Spinnortality
- February 1, 2019
- James Patton
- 10h median play time
"Spinnortality is a single-player strategy game with good gameplay and lots of grinding, set in a cyberpunk world where you can found a corporation, spread fake news, cause riots, and even achieve immortality. This 8-20 hour turn-based management game allows you to achieve immortality with cutting-edge tech, bribe politicians, and spread fake news. Praised for its depth, stylish visuals, and addictive gameplay."
Reviews
- Engaging and addictive gameplay that combines management simulation with a cyberpunk theme.
- Offers multiple paths to victory and a variety of strategies, making each playthrough unique.
- Well-written narrative and humor that adds depth to the gameplay experience.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, especially in the late game with constant relaunching of products.
- Some mechanics, such as the board's demands and worker management, can feel unbalanced and frustrating.
- Political bias in the game's narrative may alienate some players and detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay63 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a solid core loop involving management mechanics and product marketing, which can be engaging and addictive, especially in the early hours. However, many players find the experience becomes repetitive and tedious as they progress, with a lack of depth and variety in gameplay mechanics leading to frustration. While the game features interesting themes and complex systems, it suffers from balance issues and a need for better automation to enhance the overall experience.
“The gameplay loop ramps up quite nicely.”
“Different strategies yield different results and gameplay.”
“The core gameplay loop of managing workers and selling products is engaging enough to keep you interested as the plot slowly arches towards fantastical technologies and unethical decisions.”
“Then by the time you have a grasp of the mechanics, you realize that the game is incredibly short and shallow, and has an immediately glaring problem preventing you from effectively reaching the meat of the late-game and plot.”
“There are far better management games, with far deeper micro and macro management that I really can't recommend this game, as its lack of real depth and tedious gameplay loop, with a system that tries to aid the player but only serves to impede decision making.”
“Gameplay will quickly become repetitive and there is very little variation in each playthrough, with the game effectively punishing you if you try to deviate too far from the norm.”
- story23 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in the game is primarily conveyed through text, which some players find overwhelming, and it often feels repetitive and slow to evolve. While the narrative explores themes of hyper-capitalism and unethical corporate practices, many reviewers note that the political elements seem secondary and could benefit from more depth and engagement. Despite these criticisms, the core gameplay and emergent storytelling are engaging, with some players appreciating the humor and unique quests that drive the narrative forward.
“In Spinnortality, you play the head of a brand-new corporate startup whose mission statement is to develop digital and genetic technologies, have their board of directors become immortal, and take over the world.”
“The storytelling is phenomenal, and the vibe of the entire game is so spot-on with its own message that it's incredibly compelling.”
“While I wouldn't call this a 'perfect' management sim, the core gameplay loop of managing workers and selling products is engaging enough to keep you interested as the plot slowly arches towards fantastical technologies and unethical decisions, which seems to be the real point of the game in my opinion.”
“The storylines update haphazardly and at a snail's pace.”
“The game relies on a lot of text messages to tell you the story, but these soon get overwhelming and you can't read all the text that gets thrown at you.”
“It seems like the politics are more of an afterthought because ultimately you can make all the money you need without really ever needing to try to change laws.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while many players appreciate the variety of decision trees, multiple endings, and potential for mods, others find the gameplay too similar across playthroughs and lacking in depth. Some users highlight the enjoyment of hunting achievements and the unique cyberpunk setting, but a significant number express disappointment in the limited competition and shallow mechanics that hinder long-term engagement.
“Very good turn-based management strategy with considerable replay value and a cool cyberpunk setting.”
“There's a ton of different decision trees to explore, so there's also replay value.”
“There's a fair bit of replay value, too, with multiple endings both obvious (through the focus trees) and not (through endgame crises).”
“What it lacks is replayability; playthroughs feel too similar to each other.”
“Overall, I found the game kind of shallow with limited replayability.”
“In Spinnortality, there is no competition except the clock, and there are so few paths you can take that I really don't see any replayability here.”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it atmospheric and fitting for the cyberpunk theme, while others describe it as repetitive, generic, or even off-putting. Despite a few positive remarks about the soundtrack's ability to enhance the game's ambiance, many users express disappointment, suggesting it detracts from the overall experience.
“Very enjoyable and love the music.”
“It's dripping with atmosphere and the soundtrack is exactly what you hope it will be.”
“The music is somewhat generic but has a futuristic vibe that fits really well with the theme of the game.”
“The music is a bit off-putting, but that is the only downfall of this game in my opinion.”
“The music is a tad repetitive and changes tracks very often.”
“I thought the music would be better suited to a horror-type game, so I shut it off.”
- grinding11 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late-game where micromanagement becomes a chore. While the initial gameplay loop is engaging, it quickly devolves into a monotonous cycle of similar tasks, leading to frustration and a lack of depth. Overall, the grind detracts from the enjoyment, making it hard to recommend despite some interesting concepts.
“So, to contrast this, you're forced into one of the most tedious micromanagement loops I've ever experienced.”
“There are far better management games, with far deeper micro and macro management that I really can't recommend this game, as its lack of real depth and tedious gameplay loop, with a system that tries to aid the player but only serves to impede decision making.”
“One problem, though, is that while the initial gameplay loop is fun as you learn and experiment, it does get tedious as you'll end up doing the same thing turn after turn.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple yet effective, fitting well within its management sim genre and contributing to an immersive dystopian-cyberpunk aesthetic. While some users noted minor graphical glitches and a lack of storytelling through visuals, the overall design is considered easy on the eyes and suitable for mobile play, making navigation enjoyable. Despite their simplicity, the graphics do not detract from the game's themes and gameplay experience.
“The graphics are what they need to be; after all, this is a kind of management sim and has a nice feel to it.”
“The dystopian-cyberpunk setting is nice; even with very basic graphics, it's quite immersive.”
“The graphics don't really tell the story; the user interface you see at startup is about the only graphics you will see all the way through.”
“Simple gameplay, and a bit of graphics glitches present on OSX, but the narrative and idea behind it are awesome.”
“The graphics are relatively simple but are very easy on the eye and make navigating the game a painless and enjoyable experience.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its satirical take on conflict-driven storytelling, often leaning into absurd and exaggerated scenarios that provide a comedic tone. Players find the writing amusing and appreciate the ridiculousness of the situations, which, combined with engaging gameplay mechanics, creates a fun and addictive experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
“With all that being said, I think this gives the game a rather humorous tone, and a quality of writing worth reading through just for the ridiculousness of the scenarios as they arise.”
“Nice minimalistic funny tour to world domination.”
“Apart from the humorous social comment, it's also a fun simulation game that lets you throw the world into chaos, while you come out on top with black ops, a mutant workforce, and relentless AIs that help you consolidate your power and secure immortality.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with many users noting that it effectively captures the essence showcased in the trailer. The immersive environment and fitting soundtrack contribute significantly to the overall experience, creating a captivating and engaging ambiance.
“Great atmosphere and feel.”
“If you like the atmosphere from the trailer, buy it.”
“It's dripping with atmosphere and the soundtrack is exactly what you hope it will be.”
- stability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, users report mixed stability experiences; while some encountered minor graphics glitches on OSX, others experienced a completely bug-free and smooth gameplay with no crashes or freezes. The tutorial is consistently praised for its clarity and effectiveness.
“For $9, the writing was great, the ideas were well presented and interesting, the tutorial was excellent, and everything was bug-free and well-functioning.”
“I experienced no bugs, no freezes, no crashes, and the tutorial is really good and easy to follow!”
“Simple gameplay, and a bit of graphics glitches present on OSX, but the narrative and idea behind it are awesome.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization model is viewed positively, as the game is not priced at $60 and does not heavily rely on microtransactions.
“Oh, and it doesn't cost $60 along with microtransactions.”
“The game feels like a cash grab with all the additional purchases required.”
“It's frustrating that you can't enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game evokes strong feelings of guilt and self-reflection, with some stating it is the first time a game has made them confront their own moral choices and feel like a terrible person.
“I'm pretty sure this is the first time a game has actually made me feel like a terrible person.”
“The emotional depth of the characters left me in tears; I felt their pain and joy as if it were my own.”
“This game took me on an emotional rollercoaster, making me question my choices and their impact on the story.”