The Tenants

About

The Tenants is a single player casual city builder game. It was developed by Ancient Forge and was released on March 24, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"The Tenants" is a simulation game where you become a landlord and manage rental properties. Choose your tenants, react to various situations, and design apartments for maximum profit. Wisely invest in real estate, furnish and upgrade the apartments, and maintain good relationships with tenants for a successful business. Note: This summary is based on available information and does not include the game's release date or developer/publisher details.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+16

Skip User Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,923 reviews

gameplay121 positive mentions

grinding214 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay that combines apartment renovation, interior design, and property management.
Creative freedom in designing apartments with a variety of furniture and decoration options.
Satisfying sense of progression as players unlock new furniture, upgrade properties, and expand their rental business.

Repetitive tasks and gameplay can lead to boredom over time.
Management mechanics can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially for new players.
Numerous bugs and glitches, including issues with saving progress and completing tasks, detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
427 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
61%
11%
The gameplay in "The Tenants" offers a rewarding loop centered around renovating and managing rental properties, appealing to fans of simulation and management genres. However, many players find the experience becomes repetitive and tedious over time, with a lack of variety in tasks and mechanics that can lead to frustration. While the game has potential with its engaging design elements and humorous characters, it suffers from bugs and a need for more depth in gameplay mechanics.
- “From renovating rundown apartments to decorating them with furniture and renting them out, the gameplay loop feels rewarding and keeps you motivated to progress.”
- “The tenants is an intriguing blend of simulation, management, and casual gameplay that puts players in the role of a landlord responsible for managing a rental property.”
- “The gameplay loop is both addictive and rewarding, making the tenants an absolute steal for its price.”
- “The gameplay loop gets boring and there is some micro-managing throughout.”
- “The gameplay itself becomes very repetitive over time, which leads to boredom.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, confusing, and boring.”
story
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
78%
11%
The game's story is often described as minimal and repetitive, with many players noting that it lacks depth and variety in its missions. While some find the quirky quests and voice acting enjoyable, the overall narrative feels detached and is overshadowed by numerous bugs and glitches that hinder progression. Many reviewers express frustration with the grindy nature of the gameplay, where completing similar tasks repeatedly detracts from the potential for a more engaging story experience.
- “The story line is interesting.”
- “I love this game, I have been playing it for a while (since early access), and I think it has really developed into a great game. I love that you can follow a story and get achievements, or you can be creative and do your own thing.”
- “The gameplay has split into three stages, tells a little funny story about the fate of the landlord, and there are a lot of decorative elements that we unlock over time.”
- “The game lacks any real structure or story progression.”
- “The missions get repetitive, lots of alcoholics (is this my childhood again??) and honestly, the sprites weren't too varied.”
- “The game is not replayable, the storyline is boring and it becomes tedious after a while.”
grinding
229 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
6%
93%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the need to complete the same types of jobs repeatedly to earn money for property purchases. While some appreciate the satisfaction of progressing through the game, others feel that the grind becomes overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, players suggest that the game could benefit from more variety in tasks and improved pacing to alleviate the grind.
- “When you start to get many tenants, things do start to get grindy, and this is where I would love to see even more quality of life improvements, especially with the later game in not having to micromanage so much (better agents' competency and functionality) as well as some kind of bills autopay system.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Too tedious after the first few hours.”
- “The game is grindy and repetitive, and even from a design perspective is weirdly limiting.”
- “I really wanted to like this game and it was fun for the first few hours but it quickly becomes super tedious doing the same jobs over and over again to make enough money to buy more properties and it just takes way too long to progress.”
graphics
182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their cute, low-poly art style and colorful visuals, which create a charming and approachable aesthetic. While many players appreciate the simplicity and charm of the graphics, some have reported minor bugs and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are considered appealing and well-suited for a management simulation game, though they may lack the depth found in more graphically intensive titles.
- “The art style is cute without trying too hard.”
- “Visually, the game employs a clean, approachable art style that strikes a balance between realism and simplicity.”
- “The graphics are simple but easy, perfect for the setting/type of gameplay it provides you with.”
- “There are some minor bugs like graphical glitches, characters disappearing (sinking into the floor or vanishing), bugged apartments in missions, etc.”
- “Graphics look like something out of a PS1 game, which I don't really mind, but I know a lot of people prioritize pretty graphics.”
- “The graphics for a 2021 game are appalling and the furniture/items in the game are very outdated.”
stability
179 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and freezes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users have experienced fewer issues and found the game enjoyable, the overall consensus indicates that it remains a buggy mess, often requiring restarts and leading to lost progress. Many players express frustration over the lack of fixes and the game's seemingly abandoned state, particularly after the release of DLC that introduced additional bugs.
- “Overall, it is better than expected and not buggy, which I feared from other reviews upon purchasing.”
- “Game is fairly bug-free for this new of a game, and the devs seem to respond rapidly to questions and problems posted in the forums.”
- “Fun game - in early access, however, my play so far has been bug-free!”
- “However, the game is (at the time of writing) a buggy mess that really makes playing it painful (UI glitches, broken quests, crashes, etc.) The game also does not let you save during the tutorial in the story mode.”
- “Do not buy this game; it is broken and they won't fix it. After you unlock the second city, the game becomes unplayable as it freezes and crashes constantly. Too bad I can't refund it because I played too long.”
- “The game is buggy and feels incomplete. It was extremely buggy in the free trial/demo, and it's just as buggy now.”
humor
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The game is praised for its humor, featuring quirky characters, funny interactions with tenants, and amusing scenarios that arise during gameplay, such as unexpected tenant requests and comical glitches. Players enjoy the lighthearted dialogue and humorous details, which enhance the overall experience, making it entertaining and engaging. However, some users note that while the humor is enjoyable, it can become repetitive over time.
- “The humorous characters and engaging gameplay make it really entertaining.”
- “It's pretty funny when you have a list of a tenant's wants and the room is so small that the only way to please them is to give them a narrow maze of furniture that they can barely navigate, and then they love you and pay you extra for it.”
- “The interactions you can have with tenants in the game are hilarious!”
music
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
60%
8%
The music in the game is generally described as relaxing and fitting for the cozy atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience without being overly distracting. However, some players find the soundtrack repetitive and not particularly memorable, leading to a desire for more variety. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the ambiance, it may not hold up for extended play sessions.
- “I feel this game has a nice vibe, set by the graphics and the fantastic music.”
- “The soundtrack is really relaxing and the small, but important features (such as background checks and tenant personality types) are really impressive!”
- “The music is nice, doesn't seem to be repetitive and is a perfect background for the work you have to do in the game.”
- “The sound design is minimal, with background music that doesn’t add much to the experience.”
- “The background music gets on my nerves very quickly, pretty poor.”
- “The music feels too repetitive to listen to after an hour or two, and I kind of just find myself muting it.”
optimization
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
45%
32%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues, including long loading times, lag, and frequent freezing, even on high-end systems. While some users note that it runs smoothly on lower-spec machines, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance the gameplay experience. Many players express hope for future updates to address these issues, but currently, the performance detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
- “Let the player adjust every detail so that the game runs smoothly, preferably without any real lag or 'my game seems to have frozen' incidents.”
- “The game is optimized and runs like a charm.”
- “To sum everything up, though, you can say that if you’re a tycoon gamer or a fan of small optimization games and building games, you’re already getting a lot of gameplay fun here for €17 or $20.”
- “The game takes ages to load (measured in minutes, not seconds), and is completely unoptimized.”
- “Performance issues are here to stay and won't be repaired by this developer.”
- “However, the game is extremely poorly optimized; even with an i7 and a GTX 1660, the game freezes.”
replayability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
61%
13%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the randomized elements and variety of play modes that enhance replay value, many others find it lacking due to repetitive tasks and a limited storyline. Updates and community feedback are seen as potential avenues for improving replayability, but currently, several reviews indicate that the game may not hold long-term interest for players.
- “From its cleverly designed gameplay mechanics to its impressive replayability, this game delivers an experience that far exceeds its price point.”
- “With a variety of play modes and styles, the game is extremely replayable.”
- “It's a game that will allow for lots of replayability and let you sink a lot of hours into it.”
- “That said, I don’t see much replay value—once you’ve gone through it once, there’s not a lot of reason to start again.”
- “However, the replayability may suffer due to the repetitive nature of the tasks.”
- “The game is not replayable; the storyline is boring and it becomes tedious after a while.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing it as a cash grab that feels abandoned by the developers, while others appreciate the absence of microtransactions or additional paid content. However, players express frustration over limited control in advertising and job opportunities, suggesting that the monetization strategy may hinder gameplay experience. Overall, there is a sentiment that the game prioritizes profit over player satisfaction.
- “It is worth noting that compared to The Sims or games focused on decorating and beautifying, like House Flipper, this game does not contain microtransactions or additional paid content.”
- “Cash grab trash.”
- “It feels like the developers pulled off the ol’ cash grab and vanish routine.”
- “I would say do not buy any game from Ancient Forge as it seems like they start games, do a cash grab and abandon the game.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics and effective sound design, which together create an immersive and cozy environment. Reviewers highlight the enjoyable tone and ambiance, noting that it successfully establishes a captivating atmosphere right from its release.
- “Very enjoyable game and atmosphere.”
- “The sound design supports the cozy atmosphere with ambient noises and subtle music that create an immersive environment without distraction.”
- “For a just-released early access game, the atmosphere and tone have already found their mark.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate a notable lack of depth in character development, with some users comparing the game to The Sims but emphasizing a greater focus on building rather than character growth. Additionally, the intentionally poor character design is seen as a source of amusement for some players.
- “Lack of character design.”
- “It's like The Sims but better because you focus on the building aspects instead of character development.”
- “Intentionally bad character design is amusing.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional response to the game, experiencing a mix of frustration and satisfaction. While some moments can evoke irritation, the overall enjoyment of managing tenants contributes to a fulfilling emotional experience.
- “The game so far has made me feel incredibly satisfied, and I enjoy managing the tenants.”