An Interesting Discovery
Back in the late 90s, PC gaming was full of captivating management and tycoon games. One standout was ‘Rollercoaster Tycoon’, which introduced me to this genre. While exploring other business simulators, very few could compare to the king of the genre. ‘Theme Hospital’, however, managed to capture my attention with its quirky take on a mundane environment.
Fast forward to today, and the UK’s ‘Two Point Studios’ has embraced the spirit of ‘Theme Hospital’ as their mission statement. Their initial releases, ‘Two Point Hospital’ and ‘Two Point Campus’, brought absurdity to the mundane with solid gameplay. Now, with ‘Two Point Museum’, set in museums, we’ll see if the excitement and craziness carry over.
‘Two Point Museum’ offers two game modes: career and sandbox. While both modes essentially offer the same gameplay, the sandbox mode allows for more customization and personalization, making it more enjoyable. In career mode, players must achieve specific goals related to staff satisfaction, visitor numbers, and managing the museum’s business aspects. In my sandbox experience, I focused on boosting the buzz rating as high as possible without going bankrupt. However, players seeking a challenge can crank up the difficulty in sandbox mode.
Despite my fondness for sandbox mode, learning the game mechanics can be a bit challenging without some guidance. Building and managing your museum involves a mix of simple and intuitive tasks along with more complex micromanagement.
One key aspect in the early stages of the career mode involves expeditions. Sending staff members on expeditions to uncover exhibits is vital. These expeditions, depicted on a map screen with various locations offering different risks and rewards, require strategic decision-making. The return from an expedition presents players with loot box-like rewards, adding an addictive element to the gameplay loop.
The diverse range of exhibits adds to the game’s charm and motivation. From prehistoric artifacts resembling floppy disks to time-gates with cavemen, the creativity and character in the exhibits are engaging. With six distinct themes for exhibits, each with specific mechanics, players have plenty to explore and maintain.
Playing through the career mode in different locations introduces players to the various themes and mechanics. The supernatural theme, reminiscent of a horror hotel, stands out with its unique challenges and rewards. Other themes like science and space may require more micromanagement and effort, but they offer a sense of accomplishment for players.
As players progress in the game, pop-up museums present challenges that test their skills in combating various issues like thieves. These mini-challenges provide a good way to learn more about the game mechanics and prepare for future encounters.
When it comes to building and decorating your museum, the game offers a grid system for easy construction. With a wide selection of walls, floors, and rooms, players can showcase their exhibits creatively. Unlocking additional scenery by gaining knowledge on exhibits and themes adds depth to the progression system.
In conclusion, ‘Two Point Museum’ stays true to the charm of ‘Two Point Studios’ previous games. The addition of discovering exhibits through expeditions adds a nostalgic touch, reminiscent of classic games from the 90s. With its quirky spirit inherited from ‘Theme Hospital’, the game offers a fun and engaging experience for players.