Painters Guild

About

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

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 390 reviews

gameplay27 positive mentions

replayability11 negative mentions

Charming pixel art style and relaxing music create an enjoyable atmosphere.
Addictive gameplay loop that keeps players engaged as they manage their painters and expand their guild.
Interesting historical references and events add depth to the gameplay, making it appealing for art history enthusiasts.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 make the experience feel aimless.
Some bugs and glitches can disrupt gameplay, and the game has not received significant updates since its release.

gameplay
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
64%
7%
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 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 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
36%
57%
7%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming pixel art style that many players find adorable and engaging, with detailed references to art history that enhance the overall aesthetic. While the visuals are generally praised for their retro appeal and simplicity, some users note that the user interface could be improved for better clarity. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's casual and enjoyable atmosphere, making it a delightful experience for fans of pixel art.
- “It has a very cute pixel aesthetic and you don't have to be a genius to be good at this game.”
- “I thought the graphics were adorable, with enough attention to detail to be impressive, while still looking very retro.”
- “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
56%
36%
8%
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 music is excellent, and I have to admit I always shed a tear when one of my painters dies.”
- “The soundtrack is outstanding and very relaxing.”
- “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
13%
39%
48%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many reviewers noting that it offers little beyond the initial playthrough and lacks depth or new content to encourage repeated play. While some players find it enjoyable as a casual time killer, the consensus is that the game quickly becomes repetitive and does not provide enough incentive for players to return after the first few hours.
- “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
17%
67%
17%
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 through 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 your 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
30%
90%
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.
- “Grinding can be a rewarding experience, as it allows you to fully develop your character and explore all the game has to offer.”
- “The grind is real, but the sense of accomplishment you get from leveling up makes it all worth it.”
- “I love how grinding in this game feels meaningful; every hour spent feels like it contributes to my overall progress.”
- “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
60%
80%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with users reporting frequent bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as unresponsive features and erratic events that can lead to financial ruin. While some players note that it runs well on various hardware, the overall experience is hampered by these issues, making it difficult to fully enjoy the limited content available. Balancing and bug fixes are needed to enhance stability and gameplay enjoyment.
- “It runs great on my old work PC and work laptop, or just about any computer.”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance even during intense moments.”
- “I've experienced minimal crashes or bugs, making for a stable gaming experience.”
- “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
25%
75%
The monetization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some users criticize it as a cash grab, particularly noting its origins as a ported flash game, others appreciate the absence of microtransactions and the inclusion of the complete game with the purchase, aside from a soundtrack DLC. Overall, it appears to be a straightforward purchase model without additional in-game purchases.
- “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
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it both funny and enjoyable, highlighted by amusing details and engaging missions. The lighthearted tone encourages players to embrace a whimsical experience as they embark on their adventures.
- “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!”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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.
- “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
100%
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.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Character development in the game is centered around the journey of artists who start as apprentices and progress by traveling and creating masterpieces, which enhances their skills and abilities. This system allows for meaningful growth and improvement in their craft as players engage with the characters' artistic journeys.
- “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 and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I expected more growth from the characters, but their arcs are predictable and uninspired.”
- “While there are some opportunities for character development, they often feel forced and unearned.”