The Promised Land

About

In "The Promised Land," you lead a group of settlers to build a thriving colony in an untamed land, requiring careful planning for food, shelter, jobs, and protection. Citizens have unique temperaments, and external threats like pirates and wild tribes add to the challenges. Balancing production and addressing various issues are key to creating a successful colony.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 393 reviews

gameplay18 positive mentions

replayability13 negative mentions

Charming graphics and animations that create a pleasant atmosphere.
Casual gameplay that allows for a relaxing experience without the pressure of failure.
Engaging mechanics with a variety of tasks and mini-games that keep the gameplay interesting.

Linear progression with limited replayability, as the game follows a predetermined path.
Lack of challenge and depth, making it feel repetitive after a while.
Technical issues such as crashes and inability to run in the background can hinder the experience.

gameplay
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
65%
9%
The gameplay is characterized by its casual, easy-to-learn mechanics, primarily focused on colony management and resource gathering, with a linear progression that may limit replayability. Players appreciate the charming art style and addictive nature of the game, though some find it grindy and lacking depth compared to more complex titles in the genre. Overall, it offers around 10-15 hours of enjoyable gameplay, making it a solid choice for casual gamers, despite some criticisms regarding its simplicity and occasional clunky mechanics.
- “The graphics are sublime, the music is heavenly, and the gameplay is as addictive as the fruit from the tree of knowledge.”
- “The gameplay is easy enough to grasp, but has a certain pace to it that kept it interesting - despite a few instances of waiting for enough resources to tick in.”
- “It's a city building/management game and although it is advertised as casual, it presents deeper gameplay mechanics than what you would expect, the balance is good, lots of resources to find and collect, upgrades to do to your buildings and ship, lab tech with new technologies etc.”
- “I'm also a bit disappointed by the limited replayability, since the gameplay is so controlled/linear.”
- “The gameplay is slow and strict, so you must just wait often.”
- “However, I can't help but think if they focused more on the game itself, and less on adding minigames that are way too easy, short and with bad mechanics, then this game would be way more awesome.”
graphics
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their cute, colorful, and cartoonish style, which enhances the overall relaxing and enjoyable gameplay experience. Many users appreciate the unique art style and smooth animations, although some note that the graphics may feel simplistic or reminiscent of children's games. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's charm, making it visually appealing despite some minor technical issues.
- “The graphics are sublime, the music is heavenly, and the gameplay is as addictive as the fruit from the tree of knowledge.”
- “Vibrant graphics, and the soundtrack is nothing short of amazing.”
- “The graphics are very cute and detailed but it’s too bad that we can’t zoom back as the camera is really too close.”
- “Uninspiring gameplay and terrible graphics.”
- “To be honest it's just an incremental game you could find on the web wrapped in pretty graphics.”
- “People call the graphics 'cute' but in fact the graphics are not so cute.”
story
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
85%
8%
The game's story is described as simple and linear, focusing on building a new town and completing quests, with a moral about perseverance. While the narrative is engaging enough to tie the gameplay together, many reviewers noted that it is short and lacks depth, with some quests feeling poorly timed or uncoordinated with the player's progress. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop for resource management and mini-games, making it suitable for a younger audience but less appealing for those seeking a complex narrative experience.
- “The graphics are cute, there's just enough of a story to tie it together.”
- “Decent storyline and a continued desire to see what happens next.”
- “You'll gradually manage more and more colonists with varying abilities as you explore the map and make the most of all the land has to offer, as you quest for the fabled fountain of happiness.”
- “It's a great shame the developers didn't include many more storylines to play through, as they had the basis of a winner here if only they had gone the extra mile.”
- “There is unfortunately no replayability as the storyline is very structured and there’s very little scope for personalizing the characters or the end outcome of the game.”
- “The story does not change, but the sub-games and resource strategy make it replayable if you are not looking for anything too deep.”
replayability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
56%
36%
Overall, the game exhibits very little to no replayability, with many players noting its linear gameplay and lack of varied scenarios or challenges. While some find it enjoyable for a short playthrough of about 10-15 hours, the consensus is that once completed, there is minimal incentive to revisit it. A few players mention occasional returns for relaxation or achievement hunting, but these instances do not significantly enhance the game's replay value.
- “It's a great little game, with about 10-15 hours of gameplay but with very little replay value.”
- “The story does not change, but the sub-games and resource strategy make it replayable if you are not looking for anything too deep.”
- “Although I initially wanted to write that it doesn't have any replay value, I actually catch myself revisiting this game once or twice a year.”
- “Fun game but short and no replay value as it's rinse and repeat.”
- “I'm also a bit disappointed by the limited replayability, since the gameplay is so controlled/linear.”
- “There is no replay value at all.”
music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
39%
9%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and enjoyable qualities, often described as heavenly, relaxing, and appropriate for the gameplay. Many players appreciate the vibrant soundtrack, noting that it enhances the overall experience without becoming repetitive, making it ideal for late-night play or relaxation. While some find the music fair or not worth purchasing separately, the general consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's charm and addictiveness.
- “The graphics are sublime, the music is heavenly, and the gameplay is as addictive as the fruit from the tree of knowledge.”
- “Vibrant graphics, and the soundtrack is nothing short of amazing.”
- “The music is very calming and the general play style is involved enough to keep your attention, but the management style doesn't get you micromanaging to the point of stress.”
- “The music is fair and doesn't get too old until about 6-7 hours in.”
- “But I would not buy the soundtrack if one existed.”
- “I hear music, but see only a white screen.”
grinding
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight that the game features a blend of resource management elements such as farming, building, and trading, but is criticized for its grindy and tedious gameplay. While some players appreciate the casual nature and charming aesthetics, many find the micromanagement and repetitive tasks detract from the overall experience, making it feel superficial and lacking in depth. Overall, it is seen as a pleasant but grind-heavy game that may appeal more to younger audiences.
- “For a few bucks it's pretty good, but very casual and grindy.”
- “Predictable, grindy, slow, made for younger audiences.”
- “Grindy resource management with few surprises.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting frequent glitches and issues, while others find it to be relatively bug-free and well-executed. Overall, the experience varies significantly among players, with some expressing frustration over persistent problems and others enjoying a stable gameplay experience.
- “It looks like a mobile port; it seems to be well done and bug-free.”
- “Gameplay is relatively bug-free.”
- “Game glitches every time I play it.”
- “Update: 15 days later, the game still glitches.”
- “Not worth troubleshooting due to age and lackluster gameplay.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing expressions of characters, particularly during comedic animations and interactions, such as carrying heavy objects or engaging in quirky activities. Players appreciate the blend of cute character designs and funny sound effects, which enhance the overall experience and keep them engaged. The game's lightheartedness and surprises contribute to its charm, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a humorous gaming experience.
- “And the looks on the little dudes' faces, especially when they're carrying something heavy or you pick them up, is pretty funny.”
- “In the happy hereafter, there’s a lot of humor; in Virtual Villagers, there are mysteries and surprises to discover.”
- “I recommend this game for cute character designs, the great background music, some hilarious animations with sounds (e.g., male characters eating, alpaca shaving, etc.), and interesting elements with the gameplay (ship battles, house/room management).”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The game's optimization has been criticized for frequent stuttering and brief black screen flashes, which disrupt gameplay. However, players have the option to replay mini-games to enhance their performance scores, suggesting some level of engagement with the optimization process.
- “Players are able to replay many of the mini-games to try and improve their performance scores.”
- “The game offers various strategies for optimizing your approach, allowing for a tailored experience.”
- “I love how the optimization mechanics encourage experimentation and skill improvement.”
- “The game kept stuttering and flashing a black screen with some sort of white lined pattern for a fraction of a second.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a relaxed, colonial village-building experience that offers a pleasant and enjoyable environment. Players appreciate the low-pressure setting, which allows for casual gameplay while still providing incentives for quicker progress.
- “If you're really into having a game that provides a nice atmosphere and a couple of hours of enjoyment, look no further.”
- “It's a kind of casual village-building endeavor in a colonial atmosphere, with very little pressure outside the push for that little extra to get some jobs done a bit faster for quicker rewards.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization model of the game is praised for being non-intrusive, as it features no microtransactions and avoids the stress and pressure often associated with similar titles. Players appreciate the streamlined experience that allows for enjoyment without excessive monetization tactics.
- “It's a bit like a slimmed down and streamlined Sims meets Farmville meets Anno, without any stressful situations, pushy monetization, or excessive micromanagement.”
- “Since the promised land has no microtransactions, it never deliberately inflicts you with the pain associated with the more well-known fare.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming character designs and humorous animations, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay elements, such as ship battles and room management, that contribute to the characters' growth and interactions.
- “The character development in this game is truly impressive, with each character having a unique backstory that adds depth to the gameplay.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that impact their relationships and personal growth.”
- “The interactions between characters are well-written and engaging, making me feel invested in their journeys and transformations.”