07Feb
Start Up Panic is a sim-management game from Tiny Build. The guys there make some amazing indie games and they are always ready to send out the next game. When I saw Start Up Panic for the first time I immediately wanted to try it. I love Sim-Management games and this one reminded me alot of Game Dev Tycoon (Amazing game if you haven't tried it.) So where does Start Up Panic rank, well its unique and doesn't have a ton of competition so lets break down what we get.
Gameplay - 8
The gameplay for Start Up Panic is fun and plentiful, with tons to learn along the way. The slider scale for management, the tutorial and choices in gameplay allow for a fun and impactful set of choices and features. The main gameplay loop has you making features and choices to expanding your growing web/tech services. From making landing pages to adding different tech abilities like friends lists to websites, your goal is to become a tech-mogul and run successful company. Along the way you will make choices that affect gameplay like being bought out by another company. While building the feature set that your company will provide you are given slider bars that allocate time spent working on things like visual, tech and usability. Some things require more that one person to work on them so you will develop staff and management as you go. Overall its fun an I'm a big fan of the style they choose here.
Graphics -5
Not a lot to say here, the pixel art graphics are well done but I felt a real lack of assets. As you progress you do expand on the visual aspect but nothing really wow'ed me in this department. There are fun little easter-eggs to find in the background, but it all feels a bit plain or usual. The menu and visual are what you'd expect from a game like this, however the images and icons are often confusion or misleading. I found me self having to memorize where certain menus were rather then know from the images on the icon. We aren't looking for AAA graphics in Indie titles but i do expect some charm or effort put into these things and with this game it feels like an average set of assets you could get in a engine store.
Sound Design - 6
Sound in this game for me is a mixed bag. I liked some of the sound track but not all of it, I like the interactions in the menu and the various sound effect. The problem is as with the graphical style, it just didn't wow me. When you are playing this sim-management games you really need to have a solid sound design. All you do is sit in the menus and watch things get done, if I can reference Game Dev Tycoon again, they have a near addicting sound for research and game design bubbles. They make this noise and pop when you gain them. Start Up Panic is lacking in this area. Its not bad but I really was looking for something to love in the sound area and just could find it. I do want to note that it doesn't take away from the game as the core loop and features are still fun.
Content -8
Content is one of the games stronger areas, with lots to do. The game has a ton of research options and ways to go about your goals. The slider bars allow you to have a solid replay value added as well. You can tweak things for that perfect play through or go a completely different route than your last game. The content is sold, fun and engaging even with the flaws we talked about. I do wish there were a few more story beats along the way or some additional funny things to try, like getting a game over if you choose to work for a big corporation. Either way the game has tons of playable hours.
Overall - 7/10
Overall the game is fun and has some bright spots. There isn't a ton to the game but what is there is an enjoyable time. I think this is one of those games that you play while checking out a podcast/ Tiny Build is a great publisher and really allows for some interesting ideas to flow. Below I will leave some links if you would like to check out Start Up Panic and Tiny Build.
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