Puffin Planes

About

"Puffin Planes" is a casual airline manager game where you can build your own global airline network, choosing from various planes and optimizing airport infrastructure. You can customize your strategy, whether it's hub-and-spoke or point-to-point, and collaborate with friends through Steam. The game features a dynamic system with random bonuses and decision-making options for long-term growth.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 178 reviews

graphics5 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Puffin Planes is a fun and casual airline management simulator that is easy to learn and provides hours of entertainment.
The game features a charming art style and a unique bird theme, with each AI representing different birds that add character to the gameplay.
The developer is highly responsive and actively updates the game, incorporating community feedback and adding new features regularly.

The game lacks depth and complexity, making it feel simplistic and repetitive, especially in the late game where it can become too easy.
There are limited options for planes and routes, which can restrict strategic gameplay and lead to a feeling of stagnation.
Some players have reported issues with the economic model, including unmanageable inflation and unclear progression mechanics that can detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
67%
17%
The gameplay is characterized by a solid and addictive loop that combines management-heavy mechanics with an arcade twist, making it accessible yet challenging. Players appreciate the simplicity of the mechanics and the quick tutorial, while also noting the potential for deeper engagement as they master the game. Ongoing development and community feedback have led to continuous improvements, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is solid, with a bunch of features, and there’s more on the way since it’s still in development.”
- “The progression is fun, the gameplay is very satisfying, and I really highly recommend fans of management games try this one out.”
- “Its simple, but effective gameplay, combined with a minimalist design, makes it an ideal choice for those looking to manage an airline without getting bogged down in too much complexity.”
- “I just find the expansion mechanics to not make much sense.”
- “With a gameplay experience that can be completed in just a couple of hours, it’s perfect for those seeking a quick, strategic challenge.”
- “The core gameplay is the same as Fly Corp; cities spawn, you connect them.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
38%
23%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charm and polish, featuring a clean and modern art style that enhances the overall experience. While some users noted minor glitches, the visuals are considered well-executed and effectively support gameplay, with comparisons to other titles highlighting superior graphical quality and design. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's appeal, making it visually engaging without being overly flashy.
- “Also, this is a very charming game, with nice, polished visuals.”
- “Very cool airline manager game, similar to others but has better graphics, more options and features; the 3D globe maps are very well done.”
- “The art style perfectly pairs with the sound and UI design.”
- “No UI to expand network past the graphics limit (number of connections).”
- “The visuals may not be flashy, but they serve the purpose of keeping the player focused on gameplay.”
- “The art style is simple but modern—not 8-bit, but clean and straightforward.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
17%
25%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its relaxing and peaceful qualities, with many players highlighting the prominent use of woodwinds that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate how well the soundtrack complements the game's theme, making it enjoyable and cozy to play. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that adds significant value to the gameplay.
- “A fantastic plane management simulator with a lovely & peaceful soundtrack.”
- “The music instantly caught me -- I am a woodwind player (all of them - professional theater pit orchestra nerd), and the music is heavy on woodwinds.”
- “The music is excellent, too!”
- “They had me two songs in!”
- “I've yet to notice a bug... oh, and did I mention how much I love the music?”
- “Let's make this game popular, because I want to play covers (and hear other people play covers) of this music on Twitch.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with players noting that the progression through missions feels nonsensical and tedious. Many express a desire for a more defined narrative or overarching objectives to enhance the experience, suggesting that the current mission-based system lacks depth and variety. Overall, the lack of a compelling story detracts from the game's potential enjoyment.
- “---{ story }---”
- “The progression of missions in the main part of this game are just nonsensical a lot of the times.”
- “The progression of missions in the main part of this game is just nonsensical a lot of the time.”
- “A storyline or more explicitly defined overarching objectives/win conditions would make it one for the ages.”
- “I also dislike that progression is tied solely to missions - I wish that there were more ways to earn bonuses than being the only way to earn the all-important tokens.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers strong replayability due to its varied routes, fleet management challenges, and a rewarding system that encourages multiple playthroughs. Players appreciate the quick completion time paired with diverse strategic options, ensuring that each session can feel unique.
- “There is also lots of room for replayability.”
- “I can already see a bunch of replayability based on the type of routes, planes, where you start, where the hubs are, etc.”
- “Though each game can be finished relatively quickly, the reward system and the challenge of managing routes and fleets provide enough replayability for multiple sessions.”
- “Can already see a bunch of replayability based on the type of routes, planes, where you start, where the hubs are, etc.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game where the main challenge lies in quickly clicking buy buttons and completing missions. While Puffin planes is enjoyable in short sessions, extended play can lead to boredom due to its grind-heavy nature.
- “The only challenge in the late game is clicking on all the buy buttons fast enough, and also completing CEO missions, which get pretty tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Puffin Planes overall is a fun game to play, yet it can become repetitive and tedious if played for a long time. It's a good sandbox strategy game to enjoy in short bursts.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game is well-optimized, with minimal bugs reported; however, players with lower-end machines may experience performance issues during late-game scenarios. The game runs smoothly and features an impressive art style.
- “Runs smoothly with great art style.”
- “Bugs appear to be negligible, though extreme late-game performance may be a bit of an issue for lesser machines.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with many users praising its performance and graphics. However, some players have reported occasional glitches that detract from the experience.
- “A+ amazing game, runs great, love it!”
- “The game is incredibly stable; I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs.”
- “Smooth gameplay with no lag or interruptions, which makes for a fantastic experience.”
- “The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is described as straightforward yet enjoyable, contributing positively to the overall experience of the game.
- “Simple as it comes, but fun with a good atmosphere.”