Reus

Reus is a pleasant little God sim that starts off simple enough but soon becomes deeper and more complex.

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Reus is a single-player fantasy strategy game with excellent graphics, music, and innovative game mechanics. As a player, you control powerful giants to shape the planet, creating terrain and providing for humanity, who will thrive or succumb to greed based on your actions. With countless upgrades, synergies, plants, animals, and minerals to unlock, Reus offers endless styles of play and replayability.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,352 reviews

gameplay149 positive mentions

story14 negative mentions

Unique and charming art style that enhances the gameplay experience.
Engaging mechanics that require strategic planning and resource management.
Offers a relaxing yet challenging gameplay experience with a variety of unlockable resources.

Frequent crashes and technical issues that disrupt gameplay.
Repetitive gameplay that can become tedious after a few hours.
Lack of in-game guidance and information, requiring players to rely on external resources like wikis.

gameplay
418 mentions
36 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Reus" is characterized by its unique mechanics that blend resource management with god simulation, offering a mix of strategic depth and simplicity. While many players appreciate the charming visuals and the engaging puzzle-like interactions, some criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking long-term depth, with a steep learning curve that can be frustrating for newcomers. Overall, the game provides a relaxing yet challenging experience, though its limitations in variety and pacing may deter some players.
- “The gameplay is unique, with simple mechanics that become complex as you progress, making it both challenging and enjoyable.”
- “The symbiosis between different plants, gems, and animals creates fun and interesting gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “Reus is a fascinating experiment in building a god game with genuinely engaging management gameplay that's actually quite simple to learn.”
- “For me, it feels like an unfinished game, gameplay- and graphics-wise.”
- “Unfortunately, the gameplay is really, really dull.”
- “The mechanics are shallow, repetitive, and don't ever seem to really take off.”
graphics
253 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charming and colorful art style, which is described as cute, simple, and effective in creating an inviting atmosphere. While many players appreciate the visuals and find them aesthetically pleasing, some note that the graphics can feel dated or simplistic, and there are occasional complaints about font readability and performance issues. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's relaxing vibe, though they may not be groundbreaking.
- “The graphics are simple but effective, providing players with a clean and easy-to-read interface that is both intuitive and functional.”
- “The graphics are pretty and the gameplay is somehow challenging and calming.”
- “The visuals are beautiful.”
- “For me it feels like an unfinished game, gameplay- and graphics-wise.”
- “The graphics were kind of limited and the action was as slow as it gets.”
- “Graphics are very frustrating in that sense, making Reus no different than a board game, except you play it on your own.”
music
100 mentions
59 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, complementing the vibrant graphics and gameplay. While many players appreciate the charming and pleasant soundtrack, some note its repetitiveness and limited variety. Overall, the music enhances the game's peaceful atmosphere, making it enjoyable for players seeking a calming experience.
- “The music is relaxing and the graphics are bright and appealing.”
- “Lovely, original game with beautiful artwork and soothing music.”
- “The music is soothing, the gameplay is slow but requires thought, and the aesthetics are fantastic.”
- “The soundtrack suffers from a lack of variety and will replay frequently.”
- “The music is very passive, being heard mainly as a few lonely chords interspersed with the sounds of the god's activities.”
- “The soundtrack is rather limited, though, so have some of your own music handy for the longer games.”
replayability
84 mentions
35 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a high level of replayability, driven by innovative systems such as synergy, unlockable achievements, and varied gameplay mechanics that encourage different strategies. While many players find the replay value substantial and engaging, some express concerns about potential repetitiveness and diminishing interest after completing objectives. The combination of randomness and player choice contributes to a unique experience in each playthrough, making it appealing for those who enjoy exploration and experimentation.
- “The progression system enhances replayability considerably.”
- “It has a surprising amount of replayability too in the form of achievement challenges that encourage radically different approaches.”
- “The game's replay value comes largely from its slew of challenges, which largely boil down to 'be this successful with these limitations.'”
- “I wish I could recommend this game because I really do enjoy the art, but the playability isn't really beyond 3 hours and the replayability, at least for me, was 0.”
- “On the downside, the game's replayability runs a bit short when you complete all the objectives, and there seems to be a glitch that lets you unlock achievements on the 'easy' mode (which is normally supposed to disable achievements).”
- “This game has little replay value, limited customization options, and overall is very simple without much strategy.”
story
68 mentions
13 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and structure, with many players noting that it feels more like a series of challenges rather than a cohesive narrative. While some appreciate the charming titans and the immersive world-building, others find the absence of a clear storyline or progression disappointing, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel repetitive and lacking in direction. Overall, the game is better suited for those who enjoy sandbox-style play without the expectation of a guided story.
- “Don't know any other game that tells the story of the perfect symbiosis of our world in a more immersive and captivating way than this.”
- “I really liked this game because, not only does it have extremely beautiful art, but it has a continuous, creative story.”
- “Caring for the pests, helping their cultures thrive becomes the mission of the titans.”
- “The graphics are decent, the music is not a big deal, and the story is just an anecdote to stitch it all together.”
- “There's no story or anything which the game kind of eludes to, but eventually you realize it's just a 'self-challenge' type of game where you just see how far you can go.”
- “Note the game is without a story beyond the concepts of the game itself, so don't buy this hoping for a guided experience.”
grinding
31 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that while the game has appealing graphics and interesting mechanics, it suffers from significant grinding, particularly in the later stages, which can lead to a tedious and repetitive experience. Players often find themselves overwhelmed by the need to remember synergies and manage resources, making progress feel slow and laborious. Although some enjoy the challenge of grinding, many feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, turning gameplay into a chore rather than a creative endeavor.
- “A big mistake the developers made was the gameplay at its core makes the game kind of boring and tedious and a tad slow.”
- “It gets boring quickly and puts a lot of emphasis on grinding.”
- “Ultimately the depth of strategy is a bit too shallow for me, and the focus on slow grinding (you'll need a full 60-minute round or more to get some incremental progression) makes it too frustrating for me to play.”
humor
20 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of amusing mechanics and quirky characters, with players finding enjoyment in the absurdity of certain actions, like creatures sneezing to break the ground. While some reviews highlight the game's strategic depth and unique gameplay, others note that the humor may not appeal to everyone, particularly younger audiences. Overall, it is seen as a funny and entertaining experience, albeit with some repetitive elements that can lead to boredom.
- “Reus is just a great game, especially when you make a bunch of snakes that go and ravage a town, hilarious stuff.”
- “The gods' creatures are cute and funny (I mean one of them can break the ground by sneezing).”
- “A really funny and complex game, the perfect time stealer for a creative and calculating mind.”
stability
14 mentions
14 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is highly inconsistent among users, with many reporting frequent crashes, bugs, and lag, particularly during intense gameplay moments. While some players experience smooth performance with minimal issues, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration due to the game's instability, leading to a mixed reception regarding its reliability.
- “Runs great and has no major problems.”
- “No glitches.”
- “Well, I love the style of this game; its cartoony look and animation are great, but personally, I am experiencing a lot of crashes, usually when I get 4 minutes in the game or try to save. It has potential, but the glitches ruin it.”
- “Nothing quite as frustrating as having to force restart your computer only to get another 5-20 minutes of gameplay before it crashes to desktop or freezes.”
- “It reminds me of the old Lionhead Studios game Black & White, except terrible, laggy, buggy, and unnecessarily hard.”
optimization
13 mentions
46 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The game's optimization mechanics are intriguing, offering a unique balance between speed and strategy, though performance issues, particularly in the endgame, have been reported. While some players appreciate the depth of resource optimization, others have experienced significant crashes and stuttering, leading to frustration and limiting playtime. Overall, the optimization aspect is a mixed bag, with potential for enjoyment for those who appreciate the mechanics, but hindered by technical shortcomings.
- “Balancing optimization with speed makes a really interesting and unique dynamic which has lots of different solutions depending on the types of towns you end up with.”
- “It's less of a resource management game and more of a resource optimization game.”
- “Good tutorial, simple-but-not-too-simple gameplay, there seems to be plenty of room for depth and optimization in the building up of wealth by spreading villages across the planet.”
- “This alternate version has lower performance (framerate) in the endgame.”
- “Processor requirements seem a little high, and with my setup mainly being GPU heavy, I have noticed stuttering already.”
- “The memory leak problem is unfortunate, but the FNA version cleaned up performance and prevented crashes.”
atmosphere
11 mentions
64 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and charming qualities, blending a colorful art style with fun animations and a sense of childish innocence. Reviewers highlight how this pleasant ambiance enhances the strategic gameplay, making it enjoyable and addictive while providing a unique take on world-building. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a delightful backdrop that complements its mechanics and casual playstyle.
- “Reus offers a colorful atmosphere, fun animations & a fairly challenging god game.”
- “It manages to blend a casual atmosphere and a surprising degree of strategy together seamlessly, while still remaining fun to play.”
- “Its art style, music, and atmosphere come together sweetly and make for an enjoyable experience.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game is praised for not relying on in-game purchases, a refreshing change in the current gaming landscape. However, some players feel that the gameplay can become repetitive, reminiscent of mobile farming games, which may detract from the overall experience.
- “Does this game use real money for in-game purchases?”
- “I was really interested in playing this game from the advertisement, but in the end, I found the inner logic counterintuitive, so I ended up removing it from my PC.”
- “To give credit to Abbey, it is great to see a game of this nature in the last decade that doesn't rely on in-game purchases, which easily could have been worked into the game.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players describing it as both heartwarming and challenging, though some express a reluctance to revisit it due to its intense emotional impact.
- “It makes you feel emotional.”
- “A very innocent, heartwarming, challenging game.”