The Amazing American Circus

54%
Game Brain Score Based on 64 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • optimization
The Amazing American Circus Game Cover
The Amazing American Circus blends deck building, management and a delightful theme to create something truly special.
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In "The Amazing American Circus," players manage their own circus troupe during the Gilded Age, navigating a unique American form of entertainment filled with folklore, crime, and social inequality. The goal is to establish a successful circus empire by building a troupe, managing the circus camp, and amazing audiences. The game is set in a detailed 2.5D world inspired by 19th-century America.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

54%
Audience ScoreBased on 64 reviews
gameplay6 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and engaging circus theme that adds a refreshing twist to the deckbuilding genre.
  • The mechanics, while initially confusing, offer depth and strategy, particularly with the way card effects impact HP and performance.
  • The variety of performers and their unique abilities create interesting gameplay dynamics and encourage experimentation.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks meaningful variation in encounters, leading to a sense of tedium after a while.
  • Many mechanics are poorly explained, resulting in confusion and frustration for players trying to understand how to effectively build their decks.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs and unresponsive controls, which detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay35 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique mechanics and strategic depth, while others find it confusing and poorly balanced. Many users noted that the tutorial and explanations for mechanics are lacking, leading to frustration and a repetitive gameplay loop. Overall, while the game offers interesting concepts, the execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a gameplay experience that can be both engaging and tedious.

    • “The mechanics themselves also start to play nicely with the nature of deckbuilders, taking game mechanics and deciding how they actually translate to reality.”
    • “This game is oddly a ton of fun; the mechanics take a while to get used to, but once it happens, it's never boring. I found the quirks a refreshing way to limit players, and having to constantly work around them, as well as the cards, was more fun than I thought it would be frustrating.”
    • “It's a really unique mechanic as far as card battlers go and ends up requiring much deeper strategy.”
    • “The mechanics themselves and the drive to create the best deck don’t motivate the player forward.”
    • “It has a thin layer of RPG doing its best to propel the player forward through a repetitive and dull gameplay loop that, once solved, rapidly wears out its welcome.”
    • “The gameplay is just boring.”
  • story11 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag; while some players find it unengaging and thin, others appreciate its unique setting and the variety of characters involved. The main plot may lack depth, but side quests introduce unexpected elements that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the narrative is described as cheesy yet immersive, with strong artwork and music complementing the storytelling.

    • “I enjoy the storyline and the different performers you can add to your circus.”
    • “Artwork, music, and story are fantastic.”
    • “Cheesy in some areas, but still sets the immersive backstory for the game.”
    • “The plot is thin, and once the sheer length of the journey to the end becomes clear, that plot is nowhere near enough to actually keep the player invested.”
    • “Instead, the game relies on its story and the protagonist to keep the player motivated and willing to follow the trail laid out before them.”
    • “I don't know how reviews are saying it's generic; it has a really different setting, story, and characters.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game's optimization is criticized for its clunky performance, leading to a monotonous experience despite its interesting concept and beautiful graphics. While the circus-themed card battles offer a unique twist, they can feel repetitive, and players may struggle with motivation during encounters. However, as players progress and build their circus, the gameplay becomes more enjoyable and manageable.

    • “The game is fantastic, and while it can be tough, after the first three or so performances, it really gets fun and easier after you build up your circus.”
    • “But here you are not only creating your own performance, but also fighting with bank security, etc. Every new city is a surprise!”
    • “The circus performance takes place in the form of card battles.”
    • “The game has an interesting concept, but a very clunky performance.”
    • “Succeeding in performances until a final showdown with Buffalo Bill, but the theme and variation of just about every stop soon becomes monotonous, leaving you wondering what's motivating you to continue each of these encounters.”
    • “In general, beautiful graphics and good music, but card fights have been replaced by circus performances.”
  • graphics7 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and captivating visuals, which effectively enhance the overall aesthetic and theme of managing a circus. Players appreciate the combination of stunning artwork, engaging music, and thoughtful bonus materials that contribute to an immersive experience. The art and animation not only attract players but also make the game accessible, even for those unfamiliar with card-based mechanics.

    • “I like the concept and the art style.”
    • “I was so excited to get it - I love the aesthetic and art, and the idea of managing your own circus was so intriguing. I also like how you pick different performers, finales, and misfits per show.”
    • “The art style is what drew me to this game in the first place. Months before it was released, I saw an ad for it and immediately wanted to play it. The art and animation in the game do not disappoint.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, described as entertaining and catchy, with beautiful graphics complementing it. However, some players feel that the limited variety of tracks, particularly a single circus tune, detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that more diverse music would enhance the gameplay. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, it lacks the variety expected in a circus-themed setting.

    • “The music of the game is entertaining, but there should be many more tracks as it is in a real circus.”
    • “Music is well done.”
    • “Pleasant music.”
    • “If you manage to survive the first two tents, you will run out of money, so you cannot buy food or hire more artists. It actually becomes an endless losing series, spiced with one single track of circus music throughout the whole gameplay.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as tedious and unengaging, with players finding the repetitive nature of the gameplay to be a dull slog. The lack of incentive to change or progress further exacerbates the feeling of monotony, leading to an overall negative experience.

    • “Subverting a genre’s conventions into something that doesn’t work doesn’t make a game interesting, just tedious.”
    • “Once you have a set-up that works, the process to change it becomes so tedious as to be non-existent, and the incentive to change is non-existent.”
    • “Instead, it just becomes a dull, tedious slog through small American town after small American town.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is consistently praised, with users highlighting it as both good and amazing, indicating a strong and immersive experience.

    • “Amazing atmosphere.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report a generally stable experience with occasional issues; while some have encountered bugs and crashes, others have experienced significant glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as a freezing issue that requires restarting battles.

    • “Also ran into a nasty bug that freezes your hand in between acts. The only fix I found is to close the game and redo the battle, which is very frustrating.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game has minimal replayability, with many users indicating that it lacks incentives to play through again.

    • “Replayability is essentially zero and really should be noted.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages, appealing to both younger and older audiences alike.

    • “Fun for all ages, with a bit of humor added into the mix that appeals to both the young and the old.”
    • “The humor is cleverly woven into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable and light-hearted.”
    • “I love how the game balances its challenges with hilarious moments that keep you laughing throughout.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

63% average critic score

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Play time

100hMedian play time
100hAverage play time
100-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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