STATIONflow
- April 15, 2020
- DMM GAMES
- 11h median play time
Even if STATIONflow is about as dull as can be visually, and feels a bit rough around the edges mechanically, the rewarding gameplay often shone through, engaging me for hours on end.
Get on Steam"STATIONflow is a simulation game where you build and manage an underground train station, directing the flow of thousands of passengers. Create 3D layouts, place structures and transport options, and use signage to guide passengers. Your goal is to efficiently manage congestion and get passengers to their destinations quickly."
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Reviews
- Engaging and addictive gameplay that challenges players to optimize subway station layouts and manage passenger flow effectively.
- Minimalist graphics and intuitive controls make it easy to learn, while the increasing complexity keeps the experience fresh and interesting.
- The game incorporates various passenger types with unique needs, adding depth to the management and design aspects.
- Performance issues arise when managing large stations with many passengers, leading to significant lag and reduced gameplay experience.
- The signposting system can become tedious, requiring constant updates as new exits and platforms are added, which can clutter the screen.
- Lack of updates and additional content post-launch has left some players feeling that the game is incomplete and in need of further development.
- gameplay36 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Overcrowded" and similar titles is characterized by simple yet engaging mechanics that involve managing employee tasks and navigating commuter challenges, such as misplaced signs and pathfinding issues. While the core gameplay loop is enjoyable and offers a satisfying progression system, players have noted that it can become repetitive after a few hours, with some mechanics lacking clarity and requiring external resources for better understanding. Overall, the game presents a unique blend of management and puzzle-solving, but it would benefit from further refinement and additional content to enhance the experience.
“It is cool watching something work out, and once you grasp the basic mechanics, it is quite simple.”
“The main gameplay loop is drawing out new parts of your station while paused, then unpausing and trying to see where the problems are.”
“This hidden gem is a management game that successfully walks the line between zen relaxation and chaotic scrambling as the game introduces new challenging mechanics.”
“This essentially is a bad mechanic because all it does is make you place more signs that shouldn't need to be there, increasing workload and clutter.”
“1 - gameplay basically exists while time is paused, and the rest of the time is just watching people run around.”
“I don't know if the AI tries to mimic actual people because many of them will ignore signs and complain to get to their destination. There is a weird mechanic with pathfinding where they can see exits or stairs across the world but not the sign above their head.”
- graphics25 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a clean, minimalist aesthetic that enhances gameplay without being overly complex. While some players appreciate the simplicity and clarity, noting that it contributes to an immersive experience, others feel that the minimalism can sometimes hinder clarity. Overall, the visuals are effective and well-suited for the game's mechanics, though there are occasional performance issues during crowded scenarios.
“The simple graphics work really well with the game, and there's something almost addictive about trying to get the most efficiency out of a station.”
“Stationflow visually takes on an almost unique approach; its minimalistic graphics give a real sense of something unique, and as you build more and more complex 3D layouts for your station, you really need to keep on top of things if you want to keep your passengers happy.”
“The graphics are simple, but sharp and clean.”
“The graphics are pretty basic, but that doesn't impact gameplay.”
“My only complaints are that frame rate can drop when a station is crowded even on a relatively powerful PC, which is surprising given that the graphics aren’t that complex.”
“It used to be okay, with minimalistic graphics, but the experience just got ruined.”
- optimization17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it starts off well, performance significantly deteriorates as players expand their stations, particularly when managing large numbers of pedestrians. Many users report that the game is CPU-bound, leading to slowdowns and choppy gameplay in the late stages, and there are concerns that no further patches will address these issues. Despite these performance challenges, players who enjoy route-planning and optimization find the game engaging and rewarding.
“This is exactly the kind of game I'm wired to enjoy; route-planning, optimization, and a small sprinkling of tedium.”
“It's optimized for people who like to optimize.”
“Really great game for those who like efficiency and optimization.”
“For me, the best public transport management strategy, but with poor performance (bad optimization) and hard achievements even with 'cheating' (creating specific maps in the bundled editor).”
“Fun game with lots of potential, but as your station gets larger, the game's performance begins to tank.”
“Game is poorly optimized (CPU bound) - in the beginning, there are no issues at all, but once you reach the current end game with 8-10 stations, the game starts to get choppy.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is seen as a mixed bag; while some players find it infinitely replayable and addictive, others note limitations due to a lack of variety and randomization, with only one map available currently. Suggestions for improvement include adding more events and enhancing AI behavior to boost replay value. Despite its limitations, many agree that the game still offers solid entertainment for its price.
“Infinitely replayable.”
“Unbelievably good, and very impressive addictiveness/replayability for an indie 1.0.0 early release.”
“Obviously some randomization when a new game is started will definitely increase its replayability, but just working with this one scenario has had me hooked.”
“This means you can only really find entertainment replaying the level better, which has very limited replayability.”
“I am comparing to something like Overcrowd, which currently offers a bit more variety and replay value.”
“Currently, it seems there's only one map to play which limits the replayability of the game.”
- stability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report good performance and a mostly bug-free experience, issues like NPC pathfinding glitches and limited elevator functionality detract from the overall quality. Some users find the game enjoyable and visually appealing, but others criticize it for being unfinished and buggy, particularly in terms of accessibility features.
“Now the game works perfectly fine, and besides the occasional pedestrian getting lost for no reason—which is never game-breaking—it is mostly bug-free and performance is good.”
“Runs great, looks awesome, and seems to do a great job of accomplishing what they've set out to do.”
“Not buggy, nice campaign so far.”
“However, the elevator implementation is flawed (allows only 2 floors); elevators are not available from the start, violating disability legislation; passenger pathfinding is very buggy; financial model is weak.”
“Not worth paying for a half-finished, buggy, abandoned game.”
“Even after resolving some glitches, such as NPCs commonly losing their way in overly wide hallways and plazas, the problem was still quite apparent with up to a hundred people lost for no reason.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly as station expansion requires repetitive tasks like updating signs and placing floor tiles. While some enjoy the simulation elements, many feel that the challenge does not increase with complexity, leading to frustration rather than engaging gameplay. Overall, the grinding can detract from the enjoyment, making it a significant drawback for those not deeply invested in the genre.
“It is a tedious nightmare.”
“Further to that, as your station expands you'll need to update every single sign one at a time and this gets incredibly tedious in larger stations.”
“Maybe later on more interesting things get added, but for now I find myself spending more time on tedious things than solving interesting problems.”
- story6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, with some users likening it to playing "Temple Run" where narrative is not a focus. While a few mention an "epic story," the overall sentiment suggests that the narrative is either minimal or non-existent, leaving players wanting more depth.
“Epic story.”
“This game has no story.”
“It's like playing 'Temple Run' for the story.”
“The moral of the story is that as more people come, the traffic of their feet alone makes it complicated.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its incredible and calming soundtrack, which enhances the overall experience, particularly in the puzzle genre. However, some users express a desire for more variety, noting that the game features only one main song.
“The soundtrack alone would sell this game!”
“It's a lovely puzzle game with wonderful calming music.”
“What stands out to me for a mile is the incredible soundtrack!”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the game to be highly entertaining, noting its clever delivery and amusing elements that enhance the overall experience.
“But this is so funny!”
“And they have a funny way of letting you know ;)”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is well-received, with users appreciating the charming graphics and overall execution, suggesting that the ads enhance rather than detract from the gaming experience.
