Review
Annie here!
This week's game is Gemporium. If you like hand-drawn visuals and enjoy simple management simulation games like Potion Craft, this one's for you.
In Gemporium, you play as a little mole roped into managing a gem shop for the summer. You dig, polish, and sell to upgrade your shop and manage your grandmole's crippling debt.
The game is also super fast-paced since the days are timed, which adds a sweat-inducing touch.
Gemporium reminds me a bit of the mining game in Webkinz, which was quite heartwarming for me. Only the real ones will know what I'm talking about.
I really enjoyed the digging mechanic. There's just enough complexity there to keep it interesting and not too stressful. Audio
Like most good simulation games, the music takes a backseat in this one. It does a good job of adding a bit of flavour without being annoying.
I really liked the ticking sound that plays at intervals of the day to remind you how much time is left. It was a helpful way to manage my day, especially since time is so limited. Graphics
Gemporium uses a hand-drawn style with just a few animations. I think it's really well executed, almost everything blends together effectively and it feels polished. I do think the UI could fit the style a little bit better with a few changes. Again, Potion Craft is a good example of a UI that fits the game's unique style.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Gemporium is fast-paced and quite satisfying. It's also well balanced, which is important for management games like this, especially when there's a timed element. I did find that the early game was quite exciting, and then when my grandmole's debt began to loom and it became harder to earn upgrades, I felt like my progress plateaued.
The tutorial is quick and effective as well. It gets you comfortable with the mechanics as quickly as possible and uses simple but clear UI cues to help out. Final Thoughts
Overall I really enjoyed playing Gemporium. It's totally a game worth trying. If you tend to get stressed out with timed games this one might be too much for you, but otherwise give it a shot!
There's a free demo on Steam, but the game is only $12.99 and I'd say it's definitely worth that price.
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