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Painters Guild

Painters Guild Game Cover
69%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
replayability, story
66% User Score Based on 394 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Painters Guild Game Cover

About

Painters Guild is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Lucas Molina and was released on September 1, 2015. It received positive reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

In Painters Guild, you manage an art academy in Renaissance Italy, recruiting and training artists, fulfilling commissions to bring in revenue, and expanding your guild's prestige. Each artist has unique attributes and skills, and your decisions will impact their development and the success of the guild. With a variety of clients, commissions, and events, the game offers strategic depth and historical immersion in the world of Renaissance art.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Painters Guild screenshot
Painters Guild screenshot
Painters Guild screenshot
Painters Guild screenshot
Painters Guild screenshot
Painters Guild screenshot
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66%
Audience ScoreBased on 394 reviews
gameplay26 positive mentions
replayability11 negative mentions
  • Charming pixel art style and relaxing music create an enjoyable atmosphere.
  • Addictive gameplay loop that keeps players engaged with managing painters and completing commissions.
  • Fun historical references and events add depth to the gameplay, making it appealing for art history enthusiasts.
  • Lacks depth and variety, leading to repetitive gameplay after a few hours.
  • No clear end goal or progression, which can result in boredom once the initial excitement wears off.
  • Some bugs and glitches can disrupt the experience, and the game feels unfinished with limited content.
  • gameplay
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by its addictive yet repetitive nature, with intuitive mechanics that are easy to grasp but lack depth and variety over time. Players enjoy the initial engagement and charm, but many find that the game runs out of content and replayability after just a few hours, leading to a grindy experience. While the core management mechanics are solid, the absence of new features and progression ultimately limits the game's long-term appeal.

    • “As a management game, it is quite robust: the mechanics are intuitive and very easy to understand, but the game is still pretty hard even for seasoned management game lovers.”
    • “The sim and management mechanics are fun as heck and the game mechanics for this genre are simple yet genius and well-crafted.”
    • “There is enough content for a few hours of very enjoyable gameplay, as you listen to the soundtrack and push and pull your little art slaves around; you get a lot of satisfaction as you watch your florins grow and you build up and customize your little painters guild.”
    • “There are also a few mechanics that are never properly explained, so you either try to get behind them or fumble your way through.”
    • “But after a few hours, the gameplay gets super repetitive, and from what I've read, that's essentially the summary of this game.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game simply runs out of content or new mechanics after those initial hours, with very limited replayability.”
  • graphics
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which is described as cute and engaging, with attention to detail that enhances the retro aesthetic. Players appreciate the visual references to art history and the overall simplicity that complements the gameplay, although some note that the user interface could be improved. While the graphics are generally well-received, a few reviewers feel that they do not elevate the gameplay enough to justify the price point.

    • “I thought the graphics were adorable, with enough attention to detail to be impressive, while still looking very retro.”
    • “It has a very cute pixel aesthetic and you don't have to be a genius to be good at this game.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous, and it's fun to see the little pixel masterpieces, but they vanish quickly.”
    • “Graphic is not the best.”
    • “Seems like a wasted effort really because the art style and the base game seem really promising but there is really nothing built around the core mechanics to make this game fun.”
    • “For such a small game in retro pixel graphic style it's rather complex.”
  • music
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a charming and catchy soundtrack. However, some players noted a lack of variety, as the limited number of tracks can lead to repetition over time. Overall, the music complements the game's aesthetic and gameplay, making it a standout feature despite its shortcomings in diversity.

    • “It's a really soothing game, the music stands out the most.”
    • “The soundtrack is outstanding and very relaxing.”
    • “The music is cute and appealing, and the simple design of the characters and environment is exactly what I'd want in a game like this.”
    • “The soundtrack felt lacking, only had about 3 songs total that were on repeat.”
    • “The music is okay, it starts pretty well.”
    • “Still, the soundtrack and charm has kept me coming back.”
  • replayability
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many players noting that it lacks depth and content after the initial playthrough. While some find it enjoyable as a casual time killer, the absence of new mechanics or significant endgame content limits the incentive to replay. A few users mention minor replay value, particularly for fans of management sims, but the consensus leans towards a disappointing lack of replayability.

    • “Its replayability may not be huge, but if you see it on sale or in a bundle then this is a must grab.”
    • “A surprisingly fun little game with some replay value.”
    • “So the replay value is actually pretty high!!!”
    • “The gameplay, graphics, music, and overall concept are solid, but aside from playing essentially the same game in three different settings (there are supposed to be different bonuses in the different cities, but I didn't really notice any), there's only one basic playthrough and there isn't really replay value from there.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game simply runs out of content or new mechanics after those initial hours, with very limited replayability.”
    • “Sadly, this game lacks replayability.”
  • story
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is generally viewed as lacking depth and engagement, with many players expressing a desire for more narrative elements, quests, and progression. While some enjoy creating their own storylines within the gameplay, the absence of a structured story or endgame content leads to a sense of grind and diminished replay value. Overall, the game is seen as fun and intuitive but ultimately falls short in delivering a compelling story experience.

    • “For me, I will start a fresh run and get so invested in the storylines I create for the painters, min-maxing the time/skill building, etc. that hours just fly by.”
    • “Artistically, this might fall right into the story of an artist, but gameplay-wise it doesn't work; for you, art does not live on.”
    • “Although it doesn't seem to have a deep story, it does go through time with historic news... but once you have played through the hours of addictive gameplay, it's probably going to wear off and make you quit the game.”
    • “Cute, fun game, but lacks any endgame story or replay value.”
    • “There's no endgame, no goals, no story, nothing.”
    • “Artistically this might fall right into the story of an artist, but gameplay wise it doesn't work, for your art does not live on.”
  • grinding
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with many noting that while it may be enjoyable for a short period, it quickly becomes monotonous and lacks depth. The absence of late-game content and automation features exacerbates the grind, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction as players feel they are merely dragging items around without meaningful progression. Overall, the game is described as shallow, with limited playtime before the grind becomes overwhelming.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
    • “It's just plain grindy, and when you finally get an artist to a high level they're practically dead.”
    • “No late game, progression of mechanics, or storyline, and managing every action quickly becomes grindy when you have more painters as the game lacks automation features.”
    • “The game itself is pretty shallow, grindy, and the end is absolutely unsatisfying.”
  • stability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is frequently criticized due to numerous bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as unexpected crashes and issues with game mechanics. While it runs well on various hardware, players report that these stability issues significantly detract from the overall experience and enjoyment of the limited content available. Balancing and bug fixes are needed to enhance the game's playability.

    • “It runs great on my old work PC and work laptop, or just about any computer.”
    • “The game maintains a smooth performance without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “I've experienced consistent stability throughout my gameplay sessions.”
    • “It's buggy; stuff will just quit working out of nowhere, and you kind of have to hit the lottery on all the events or the price of doctors and jail time and whatever else will really quickly bring you down to zero funds, and there is no way to recover if all your painters leave the guild but the game keeps going for some reason.”
    • “The game is buggy, which makes it even harder to enjoy the already small amount of content.”
    • “This game is cute and fun but currently in a very buggy state and needs balancing in certain areas.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of the game has received mixed reviews; some users criticize it as a cash grab, particularly noting its origins as a ported flash game. However, others appreciate the absence of microtransactions and the inclusion of only a soundtrack DLC, suggesting that players receive a complete experience upon purchase.

    • “As far as I remember, this game doesn't have any microtransactions, and the only DLC is the soundtrack, so when you buy the game, you buy the complete game.”
    • “Unfortunately, it was a simple cash grab.”
    • “Lastly, it's a cash grab from a ported flash game.”
    • “It's basically just a mobile game with no microtransactions, which is why it isn't just flat out free to play.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it both funny and enjoyable, thanks to its clever details and engaging missions. The lighthearted tone encourages creativity and fun, making it a delightful experience overall.

    • “Very enjoyable and intuitive game, with loads of funny details and challenging missions!”
    • “So grab your funny hats and paint brushes and start up your very own guild!”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is centered around the journey of artists who travel as apprentices, culminating in the creation of a masterpiece that enhances their skills and abilities. This progression system allows players to witness tangible growth in their characters as they evolve through experiences and challenges.

    • “The character development is engaging, allowing you to guide your artists on a journey from apprentices to masters, enhancing their skills through travel and experience.”
    • “I love how the game emphasizes character growth; you really feel the progression as your artists evolve and tackle more challenging masterpieces.”
    • “The way characters develop throughout the game is impressive, as you nurture their talents and watch them transform into skilled professionals.”
    • “The character development feels shallow, as the progression system lacks depth and meaningful choices.”
    • “While there are some elements of character growth, it often feels forced and unconvincing.”
    • “The characters don't evolve in a way that feels natural, making it hard to connect with their journeys.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game evokes a strong emotional response through its relaxing atmosphere and historical context, enhanced by excellent music. Players often find themselves moved, particularly during poignant moments such as the death of a character, leading to genuine emotional reactions like tears.

    • “Relaxing, historical, and a nice emotional touch at times too.”
    • “The music is excellent, and I have to admit I always shed a tear when one of my painters dies.”
  • atmosphere
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is frequently praised, with users highlighting it as one of its standout features.

    • “The only nice thing I can say about this game is that it has a wonderful atmosphere.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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5h Median play time
5h Average play time
3-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Painters Guild is a casual strategy game.

Painters Guild is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Painters Guild.

Painters Guild was released on September 1, 2015.

Painters Guild was developed by Lucas Molina.

Painters Guild has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its replayability.

Painters Guild is a single player game.

Similar games include Game Corp DX, Tavern Master, Academia: School Simulator, Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!, Honey, I Joined a Cult and others.