Rec Center Tycoon
- September 6, 2019
- Jarrod Brown
- 9h median play time
Get on SteamRec Center Tycoon is a management simulation game where you build and operate your own recreational facility. Design and customize the layout, hire staff, and offer various activities to attract and retain customers. Balance budget, improve facilities, and respond to community needs to grow your rec center into a successful business.
Reviews
- The game is fun and engaging, providing a satisfying management experience with a lot of potential.
- The developer is active and responsive, frequently releasing updates and addressing community feedback.
- The game features a charming art style and humorous customer interactions, making it enjoyable to play.
- The game has been criticized for being abandoned, with no significant updates for an extended period, leading to concerns about its future development.
- Many players have reported bugs and performance issues, including crashes and UI problems that hinder gameplay.
- The lack of content and objectives in the late game can lead to a repetitive experience, causing players to lose interest after a few hours.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and depth, allowing players to transform small gyms into thriving businesses. While many find the mechanics easy to grasp, some report bugs and balance issues, particularly in the early stages of gameplay. Overall, the game shows promise with its complex systems and ongoing development, though players should be prepared for some challenges.
“Easy to understand, lots of stuff being added, the mechanics work pretty well.”
“Gameplay is just awesome for many reasons, but some of the main reasons are that you can start with a little gym and transform it into a monster business.”
“There are a lot of interlocking complex mechanics (finance, owner stats, electrical power, etc.).”
“There's tons of bugs and gameplay still needs work.”
“Gameplay for each new center starts very slowly; you'll need to keep in mind that your income is very slow and deliberate, and don't make the mistake of taking out a loan you can't make payments on.”
“There are a lot of interlocking complex mechanics (finance, owner stats, electrical power, etc. etc. etc.)”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, characterized by a cute and appealing art style that enhances the relaxing vibe. While not groundbreaking, they surpass many indie titles and run smoothly on mid-level PCs, offering decent customization options and a good user interface. Overall, the simple yet effective graphics contribute to an addictive gameplay experience, with potential for further development.
“I love the relaxing vibe and the cute graphic appeal.”
“The graphics are brilliant--no weird blob bodies here.”
“The art style is cute without being silly.”
“Don't be fooled by its somewhat bland graphics.”
“It's a management game with RimWorld/Prison Architect/Another Brick in the Mall type graphics.”
“The graphics aren't amazing but they're better than a lot of indie games out there - you can rotate objects, there's a fair amount of customization available for your avatar, etc. most importantly, they run well on a mid-level PC.”
- humor6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with many users finding it charming and filled with amusing details. Some reviews highlight that the humor is so bad it's funny, while others suggest that fans of humorous writing will enjoy the game's witty elements. Overall, it is considered a delightful and funny experience.
“The ratings and reviews are so funny.”
“It's charming, detailed, loaded with little bits of humor, and a true gem.”
“Nice and funny game.”
“So bad, it's actually funny.”
- story5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The current story aspect of Rec Center Tycoon lacks quests, missions, or objectives, but users remain optimistic due to ongoing updates and the developer's plans to introduce a story mode and sports tournaments in the future.
“I give it a positive recommendation because there are still updates, and it is possible that quests and sandbox mode will be available someday.”
“There aren't any quests or leveling up.”
“There are no missions, no objectives, and no time constraints in Rec Center Tycoon as of yet.”
“The developer is actively working to implement a story mode, as well as sports tournaments.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Users report significant performance issues during busy moments in the game, with performance returning to normal once the action subsides. While some players experience no crashes or major problems, others find the frequent interruptions due to these performance dips frustrating.
“No crashes, no performance issues.”
“There seems to be some major performance issues when things get busy.”
“When the event ends, performance returns to normal.”
“That moment is often short-lived; however, periodic broken cables in your electric supply or occasional visits by guests peddling illegal performance-enhancing substances require immediate resolution and become tiresome with the frequency of their occurrence.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its instability, with users frequently encountering bugs and glitches, indicating that it remains a "buggy mess" despite being enjoyable. While it is still in early access, players express a willingness to return to it, suggesting that the overall experience outweighs the technical issues.
“I keep coming back to it, even though it is a buggy mess sometimes.”
“It's buggy as hell.”
“Some bugs and glitches still exist as well.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly in managing classes and finances. While some enjoy the challenge of building funds through activities like aerobics and yoga classes, others feel that the grind can detract from the overall experience, suggesting improvements like a monthly calendar for better management.
“I found that setting classes was tedious and annoying; there should be a monthly calendar that we can use and not just a 4-day week.”
“Yeah, okay, it's kind of grindy.”
“A couple of things I would change: the self-manager control is a bit tedious and time-consuming, like in The Sims, but kind of pointless.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is enjoyable and provides a relaxing backdrop for players, though some users feel that the quality of the tracks could be improved and the user interface could be enhanced to better complement the audio experience.
“Very fun game to just relax and listen to music with; at least that's been my experience.”
“The UI could use some sprucing up, and maybe someone should create better music for the game.”
“The music feels repetitive and doesn't add much to the overall experience.”
“I found the soundtrack to be quite bland and uninspiring.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect is still in early development, with potential improvements suggested, such as incorporating advertising to enhance customer acquisition challenges. Users hope for a more streamlined interaction method, like a click-and-do system, rather than direct control, which some find less appealing.
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
“I find the in-game purchases to be frustratingly necessary to progress, which ruins the overall experience.”
“The constant prompts to buy premium currency disrupt the gameplay and take away from the fun.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, as it immerses them in the experience of managing a company, with detailed micromanagement that enhances their connection to the gameplay. The sound design further elevates this emotional experience, contributing to an overall sense of realism and involvement.
“This is a great game that made me feel like I was really managing a company, with all the micromanaging of prices for individual items in the cafe, vending machines, entertainment machines, etc. The sound design is almost perfect, with only minor issues.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game's focus on mortality and survival enhances its replayability, as players face diverse challenges that encourage multiple playthroughs. This aspect keeps the experience fresh and engaging, making it appealing for those who enjoy overcoming different obstacles.
“The game offers a unique experience with each playthrough, thanks to its dynamic environments and unpredictable challenges.”
“With multiple endings and diverse character paths, every run feels fresh and engaging, encouraging players to explore different strategies.”
“The variety of gameplay modes and customizable options ensures that no two sessions are ever the same, making it highly replayable.”
“Other games in the genre have mortality and survival as central concerns, which provides a certain level of staying power and replay value due to the various obstacles they present.”
“Once you complete the game, there’s little incentive to go back. The story doesn’t change, and the gameplay feels repetitive after the first playthrough.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless, as you end up experiencing the same events over and over.”
