Virtual Circuit Board
- October 6, 2023
- Reverie Foundry
- 30h median play time
Get on Steam"Virtual Circuit Board is a single-player simulation game with stunning visuals, offering around 30 hours of playtime. The game allows you to build and experiment with logic circuits using a powerful simulation engine, with a focus on delivering a sandbox experience for those with basic knowledge of logic gates and assembly. Create your own programs with the assembly editor and define your own instructions for a unique gameplay experience."
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game is an excellent sandbox simulator for digital circuit design, allowing for creativity and experimentation with logic gates.
- It features a clean and visually appealing interface, with fast simulation performance that enhances the user experience.
- The game serves as a great learning tool for those interested in computer science and digital logic, providing ample resources and examples to help users understand circuit design.
- The open-ended nature of the game may feel more like a toybox than a structured game, lacking predefined goals or challenges.
- The tutorial and user guide are considered lacking, making it difficult for beginners to navigate and fully understand the mechanics of the game.
- Some users find the mechanics, such as the 'bus' system, unintuitive and frustrating, leading to complications in circuit design and management.
- graphics14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their quality and visual appeal, enhancing the overall experience, especially for novice circuit builders. Users appreciate the vibrant visuals and color coding, which contribute to the fun and engaging nature of the simulation tool. Despite being in early access, the graphics are considered a standout feature, making it a worthwhile pick for those interested in circuits and creative design.
“Really nice graphics and I'm loving the freedom you get.”
“The graphics are perfect.”
“Amazing graphics and feedback, bought it right when it came out and was amazingly surprised.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as a sandbox experience with a focus on mechanics that allow various components to connect, which some players find frustrating. While the game is enjoyable and recommended, it lacks clear objectives and relies heavily on a manual for guidance, leading to mixed feelings about its mechanics. Overall, it appeals to hobbyists but may not satisfy those seeking structured gameplay.
“This game is nice and I would recommend it, but the game mechanic where the bus makes anything touching it connect is fascinating. In a sense, you can use LED as a wire, you can use 'read' as a wire, you can use 'write' as a wire, and you can use AND-gate as a wire.”
“It is a really nice game, but I have my problems with the tick mechanic.”
“This is quite an annoying mechanic in multiple ways.”
“There's no gameplay or goal - think of this as a hobbyist sandbox.”
“The only help the game provides is a manual explaining all the game mechanics and how to use them.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly praised for its impressive optimization, delivering excellent performance and a polished user interface with only minor quirks. Reviewers appreciate the combination of aesthetic appeal and functionality, noting it as a standout in the circuit-building genre compared to similar titles. Overall, it is recommended for its superior performance and unique features.
“I am amazed at how well optimized it is.”
“The great performance and ease of use combined with the beautifully executed idea of a pixel-based approach makes this my favorite logic simulator by a large margin.”
“The performance, overall polish, and the unique memory/assembly system makes this a strong recommend over any of the other circuit/assembly type games.”
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the narrative integration in titles like Shenzhen I/O, which ties puzzles to the storyline, others criticize the lack of structured challenges or goals, describing the experience as an unstructured educational sandbox rather than a traditional campaign. Overall, the narrative can enhance engagement, but its effectiveness varies significantly among different games.
“An example of a good computer science game is Shenzhen I/O - there's a story and each puzzle is part of the narrative, while still being a game about writing assembly code.”
“An example of a good computer science game is Shenzhen I/O - there's a story and each puzzle is part of the narrative, while still being a game about writing assembly code.”
“Not that I was expecting a story, but my main issue is there are no challenges.”
“An endless quest of solitude.”
“So there's no campaign or missions or goals, it's just a giant educational sandbox.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while players appreciate its overall enjoyment and recommend it, they express frustration with certain mechanics, particularly the bus system, which they perceive as a lack of thoughtful design. This combination of enjoyment and critique suggests a complex emotional response, balancing appreciation with disappointment.
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its quality, with multiple users highlighting the soundtrack as a standout feature.
“Nice soundtrack”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its high replayability value, with users consistently highlighting the enjoyment and variety it offers upon multiple playthroughs.
“Definitely has a lot of replayability value in general.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be quirky and entertaining, with players finding it amusing despite any shortcomings in gameplay. The comedic elements, particularly the "funny circuits," contribute to a lighthearted experience.
“I may not be great at the game, but the humor in it is absolutely hilarious!”
“The funny circuits really add a unique charm to the gameplay.”
“Even when I struggle, the humor keeps me entertained!”
