Saloon Simulator: Prologue
- June 5, 2024
- Glivi Games S.A.
- 2h median play time
Get on SteamAmerica, 19th century after the Civil War. Sand dunes, hot sun, and galloping horses - feel it all while holding a portion of Tequila on ice in your hand. In Saloon Simulator Prologue, take on the challenge of rebuilding an old saloon in the heart of the Wild West and become a pioneer in the liquor business. Prepare drinks, serve them to customers, and discover their stories Not everything …
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a unique and engaging concept, allowing players to manage a saloon with various tasks like bartending, cooking, and cleaning.
- Many players find the gameplay mechanics enjoyable, particularly the drink-making and saloon customization aspects.
- The storyline shows promise, with intriguing elements and potential for expansion in the full version.
- The AI-generated voice acting is widely criticized for being poor and lifeless, detracting from the overall experience.
- Numerous bugs and performance issues have been reported, including crashes and gameplay mechanics that do not function as intended.
- The pacing of the game can feel overwhelming, with too many tasks and customers to manage simultaneously, leading to a frustrating experience.
- story57 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it intriguing and engaging, particularly appreciating its mysterious elements and potential for expansion. However, criticisms arise regarding the execution, including issues with AI-generated voices, lack of character animation, and unclear objectives, which detract from the overall experience. While the narrative shows promise, players hope for improvements in the full release to enhance immersion and coherence.
“The storyline is intriguing.”
“Very interesting story with some mystery to it.”
“The story itself could be interesting with more work put into it.”
“The AI voices are the worst; it makes the game boring when any sort of dialogue or story is going on. The story seems like it can be great, but if the AI are in full release, I will not be playing.”
“The only thing I found a little irritating was the use of swear words. It was used in an attempt to give characters more depth, but I feel it failed because of the unemotional AI-like voices that are used. The motionless faces do not help either.”
“Having no choices (or just as bad - choices that don't really matter) is the mark of a crappy story.”
- gameplay41 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics, particularly in bartending and cooking, which offer a unique and enjoyable experience. However, players have noted significant bugs, issues with AI voice acting, and some repetitive tasks that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these drawbacks, many find the gameplay loop to be versatile and immersive, with potential for further improvement.
“I love the mechanics and the gameplay so much.”
“The gameplay was so smooth and the story was engaging.”
“Right off the bat, I have to mention that this game takes mechanics similar to other well-known simulator games and utilizes them in a fantastic way.”
“Painfully obvious AI-generated voices, buggy gameplay (i.e. can't clean some stains, early quest completely bugged out, some settings randomly like volume settings reset even after applying them, door to the bar spontaneously closes on itself, etc.), not very historically accurate if you're nitpicky about that.”
“But there are certain parts of each gameplay element which can feel dull or get tedious to repetitively do.”
“While dealing with all the customers, the amount of sweeping you have to do is also ridiculous, which gameplay loop feels more like a lottery scratch game and the cobweb kept spawning back after 30 seconds so in the end I just gave up on sweeping it.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Saloon Simulator: Prologue" are praised for their immersive western aesthetic, but players report significant optimization issues, leading to severe frame rate drops even on mid-range PCs. While the environmental graphics and overall design are appreciated, many feel that improvements are needed to enhance performance and address bugs. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, but technical refinements are essential for a smoother experience.
“In 'Saloon Simulator: Prologue', we find ourselves in that magical western world with stunning environmental graphics, music, lighting, and similar factors.”
“Enjoyed the prologue; the graphics are impressive and the storyline is engaging.”
“The graphics are done so well that it’s easy to immerse yourself in the gameplay.”
“The game needs to be optimized; there is no way my computer can run this. I have to set it to very low graphics just to get any frame rate, and there are constant FPS changes from 15 to 60 back and forth.”
“I'm using a mid-range PC with an RX6750XT and an i5-12400F, but no matter if I set the graphics to the lowest or the highest, there are severe frame drops.”
“In my opinion, the graphics could be better. I encountered a few bugs, but it's a demo, so I know it won't be perfect.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with players reporting severe frame rate fluctuations and the need to set graphics to very low for playable performance. Many have noted that the game features rough models, buggy character movements, and placeholder AI-generated voices, indicating a lack of polish and stability. Overall, the consensus is that substantial optimization is required to enhance the gaming experience.
“Of course, it needs some optimization, but I have to say that I loved it from the beginning.”
“It could certainly use some optimization, but I'm more concerned about the gameplay in a sim game like this.”
“Models are rough, collisions and animations need to be fixed, performance needs to be optimized.”
“The game needs to be optimized; there is no way my computer can run this. I have to set it to very low graphics just to get any frame rate, and there are constant FPS changes from 15 to 60 back and forth.”
“Firstly, the most serious issue is the poor optimization of the game.”
“No optimization at all, broken quests, all voices are AI placeholders, and the character movement is bugged.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs affecting gameplay, such as unresponsive mechanics, random resets of settings, and freezing issues. Users express frustration over the prevalence of these glitches, which detract significantly from the overall experience, suggesting that while the game has potential, its current state is far from polished.
“Painfully obvious AI-generated voices, buggy gameplay (i.e. can't clean some stains, early quest completely bugged out, some settings randomly reset even after applying them, door at the bar spontaneously closes on itself, etc.), not very historically accurate if you're nitpicky about that.”
“Game would be really nice but is very, very buggy.”
“Filled with bugs; the game freezes the player camera randomly throughout the gameplay.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in tasks like serving food and managing the inventory menu. While some initially enjoy these elements, they often become dull over time, though the game is recognized for its simulator qualities.
“But there are certain parts of each gameplay element which can feel dull or get tedious to repetitively do.”
“I liked that part of the game at first but after a while it gets tedious.”
“Outside of this, this game is tedious, but it is supposed to be a simulator, and the game is great in that regard.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players finding it genuinely funny and capable of eliciting laughter. The combination of an interesting plot and comedic elements, particularly the amusing ragdoll effect, contributes to its appeal. Overall, players are looking forward to the full release to experience more of its humor.
“Lmao, got me laughing for a minute.”
“Oh, and devs, do not change the ragdoll effect; it is hilarious.”
“Funny game, waiting for the full release.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in "Saloon Simulator: Prologue" enhances the immersive western atmosphere, contributing to the game's engaging environment. Players express a desire for more musical elements and entertainment options, indicating that the soundtrack plays a significant role in their enjoyment and the overall saloon experience.
“In 'Saloon Simulator: Prologue', we find ourselves in that magical western world with environmental graphics, music, lighting, and similar factors.”
“Hopefully the saloon gets way more patrons and I can hire some helpful assistants for music or entertainment.”
“After almost 4 hours of pouring drinks and cleaning tables, I found out that I want to play more, probably hire some ladies and musicians for my saloon.”
“The music in the game feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during long play sessions.”
“While the environmental graphics are impressive, the music does not match the atmosphere and often feels out of place.”
“I was hoping for a more immersive musical experience, but the soundtrack is underwhelming and fails to enhance the gameplay.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers express disappointment in the emotional delivery of the game, citing robotic voice acting and lack of facial expressions that detract from character depth. However, as the story progresses, players find themselves engaged and eager to meet new characters and explore the narrative, indicating that the underlying story has potential to evoke excitement.
“As the story starts to unfold, you look forward to meeting new characters and get excited about the upcoming revelations. I like that there is actually a story here; I was waiting for this for a long time.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really draws you in, making you feel invested in their journeys and struggles.”
“The game masterfully captures the essence of human emotions, allowing players to connect deeply with the narrative and its characters.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, suggesting that it prioritizes profit over player experience.
“This sure looks like an EA cash grab.”
“The monetization system feels exploitative and overly aggressive.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is engaging and immersive, particularly for fans of the western theme, with opportunities for full saloon customization and a fast-paced gameplay experience. However, some users noted that the graphics could be improved and encountered minor bugs, which may detract from the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the western era. The ability to personalize your saloon adds a unique touch that enhances the overall experience.”
“I love the vibrant and lively atmosphere of the game. It captures the essence of a bustling saloon perfectly, with all the sounds and visuals that make it feel authentic.”
“The game's atmosphere is captivating, with a rich attention to detail that transports you to another time and place. It's a joy to explore and interact with the environment.”
