, the overall sentiment highlights the game's ability to provide comfort and emotional investment, making it a beloved choice for those seeking a laid-back gaming experience.
“It's nice to keep other houses tidy while my life is such a mess; heartwarming.”
“I also found myself getting emotionally invested in a few of the handyman projects, like the older landlord whose home was half destroyed by horrible college students.”
“I cried and I want to restart the game.”
- character development8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the skill progression and mini-stories tied to each job, others feel that a deeper narrative and character exploration would enhance the overall experience. The character design is praised, but the lack of complexity in character development is noted as a missed opportunity for greater engagement.
“The effort and time put into the mini stories for each new job, the character design on the jobs is great as well overall 10/10.”
“I love the character development, gaining new skills by practicing tasks.”
“It's similar to Sims in that I can design houses, but more relaxing in that I don't have to worry about character development - just pure design.”
“There could have been a more in-depth scenario and character development, which would have made the game more attractive.”
“It's similar to The Sims in that I can design houses, but more relaxing in that I don't have to worry about character development - just pure design.”
“There could have been a more in-depth scenario and character development, which would have made the game more attractive.”
Critic Reviews
House Flipper
A Definite Fixer-Upper
60%House Flipper – Review (PC)
House flipper's formulaic play style is quickly exhausted, leaving you with nothing but the memory of the time you wasted playing it.
36%House flipping faceplant --- House Flipper Review
House Flipper is emblematic of why every game doesn’t need to be on Switch. Its nauseating performance, terrible controls, and laggy menus combine to make an overall awful experience. The game itself, while relaxing at times, seems to want to waste your time in any way it possibly can.
35%