Turmoil

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 9,100 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Turmoil Game Cover
Starting at $2.99Buy now
Get on Steam

Turmoil offers players a visually charming, tongue-in-cheek take on the simulation genre inspired by the 19th century oil rush in North America. Get a taste of the rush and rivalry of the time as you earn your way to become a successful oil entrepreneur. As you make money digging up and selling oil, the town will grow along with you. Lease land at the town auction and search for oil. Build a rig…

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,100 reviews
gameplay368 positive mentions
stability34 negative mentions
  • gameplay940 mentions

    The gameplay of Turmoil is characterized by its simple mechanics and addictive resource management, making it accessible for casual players while offering enough depth for strategic planning. However, many reviews highlight that the gameplay becomes repetitive after a few hours, with limited variety in mechanics and challenges, leading to a lack of long-term engagement. Despite its charm and relaxing atmosphere, players often find that the core gameplay loop does not evolve significantly, which can diminish the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is enjoyable, you look and drill for oil and try to become the next major by bidding on shares.”
    • “The gameplay is simple enough so that casual players can catch on easily, but it has enough complexity to where you can actually employ a bit of strategy.”
    • “The gameplay is deep and strategic.”
    • “Very repetitive after 3 hours of gameplay.”
    • “Unfortunately the core gameplay loop isn't really fun or interesting enough to sustain it.”
    • “The gameplay is so repetitive that once you get the mechanics down, the rest of the game is just watching your wagons carry oil around.”
  • graphics304 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as simple yet charming, with a unique art style that complements its gameplay. While some players appreciate the minimalist design for its aesthetic appeal and low system requirements, others note that the visuals can feel repetitive across different levels. Overall, the graphics are considered effective in creating an engaging atmosphere, despite not being cutting-edge.

    • “The game has beautiful hand-drawn graphics that perfectly fit the wild west theme.”
    • “The graphics and gameplay are smooth and awesome.”
    • “The graphics are charming and the music is relaxing.”
    • “The graphics are simple and charming, as too is the music, but at $15 (Aussie dollar), I would probably have expected a bit more in terms of the presentation.”
    • “It's a simple game, the graphics are non-existent but it still manages to be entertaining in a 'sandbox' kind of way.”
    • “I can't understand why any game would limit itself to 30fps, or why anyone would do input polling in the same thread that renders the graphics.”
  • music302 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and atmospheric qualities, often described as charming and fitting for the game's theme. While many players enjoy the acoustic guitar soundtrack and find it enhances the overall experience, some note that it can become repetitive over time, leading to a desire for more variety. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's laid-back vibe, making it a great choice for casual play.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing and the game is fun and engaging.”
    • “The music is very relaxing and the gameplay is pleasing... as long as you are not playing on expert.”
    • “The music fits the theme and era of the game, and is pleasant now that there's more than one track.”
    • “Also, the music is repetitive and the sound effects are annoying.”
    • “The music is much too repetitive.”
    • “Soundtrack is... well, there isn't one really.”
  • story278 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that it feels minimal or non-existent, primarily revolving around the mechanics of bidding for oil plots. While some appreciate the character-driven elements and the light narrative framework, most agree that the gameplay overshadows any story, making it feel repetitive and simplistic. Overall, the consensus is that the game is enjoyable for its mechanics, but those seeking a rich narrative experience may be disappointed.

    • “The game's unique setting and character-driven story add an extra layer of depth, making it a must-play for fans of strategy and management games.”
    • “This is one of those games that you can just sit with after a long day and relax with some fun; it is just a fun story-driven strategy type game.”
    • “Amazing game, so addictive, no bugs, glitches etc. The story develops and keeps the game even more interesting than it would have been before!”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “There is no story or character development.”
    • “The only thing that leaves little to be desired is the story is not very interesting and exciting!”
  • replayability208 mentions

    The reviews on replayability are mixed, with many players praising the game for its high replay value due to randomization and varied gameplay, while others criticize it for becoming repetitive after a few playthroughs. Some users highlight that the game is enjoyable for short sessions, making it suitable for casual play, but note that it may lack depth for long-term engagement. Overall, while some find it infinitely replayable, others feel it has limited replayability after initial completion.

    • “This game is 10/10 for me, the strategy is fun and its replayability is definitely a key factor; it's a really good 'I want to play a game but I only have like 30 mins.'”
    • “I bought this one day after seeing that a YouTuber I watch posted a video... it was the most fun I had in a while... I paid full price for this game, and I would do it again if I had to... this game has a huge replayability value, and if you are like me, you will get sucked into this game and not get out for a while.”
    • “The replay value on this game is really endless.”
    • “Too easy, no replayability...”
    • “Hate that there is no replayability (other than start the campaign all over)!”
    • “The replayability isn't huge though, after one playthrough and half it's pretty much repetitive.”
  • stability50 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth, bug-free experience, particularly on Linux, while others have encountered significant issues such as freezing, crashes, and audio glitches, especially on the Mac version. Many users noted minor glitches and bugs, which are expected in early access titles, but the overall consensus suggests that the game's stability varies widely depending on the platform and individual experiences.

    • “This game is not demanding on any device or setup, smooth and bug free thus far in 23 hours of play.”
    • “What I can say is it's incredibly well made, bug free and above all else fun.”
    • “Turmoil is a cohesive and seemingly bug free experience that was worth the discounted price from the Steam sale.”
    • “If it actually works, it's a decent game, but 95% of the time when I try to launch it, the crosshair just breaks (it freezes), leaving me annoyed and forced to close the game.”
    • “When I open the game, the mouse cursor won't move, the game screen freezes but the music keeps playing.”
    • “Doesn't seem like a terrible game, but the Mac version is so buggy it quickly becomes unplayable.”
  • humor48 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its light-hearted and quirky nature, with players enjoying the funny animations, ironic scenarios, and catchy dialogue. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to deliver quick comedic moments, making it an entertaining time killer despite its simplicity and shorter gameplay. Overall, the humor adds a delightful charm that enhances the gaming experience, making it both enjoyable and addictive.

    • “It's not a game where you would spend dozens of hours, obviously, but it's a catchy and funny game with a specific art style.”
    • “Turmoil is a good game for me because I find it very funny to play, with quick results being seen, either when losing or winning!”
    • “Now you too can enjoy the joy of standing in the middle of nowhere, spilling oil all over your workers, taking loans from the bank because you don't know what the heck you are doing, suffering from dehydration because somebody thought it would be funny to drill in the desert, and drilling to the center of the earth to find that oil.”
  • grinding46 mentions

    The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often requiring an excessive time commitment that some players liken to needing a "second life." While some players find enjoyment in the grind, others describe it as tedious, repetitive, and lacking in meaningful content, leading to frustration rather than fun. Overall, the grinding experience is polarizing, appealing primarily to those who enjoy such gameplay mechanics.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding if you want to get all achievements.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I felt like playing a browser game which became really grindy after some levels.”
    • “This makes an already repetitive game turn into a tedious grind to maximize earnings.”
    • “This game is very poorly made and 100% tedious at all times; the game is too repetitive and has a lack of content.”
  • atmosphere46 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its relaxing and charming qualities, enhanced by pleasant music and sound design that evoke a laid-back, nostalgic feel. Players appreciate the unique graphics and thematic elements, although some note that the brevity of certain gameplay segments can disrupt the overall experience. Overall, the combination of soothing audio and engaging visuals creates an inviting environment that many find enjoyable and worth exploring.

    • “The sound effects and music also create an authentic atmosphere.”
    • “Throughout all of this, the game still manages to maintain its charming and relaxing atmosphere that made it so appealing to me in the first place.”
    • “Really like the art style and the background music is very pleasant and atmospheric.”
    • “[*] The relaxing atmosphere is destroyed by how short each dig level is.”
    • “[*] A relaxing atmosphere is complemented with a myriad of small tasks and unique obstacles in each dig level; otherwise, it increases the intensity of one’s boredom.”
    • “The music is reminiscent of Railroad Tycoon II, and it has a laid-back atmosphere.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has improved, with fewer crashes reported compared to earlier versions. Players find the optimization strategies straightforward, allowing them to establish effective tactics early on, although the game's competitive AI requires a degree of player optimization for success. While the game offers various upgrades and challenges, some players feel that the core strategy remains largely unchanged despite biome shifts.

    • “The premise and gameplay is very simple, but there are lots of upgrades and optimization strategies to try out.”
    • “I think the game looks a bit better, and is also a bit better optimized (it was crashing a lot for me back then, didn't crash a single time now).”
    • “You can pretty much figure out the optimization strategy after a couple of rounds and never need to change it even when the game changes biomes, which are supposed to make things more challenging and/or at least make you change your strategy.”
    • “The AI is pretty competitive unless you know exactly what you're doing, so the game clearly expects a degree of optimization by the player.”
    • “☐ unoptimized”
  • emotional10 mentions

    Players find the game to evoke strong emotions, highlighting its wholesome nature and the unexpected depth of feeling it brings, particularly in relation to real-life themes like capitalism and the oil industry. While it offers enjoyable gameplay, some users note moments of stress that reflect the unpredictability of success in the game's context. Overall, it successfully combines fun with emotional resonance.

    • “Never knew a 2D game could make me that emotional.”
    • “Just a wholesome game, but can be a little stressful. It's 'realistic' in the sense that in real life, sometimes drilling for oil was a huge success and sometimes it's not that great.”
    • “It's good, wholesome fun.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as exploitative, with many users feeling that microtransactions were designed to accelerate gameplay, particularly in anticipation of a mobile release. Additionally, the game's abandonment by developers has led to perceptions of it being a cash grab, leaving players disappointed with the disparity between advertised features and the actual experience.

    • “The game has been abandoned by the devs, and it looks like it was a cash grab.”
    • “I understand it's an early access game and all, but for what it was advertising compared to what I got, the overall fun factor was non-existent.”
    • “I feel like microtransactions were planned to speed up the game if this ever went mobile.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted to be minimal, with some users appreciating the world-building elements that complement the characters. However, there are contrasting opinions, as others feel there is a lack of story and character development overall. The character design and aesthetic elements, particularly related to the character Ui, receive positive mentions.

    • “There's a perfect amount of world building and character development through a very minimal amount of reading.”
    • “Ui is fantastic--music, color palette, character design.”
    • “There is no story or character development.”
    • “There is no story or character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Turmoil

Play time

10hMedian play time
36hAverage play time
7-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 88 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games