Spinnortality | cyberpunk management sim
- February 1, 2019
- James Patton
- 10h median play time
Get on SteamMy new cyberpunk game, "Silicon Dreams" is out nowMy new cyberpunk interrogation game, "Silicon Dreams", is available now! Whether you loved Spinnortality or are a fan of cyberpunk in general, it could be right up your alley. What is "Silicon Dreams"?It's a cyberpunk interrogation sim, inspired by Blade Runner, where you interrogate "deviant" androids. Th…
Reviews
- Engaging gameplay loop with a unique twist on corporate management and marketing strategies.
- Thought-provoking themes that reflect on corporate ethics and societal issues in a cyberpunk setting.
- Well-designed event system that responds to player actions, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Significant balance issues, particularly with worker happiness and the effectiveness of salary increases.
- Repetitive gameplay in the mid to late game, leading to a tedious experience as players manage multiple products across countries.
- Political bias in the narrative and mechanics that may alienate some players, detracting from the overall experience.
- gameplay64 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a stylish atmosphere and a solid core loop that involves managing workers and marketing products, but it suffers from repetitiveness and a lack of depth as players progress. While the mechanics are engaging initially, they can become tedious and grindy, with many players expressing frustration over the limited variety and the need for better automation options. Overall, the game offers a unique premise and some interesting mechanics, but it may not hold long-term appeal due to its shallow gameplay 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.”
- story24 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around managing a corporate startup focused on digital and genetic technologies, with a narrative that explores themes of hyper-capitalism and ethical dilemmas. While the storytelling is text-heavy and can become overwhelming, it is noted for its humor and compelling messages, particularly when engaging with right-wing or corporatist themes. However, players have expressed frustration with the slow progression of story updates and the randomness of board missions, which can detract from the overall experience.
“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.”
“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 some players appreciate the multiple decision trees, endings, and potential for mods, others find the gameplay too similar across playthroughs and lacking in depth. The presence of achievements and a unique cyberpunk setting adds some value, but many feel that the limited competition and mid-game micromanagement detract from the overall replay experience.
“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.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as stylish and fitting for its management sim genre, with a cool aesthetic that enhances immersion, particularly in its dystopian-cyberpunk setting. However, some users note that the graphics are relatively simple and may suffer from glitches, while others feel they do not effectively convey the game's narrative. Overall, the visuals are easy on the eyes and suitable for mobile play, making navigation enjoyable despite some limitations.
“Stylish atmosphere and graphics, adequate gameplay loop.”
“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 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.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to a frustrating micromanagement loop that detracts from the overall experience. While the initial gameplay is engaging, it quickly becomes a chore, with many feeling that the lack of depth and automation options exacerbates the grind. Overall, the game struggles to maintain player interest due to its monotonous tasks and clunky user interface.
“Playing the game itself is tedious.”
“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.”
- 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 praising the soundtrack, many feel it detracts from the overall experience, suggesting it may not align well with the game's intended mood.
“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.”
- 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.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stylish graphics and immersive soundtracks, creating a captivating experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers emphasize that if the trailer's ambiance appeals to you, the full game will likely exceed expectations in terms of atmosphere and overall feel.
“It's dripping with atmosphere and the soundtrack is exactly what you hope it will be.”
“Great atmosphere and feel.”
“If you like the atmosphere from the trailer, buy it.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth that was promised.”
“Despite the stylish graphics, the overall atmosphere fails to engage or immerse the player.”
“The game has a promising setup, but the atmosphere quickly becomes repetitive and dull.”
- 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 environment with no crashes or freezes. The game is generally well-functioning, with a solid tutorial that enhances the user experience.
“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
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization model is generally viewed positively, as the game does not have a high upfront cost of $60 and avoids excessive microtransactions.
“Oh, and it doesn't cost $60 along with microtransactions.”
- 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 beautifully captures the complexities of human emotions, making every choice feel weighty and impactful.”
