Rise of Industry

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,621 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • grinding
Rise of Industry Game Cover
Beautiful style, polished interactions, but ultimately it just runs out of things to do.
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"Rise of Industry is a strategic tycoon game set in the 1930s, where you build and manage a growing industrial empire in a procedurally generated world. Construct factories, manage supply chains, and trade resources to make your business thrive, while dealing with unpredictable events and AI rivals. Strive for market dominance and avoid hostile takeovers in this engaging and challenging game."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,621 reviews
gameplay155 positive mentions
grinding122 negative mentions
  • The game offers a deep and intricate production chain system that keeps players engaged.
  • The art style is charming and visually appealing, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The developer is very active in the community, responding to feedback and continuously improving the game.
  • The user interface is clunky and can be confusing, making it difficult to manage logistics effectively.
  • The AI competitors are not challenging and often do not provide meaningful competition.
  • There are several bugs and performance issues, particularly with transportation and warehouse logistics.
  • gameplay639 mentions

    The gameplay of "Rise of Industry" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both rewarding and frustrating. While the core mechanics of production and logistics management can be engaging and offer depth once mastered, the game suffers from a lack of clear tutorials, clunky UI, and poorly explained mechanics, leading to a steep learning curve. Additionally, some players feel that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks meaningful challenges, making it less compelling in the long run.

    • “Challenging and rewarding gameplay: mastering the intricacies of managing production, transportation, and finances can be challenging, but also immensely rewarding when you see your empire flourish.”
    • “The gameplay consists of a mix of construction and logistical management, trying to make the most profit within the limited constraints of your budget and available buildings, whilst then investing money into buying more land rights, better technology, and more advanced production chains, to make even greater profits.”
    • “The base gameplay loop, once it clicks, is remarkably fun, and the wide spectrum of different items will keep you entertained for a good while, particularly because the game rewards specialization.”
    • “Sadly, as a whole the game is actually quite well polished and fluid, but a few glaring frustrations tend to dominate the gameplay experience.”
    • “The gameplay leaves me wanting more, but not in the good way.”
    • “In practice the depth and balance of the game mechanics leaves a lot to be desired.”
  • graphics489 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as charming and simplistic, with a low-poly art style that appeals to many players. While some appreciate the clean and colorful visuals that enhance the overall atmosphere, others criticize the graphics for being underwhelming or lacking depth, particularly when compared to more graphically intensive titles. Overall, the aesthetic is seen as a strong point, though opinions vary on its execution and impact on gameplay.

    • “Beautiful and detailed visuals: the isometric visuals are charming and detailed, bringing the bustling factories and sprawling towns to life.”
    • “The graphics are simple yet highly effective, and the music is outstanding.”
    • “The graphics are very pleasing, the music is great, and the UI is a 4/5 which is saying a lot for the genre.”
    • “My main issue is the actual graphical design.”
    • “The graphics when you get into the game are so bad I could barely make it past the first tutorial.”
    • “From the graphics losing all the charm of the promo shots due to pixelation and render errors to the clunky and chaotic UI, the severely limited building and infrastructure options to the even more limited products and research - this game looks great on the store page but disappoints in every single aspect once you load into the game.”
  • grinding124 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and overly complex, with players expressing frustration over the extensive micromanagement required for production and logistics. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of setting up and maintaining supply chains, which can detract from the overall enjoyment, despite some players finding satisfaction in optimizing their operations. While the game offers a variety of strategies and options, the lack of clarity in user experience and the slow progression can make the gameplay feel grindy and unengaging for some.

    • “When I not only have to figure out ratios, but work them out completely out of game because of a lack of clear UX design, the game ticks over from intellectually challenging to simply tedious.”
    • “What really annoyed me though was the tedious aspects of the game such as setting destinations per warehouse, having to tweak destinations for every contract, and especially the lack of ability to copy settings between warehouses.”
    • “The game is very grindy late game.”
  • optimization102 mentions

    The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues, especially on larger maps and during late-game scenarios, leading to low frame rates and stuttering. While some users noted that the game can be enjoyable and fun in terms of logistics and management, the overall consensus is that it requires substantial improvements in optimization and quality-of-life features to enhance the gameplay experience. Many recommend waiting for further updates before diving in, as the current state feels unpolished and buggy.

    • “It created a fun competitive economic dynamic that rewarded heavy optimization and planning, which in my opinion, was the high point of what the game offers.”
    • “I also really like how easy it is to lose if you get lazy with optimization.”
    • “A supply chain game that allows for high level fun watching ants bustle, or a deep fiddly bits game with direct influence on efficiency and optimization control.”
    • “Horribly optimized.”
    • “Rise of Industry is a price-gouging $30 game with little-to-no optimization and broken game mechanics.”
    • “Performance started degrading rapidly for me in mid and late game, especially when running in x4 fast forward mode; the game rarely got more than 30 fps at 1440p on decent hardware.”
  • music92 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players finding it soothing and fitting for the gameplay. While some users appreciate the soundtrack and enjoy listening to it, others prefer to play their own music due to a perceived lack of variety. Overall, the music is described as pleasant and well-integrated with the game's aesthetics, contributing positively to the gaming experience.

    • “The graphics are simple yet highly effective, and the music is outstanding.”
    • “Great soothing music, lovely stylised graphics and fun gameplay.”
    • “It’s a beautiful, very good looking game with a well-designed UI and a very nice soundtrack.”
    • “The game's visuals and soundtrack are solid overall, but a total lack of variety across cities/regions makes repeat playthroughs unappealing.”
    • “The sound is mediocre at best; some you can barely hear, you may as well play your own music while you play.”
    • “Audio: not kick ass, not boring; it is there, some sound effects are there you can hear trucks running while music is playing.”
  • stability72 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its instability, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly related to pathfinding and logistics management. Players often find themselves troubleshooting persistent glitches that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration during gameplay. While some users note occasional fun and potential for improvement, the consensus is that the game remains a "buggy mess" years after its release, requiring significant optimization and fixes.

    • “Overall, the game runs great for an alpha project, and I believe it has a bright future with upcoming changes and upgrades.”
    • “I understand that some players might have issues with it, and no game is bug-free, but in my opinion, the level of polish as well as the amount of content already part of the game and what is to come more than warrant the asking price.”
    • “- Runs great on my system with no bugs found as of yet.”
    • “Probably one of the most buggy sim games you could play, and the devs don't seem to have done much with fixing them since the same bugs I get now were the same ones I had years ago when I first played.”
    • “The game is incredibly buggy, with constant pathing issues, even though roads are connected properly. The built-in starter scenario constantly bugs out and gives impossible objectives, for example: it wants me to sell to the state, but that port is across a river, with no bridges, and I'd need to research that tech. By the time I do, I would go bankrupt.”
    • “This would have been fun if it wasn't a buggy mess three years after release.”
  • replayability72 mentions

    The reviews present a mixed perspective on replayability, with some players praising the game's variety in maps, scenarios, and community-driven updates that enhance replay value, while others criticize the lack of significant differences in gameplay and AI shortcomings that diminish long-term engagement. Overall, while some find the game highly replayable due to its procedural elements and customization options, many feel that it lacks depth and variety, leading to a consensus that replayability is limited.

    • “It has infinite replayability, a dev that sometimes updates his game by the week, listens closely to his community, adds user-suggested content into the game, and caters to the community to make a space for everyone to collectively work together and share experiences.”
    • “Interesting maps provide radical changes in placements, topography, and landmark features for endless replay value.”
    • “Replay value is enhanced as each new game has a different map, with different resources and demand for different products in each region.”
    • “Zero replay value.”
    • “One major drawback to the game is its lack of replayability.”
    • “Games like this need replayability, and unfortunately there's next to no difference in what you produce and there's really only one way to do it.”
  • story62 mentions

    The game's story is described as sad and heartbreaking, but many players feel it lacks depth and engagement, with a desire for a more structured narrative or campaign mode. Reviewers express disappointment over the absence of meaningful missions and scenarios, which detracts from the overall experience and replayability. Overall, while there are hints of a compelling backstory, the execution leaves players wanting more in terms of narrative content and gameplay objectives.

    • “This is a heartbreaking story, and there is more to it, but a sad story around the game doesn't change the feelings I have about how it plays.”
    • “I like Anno games much more, which contain characters, stories, missions, and surprising turns while managing the economy.”
    • “That being said, I would like some sort of story or scenario, because after putting about 20 hours into my first playthrough, I don't really feel like playing again unless I have something to compete against or some sort of goal to accomplish.”
    • “The game lacks any kind of story or campaign mode, which makes it feel shallow and unengaging.”
    • “After putting about 20 hours into my first playthrough, I don't really feel like playing again unless I have something to compete against or some sort of goal to accomplish.”
    • “The game lacks the element to keep my interest going; I don't know if it's because it needs a storyline or better upgrade mechanics.”
  • monetization24 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players labeling it a "cash grab" due to intrusive in-game advertisements for unrelated titles, which detracts from the overall experience. Many users express frustration over the lack of meaningful content and the perception that the game prioritizes profit over player engagement, likening it to mobile games that rely heavily on ads without offering microtransactions. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as a breach of trust, leading to a loss of player interest and support.

    • “This is more like a mobile game, except without the microtransactions.”
    • “Also, there is no advertising campaign as the video talks about, which means that there is no way to influence the market other than flooding it with goods to lower the demand, and that is not a profitable way of doing business.”
    • “Original developer is a real wimp and the game is a cash grab.”
    • “I can't support a game that has advertising pop-ups.”
    • “This game needs content in the initial buy, and here you are cash grabbing and screwing everyone else, then ask me why I gave it a thumbs down?”
  • humor18 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky graphics and a lighthearted tone, often poking fun at players through its challenging mechanics and bugs. Many users find the game's absurdities, such as impossible objectives and pathing issues, to be amusing, creating a sense of irony where the developer seems to mock the player's struggles. Overall, while the humor adds to the game's charm, some players feel that the content is lacking.

    • “Good game, funny and addicting :)”
    • “Nothing revolutionary here, but I like the funny graphics and the relaxed mood.”
    • “It feels like the developer is laughing at me, ha ha ha, stupid player, you did not create this production chain exactly as I imagined it, you will have to restart your game soon, ha ha ha...”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its appealing visuals and engaging aesthetics, enhanced by a fitting musical score. Players appreciate the casual, enjoyable vibe, with the expansion introducing a high-quality sci-fi dystopian flavor that further enriches the overall experience. The cartoonish graphics contribute positively to the atmosphere, making it both clear and inviting.

    • “The expansion adds a new, high-quality sci-fi dystopian flavor to the game, with similar mechanics and a better atmosphere.”
    • “There are minimal bugs, and again the atmosphere is stellar.”
    • “It's not a deep management game; it is more casual than others (like Cities: Skylines), but it's enjoyable and I quite like the aesthetics and the overall atmosphere, to which music contributes a lot.”
    • “It is good; the expansion adds a new, high-quality sci-fi dystopian flavor to the game, similar mechanics, better atmosphere.”
    • “I love the cartoonish graphics; they work very well with the design of the game and the general atmosphere.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The game is noted for its heartbreaking narrative that fosters deep emotional attachment, enhancing the overall experience despite any gameplay criticisms. Players are encouraged to connect with the story on a personal level, making the emotional impact a significant aspect of the game.

    • “This is a heartbreaking story, and there is more to it, but a sad story around the game doesn't change the feelings I have about how it plays.”
    • “Let players get emotionally attached to something.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

64% average critic score

Buy Rise of Industry

Play time

16hMedian play time
29hAverage play time
19hMain story
56hCompletionist
9-26hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 42 analyzed playthroughs

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