Lumberjack's Dynasty

Lumberjack's Dynasty is a simulation title with a heartwarming story. However, this is where the positives end. Sadly, this is one game that is ruined by its many flaws. If the developers overcome the many problems, they will somehow turn this into a great title. + Loads to do. + A heartwarming story. + The tasks were interesting when they worked. + Excellent controls. - Rough graphics. - Confusing audio. - Far too many bugs. (Rating: PEGI 3 Release date: 30/06/2022 Price: £24.99) (Reviewed on Xbox Series X. Also available on Xbox One, PC (Steam), PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)

68%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

grinding, stability

72% User Score Based on 1,650 reviews

Critic Score 50%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

Lumberjack's Dynasty is a single player role playing game. It was developed by UMEO Studios and was released on February 24, 2021. It received neutral reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

In "Lumberjack's Dynasty," players manage a lumberjack business, maintain equipment, and harvest timber in a picturesque countryside setting. They can also build and customize their own home, grow their family, and participate in various leisure activities. The game combines life simulation, business management, and logging mechanics for a unique and immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,650 reviews

story58 positive mentions

grinding142 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a mix of logging, crafting, and community interaction.
Relaxing and immersive experience, perfect for casual gaming sessions.
Developers are actively working on updates and improvements.

Poor optimization leading to significant frame rate drops and performance issues.
Numerous bugs and glitches, including game-breaking ones that hinder progress.
Repetitive tasks and grind-heavy mechanics can lead to player fatigue.

story
448 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
83%
4%
The game's story is described as engaging yet flawed, with a mix of main quests and numerous side missions that can feel repetitive and grindy. Players appreciate the narrative's potential and the character interactions, but many express frustration over bugs and incomplete quest lines that hinder progression. Overall, while the storyline offers a solid foundation, it suffers from execution issues that detract from the overall experience.
- “The story line is compelling enough to keep the player engaged in completing the quests and progressing through the game.”
- “I love how it has a base storyline with it along with multiple quests.”
- “I like how this game is set up, it's not just some farm at your own leisure kind of game, there is a storyline and all which is a nice touch I thought from the kind of bland farming/logging ones.”
- “The rest of the time has been spent playing handyman and doing everything between from picking mushrooms to finding lost sheep and attempting to follow some ludicrous story about a guy who went to help out his family and then got suckered into running a lumber mill (which from what I've seen so far, you'll do very little of.)”
- “More than anything, it feels like they tried to make a life sim game and realized they needed more substance, so they threw in a very haphazard lumberjack job that your character has to do and when they realized they couldn't fully flesh that out, they threw in a million side quests (repeating, by the way) to do so just maybe you wouldn't feel so bored.”
- “There you are, story completely finished, no more main mission rather than enjoy your life of grinding to upgrade your equipment that you really didn't need other than to help some villagers get rid of a forest patch beside their land and using it to do everybody else's job, which was literally the whole plot: getting abused (subdued) for money and services by everyone.”
graphics
172 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
52%
20%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many players criticizing them as outdated, poorly optimized, and reminiscent of early console titles, leading to significant performance issues even on high-end systems. Conversely, some users appreciate the visuals and attention to detail, particularly in natural environments, suggesting that while there are notable graphical strengths, substantial improvements are still needed to enhance overall quality and performance. Overall, the consensus indicates that the graphics are a major area for improvement, with many players expressing disappointment in their current state.
- “One of the standout features of 'Lumberjack's Dynasty' is its stunning visuals and attention to detail.”
- “Beautiful graphics and light PC load.”
- “The graphics are lovely and so is the gameplay.”
- “Terrible graphics, terribly optimized.”
- “Truly this game has the worst graphics I have ever seen for a PC game.”
- “Graphics are very dated, giving a distinct 2010 vibe.”
gameplay
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
59%
15%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and grindy, often describing it as a chore rather than an enjoyable experience. While some appreciate the engaging mechanics and resource management aspects, others criticize the clunky movement, poor optimization, and lack of essential features, leading to frustration. Overall, the game shows potential but suffers from design flaws and bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Another aspect of the game that sets it apart is its deep and engaging gameplay mechanics.”
- “The game's resource management mechanics are also excellent, with a variety of resources to collect and sell in order to make a profit.”
- “With stunning visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and a strong sense of community and environmental awareness, it is a must-play for anyone who loves simulation games or rural environments.”
- “Gameplay isn't fun.”
- “Actual gameplay, however, is where we run into the real problems.”
- “Gameplay is hot garbage though, as well as the game overall optimization on PC.”
grinding
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being overly tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that the tasks required to progress—such as logging and repairing structures—become a chore rather than an engaging experience. While some enjoy the grind as part of the game's charm, others find it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of frustration and a desire for more streamlined mechanics or additional content to alleviate the monotony. Overall, the game appeals to those who appreciate a slower-paced, grind-heavy experience, but may deter players looking for a more dynamic or less laborious gameplay.
- “Early game, you're going to have to deal with the worst of the worst, which is fine, but grinding to get anything just feels like an absolute chore.”
- “Once you've done the first chapter, the quests dry up and it's just a matter of grinding for money so you can pay off the uncle and buy the furniture factory.”
- “Every aspect of this game is tedious and boring.”
stability
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
2%
95%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and poor optimization affecting gameplay. Players frequently encounter issues such as buggy vehicle hitboxes, collision problems, and game-breaking glitches that can hinder progress, leading to frustration. While some users have experienced fewer issues, the overall consensus is that the game feels unfinished and should not have been released in its current state.
- “I experienced no glitches in 6 hours of gameplay and will put more in.”
- “Game running a lot better; homestead and lumber mill are all upgradeable now, with no glitches. More vehicles in the game are now purchasable, plus some added quests.”
- “Game stability has improved significantly, making for a smoother experience overall.”
- “This game shouldn't really have been out of early access yet; there are so many glitches and bugs, and a few crucial ones I see have been reported a year ago.”
- “I'm sad to say that this game really had good potential, but once again, the publisher has pushed out a half-baked, buggy mess that still has the same game-breaking bugs in its supposed 'full release' that it did in early access.”
- “The amount of glitches in this game make it unplayable at some points; I had my wood carrier fly into a river just because I was driving on the road during the tutorial, then I lost my tractor which just flew off into the distance. I spent about an hour looking for it, then I just quit.”
optimization
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
42%
48%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and graphical glitches, even on high-end hardware. Many reviewers suggest that the game feels unfinished and poorly optimized, indicating a need for significant updates to improve performance. Despite some fun gameplay elements, the overall consensus is that the game requires major optimization efforts before it can be recommended.
- “Overall, I give this game 4 out of 5 as it can be optimized a little with a few quality of life tweaks, but is a lot of fun to play, a good challenge, and is not overly complicated.”
- “Hopefully, they will work on optimization and then I could recommend this game.”
- “There have already been updates with new content, optimizations, and many bug fixes.”
- “At present as of 7/21/23, this game is very, very, very poorly optimized.”
- “Game seems to be extremely unoptimized, with heavy mouse lag, frame rate dipping to unplayable levels and texture pop-ins and anomalies all over the place.”
- “This is still a bug-laden, incredibly badly optimized, inconsistent, half-baked mess of a game.”
music
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
75%
11%
The music in the game receives mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the relaxing tunes and find them enjoyable, others criticize the inconsistent volume levels, with music sometimes being excessively loud or not playing at all. Additionally, there are calls for more environmental sounds and varied vehicle audio to enhance the overall experience. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, it requires adjustments for a more balanced auditory experience.
- “It's a relaxing game, NPCs make me laugh with their goofy conversations, great music, beautiful map but has texture issues and pop-ins here and there. I love the survival aspect added and the fact you can fish and cook what you catch is awesome!”
- “Me gusta la historia, sencilla, wholesome, interesante. Detecto muchas influencias de otros juegos, como Farm Simulator, House Flipper, etc. Me gustó y si le pones música country de fondo, ¡mucho mejor!”
- “Great game, just needs more environmental sounds because it's too quiet (I have turned the music off) and the vehicle sounds are way too low. It needs sound effects for different surfaces when driving on gravel, dirt, grass, and tarmac because it may as well just be driving in the air.”
- “When the music volume is on, but the music isn't playing: so you turn up the music volume a bit, and the music volume is on, and the music is blasting your ears out.”
- “You can listen to a podcast, watch a movie, or listen to some music while cutting down trees and living the logger's life.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of this game has been widely criticized, with many users labeling it as a cash grab that lacks genuine engagement and refinement. Reviewers advise potential players to save their money, suggesting that the game does not deliver value commensurate with its cost.
- “I tried very hard to like this game but now advise others to save their money on this and other cash grabs like it.”
- “But as it is, and without further refinement, it is a cash grab game.”
- “This isn't much more than a cash grab at this point in time.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of amusing character voice acting and unexpected comedic moments, often stemming from bugs and glitches, such as characters moving in bizarre ways. While some players find these elements genuinely funny, others note that the game's technical issues can detract from the overall experience.
- “This can sometimes be downright hilarious or creepy.”
- “Other bugs are rampant, some breaking the game completely, and some are just downright hilarious (the uncle doesn't seem to be able to move at all without moonwalking).”
- “The game is funny.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is described as both beautiful and immersive, enhancing the overall experience despite being in development and needing updates. However, some users find certain elements distracting or unsettling, which can detract from immersion. Overall, the sound diversity and visual appeal contribute positively to the game's atmosphere.
- “The atmosphere and sound diversity of a game is a great help to immerse yourself in it and enjoy your geek time.”
- “It is still in development and needs some serious updates, but it is still fun and a beautiful atmosphere to explore.”
- “This is not something that usually bothers me at all, it can even be a highlight in a 'so bad it's good' sort of way, but here it created a distracting, maybe even unsettling, atmosphere.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, particularly due to the inability to grow or plant trees, which limits gameplay variety. However, some users still find it enjoyable and challenging, suggesting it may appeal to those seeking a fun experience despite its replay limitations.
- “If you're looking for a game that's fun, challenging, and offers tons of replay value, then get this game.”
- “Literally zero replayability due to trees not growing or being able to be planted.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is criticized for its blocky and expressionless designs, which are typical of many Unity games, leading to a lack of emotional depth and engagement with the characters.
- “The character designs are blocky and expressionless, which is typical of a Unity game like this.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its simple yet wholesome story, which resonates with players and evokes a sense of nostalgia. Many users appreciate the interesting narrative and its influences from other games, suggesting that the overall experience is enhanced by the right musical backdrop, such as country music.