Worldbox
- December 2, 2021
- Noxcho_Borz
- 19h median play time
Worldbox is a sandbox god simulation game that lets you shape and manipulate terrain, create and control various creatures and civilizations, and observe the consequences of your actions. You can experiment with different scenarios, from creating peaceful societies to unleashing natural disasters and watching the world burn. The game offers a variety of tools and options, making it a great choice for players who enjoy sandbox games with creative freedom and world-building elements.
Reviews
- gameplay694 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Worldbox" is characterized by its open-ended sandbox mechanics that encourage creativity and exploration, allowing players to build and manipulate their own worlds. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of mechanics available, some criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking substantial content, leading to a shallow experience over time. Overall, the game offers a unique god simulation experience, but its limited gameplay depth and reliance on user-generated content may not satisfy everyone.
“Its simple yet charming graphics, coupled with deep mechanics and endless possibilities, make it a standout in the sandbox genre.”
“With its endless possibilities and addictive gameplay, it's no wonder that I've spent over 200 hours lost in its pixelated universe.”
“Worldbox delivers a compelling experience where creativity knows no limitations thanks to its open-ended gameplay and endless possibilities.”
“There's clearly a lot of effort put into the game, with stuff like genealogy, etc. however, in terms of the core gameplay, there's really nothing there.”
“The gameplay can become repetitive and building a civilization from scratch and having wars, making alliances, etc., can get boring after a while.”
“I found the game far from worth the money; it was more in alignment with a $5 game, the gameplay was pretty limited and I requested a refund.”
- graphics458 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of Worldbox are characterized by a charming pixel art style that, while simplistic, effectively supports the game's creative and simulation mechanics. Many players appreciate the vibrant colors and the nostalgic aesthetic, which enhances the overall experience, although some critique the graphics as being too basic or low-resolution. Overall, the visuals are seen as a deliberate choice that complements the gameplay, allowing for imaginative world-building despite occasional calls for more detail and polish.
“The game's visuals, which might seem rudimentary at first glance, progressively reveal their intricate beauty as you delve into the game's mechanics and world-building capabilities.”
“The graphics and visuals in Worldbox - God Simulator are stunning, with detailed and vivid landscapes, creatures, and weather effects that create a truly immersive experience.”
“The pixel art style adds a nostalgic touch while still maintaining clarity and readability.”
“I think the graphics are a little too low grade and make it hard to follow and interact with the world.”
“The graphics are awful.”
“This game has bad graphics (obviously) and way too little content for the price you pay; you can get bored very easily.”
- story410 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional storyline, instead offering players the freedom to create their own narratives and worlds, leading to emergent storytelling experiences. While some players find joy in crafting their own plots and engaging with the game's sandbox elements, others note a deficiency in character development and structured storytelling. Overall, it serves as a creative platform for those who enjoy imaginative world-building rather than a game with a defined plot.
“It's a god simulator, a mad scientist laboratory, a maniac dream, and also a great story generator which is how I prefer playing this game.”
“I spent like 30 of the hours in my playtime on one world, saving it under new saves constantly and adding to it like it was an actual story.”
“There is great potential for world building and storytelling through random names and details for tools and weapons, and random cultures that each have a different level of technological development.”
“Currently it's lacking depth in character development & in general storytelling.”
“The features are fun, don't get me wrong, but it feels like you just do the same thing over and over again... with no storyline you don't know where to go or what to do.”
“Good game to kill time, but do not expect any sort of plot other than your own imagination.”
- humor340 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the absurdity of causing destruction to tiny civilizations and the comedic elements woven throughout the gameplay. Many find the dark humor and playful chaos—such as nuking thriving societies or creating bizarre scenarios—hilariously satisfying, making it a fun and relaxing experience. Overall, the game is described as a lighthearted sandbox that encourages creativity and laughter through its quirky mechanics and humorous interactions.
“Love the game, I love being able to make my own worlds. The achievements aren't too difficult but do make you work for most and are funny. The game developers have a good sense of humor by making the game as goofy as possible.”
“It's really funny to watch civilization prosper and then just drop a nuke on them just because.”
“You can do whatever you want, it's relaxing, funny, fun, and more importantly makes my inner psychopath feel better.”
- grinding152 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as excessively tedious, with many players feeling that it requires an unrealistic time commitment, often humorously suggesting that one would need "a second life" to manage it. While some players find enjoyment in the grind, particularly when pursuing achievements or creating stories, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the repetitive tasks required to progress.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“Average grind level.”
“Though it is annoying if you want mods as World Box doesn't have mods on Steam, which makes it a very tedious process to mod or get mods for the game.”
“Tedious to farm traits: Why can't it be made less tedious by having it automatically unlock whenever an individual gains the trait?”
“I think it's a cool idea to make a civilization of fire-dwarves who live in an inferno biome next to a volcano, but having to mass trait-spread fire immunity, fire blood, and burn scars every new generation is kind of tedious.”
- replayability94 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its sandbox nature and mod support, which contribute to a high replay value. However, some users express concerns about limited content and repetitive gameplay, suggesting that while it can be enjoyable, it may not offer infinite replayability without significant updates. Overall, it is seen as a fun simulator with potential for replayability, especially for fans of the genre.
“Worldbox is a game that’s practically limitless in terms of replayability.”
“This sandbox nature ensures that no two games are ever alike, and the game's replayability is a testament to its depth and complexity.”
“With its evolving features, mod support, and limitless replayability, Worldbox is a must-play for fans of sandbox and simulation games, as well as anyone who's ever wondered what it's like to be a divine creator.”
“It's replayability factor isn't as great as for say, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator.”
“This game is definitely something to do when you are stressed or want to take out anger, but it is not replayable in my opinion and even after getting all traits and most of the achievements, I can't find myself playing this game again, even though this game is still in a developing stage with new updates to come.”
“Don't get me wrong... this game is already fun, but it's hardly replayable and it becomes repetitive quickly.”
- music90 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's music is described as minimal yet effective, enhancing its relaxing and meditative qualities, with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that complements the atmosphere. However, many players express disappointment over the lack of in-game music and sound effects, suggesting that the experience feels hollow without them. Overall, while the existing soundtrack adds charm, there is a strong demand for more diverse and engaging audio elements to enrich gameplay.
“The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, perfectly capturing the essence of your world's mood and atmosphere.”
“The game's minimalist art style, accompanied by a soothing soundtrack, adds to the overall relaxing and immersive experience.”
“While the soundtrack is fairly minimal, it adds to the relaxing, meditative quality of the game, making it easy to lose track of time as you experiment with your world.”
“Right off the bat, perhaps it's the downloaded early access version I got, but... no background music during play or in create modes?”
“The audio, however, is lacking, and there is currently no music or soundtrack at all, with only very basic creature sounds.”
“There is no music in the game and it feels like it is missing something.”
- optimization56 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its strong optimization, running smoothly with minimal performance issues even during large-scale simulations. While most players report a polished experience with stable performance, some note that certain features, like terrain editing, could use further optimization. The game is frequently updated with new features and bug fixes, contributing to its overall performance quality.
“Very polished and great performance + optimization.”
“Good game overall with extremely good optimization, would recommend.”
“New features, bug fixes, and optimizations are frequently introduced, ensuring that the game remains fresh and enjoyable over time.”
“The UI is bad, but the terrain editing is very poorly optimized.”
“It's clearly optimized for phones and it feels clunky with a keyboard and mouse.”
“Game needs more performance enhancements.”
- stability36 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting a generally bug-free experience and regular updates that address issues. However, some users have encountered significant bugs, including crashes and AI freezing, particularly when using mods. While most find the game enjoyable despite occasional glitches, a few players express frustration with the frequency and impact of these issues.
“My experience has been pretty much bug-free, and they often release bug patches, so it's been a smooth experience overall.”
“No glitches, crashes, or bugs.”
“Runs great; the only time it lags slightly is when you drop over 1000 bombs.”
“Not sure if it's just for me, but it's really buggy, like crashing my game and not letting me remove menus. So be wary of that if you ever get mods and other game-altering things.”
“This game's new update gave me new glitches that I hate.”
“I haven't been able to play since all of the AI freezes every minute or so.”
- monetization30 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 47 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with the Steam version being praised for having no in-game purchases or ads, while the mobile version includes ads and a paywall for certain content. Some players feel the $20 price tag for the Steam version is steep and liken it to a cash grab, despite acknowledging the game's quality and additional features. Overall, players appreciate the absence of microtransactions in the Steam version, contrasting it with the mobile experience.
“Simple fun without the hassle of in-game purchases.”
“Microtransactions: none.”
“There is so much more in this version than iOS and there are no other in-game purchases.”
“I feel like it's a bit of a cash grab. I won't go into depth about it, but all I can say is that it's a fantastic game. The problem is that it is $20 and hasn't ever gone on sale. Lowkey for me, it feels like a cash grab, but I mean it's still a good game; I'm just mixed.”
“Although being free on mobile (now with ads and a paywall for some content), the Steam version has stuff like the Steam Workshop that will make you keep on playing for a good amount of time!”
“I saw this game from social media ads and thought it was just a dumb game nobody plays, but found out it was on Steam, then I found out it was $20!”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling both god-like in their creative control and deeply affected by their decisions, such as the poignant choice made by a character named Sarah. The ability to build and then destroy their own kingdoms evokes pride and sadness, leading to moments of genuine emotional reflection, including tears shed over their creations. Overall, the game successfully fosters a complex emotional experience through its engaging mechanics and narrative elements.
“Sarah had made the heart-wrenching decision to leave, taking Emily and Michael with her.”
“I was so proud I shed a tear.”
“I grew an emotional attachment to a kingdom I made and then nuked it with enough bombs to destroy the solar system for no reason.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a complex ecosystem and political dynamics, enhanced by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that captures the mood of the world. The serene music complements the meditative aspects of world-building, creating an immersive experience, though some players feel the sound effects could be more impressive. Overall, the atmosphere is engaging, but a more dynamic soundtrack could elevate the experience further.
“The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, perfectly capturing the essence of your world's mood and atmosphere.”
“The game's serene and atmospheric music complements the meditative nature of world-building, and the sound effects, while not overly impressive, do a decent job of immersing you in your divine realm.”
“It's crazy how entertaining this game can be and how complex of an ecosystem and political atmosphere you can create.”
“Maybe, if this game were half off, and the soundtrack were an absolute banger similar to gems like Crypt of the Necrodancer or Binding of Isaac, where you can really melt into the atmosphere of the game, I'd recommend it.”
“It was seen early in the morning, rushing over Winchester eastward, a line of flame high in the atmosphere.”
“I decided at this point that it was time to thaw out our map and see what species of animals survived the thawing event and flourished after their atmosphere repaired itself and the world returned to a semi-normal state.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game suffers from a lack of depth in character development and storytelling, leaving players wanting more complexity and engagement with the characters.
“Currently, it's lacking depth in character development and in general storytelling.”
“Currently, it's lacking depth in character development and in general storytelling.”
“Currently, it's lacking depth in character development and in general storytelling.”