Agent_Karyo

This is a very good game. I generally prefer complex, simulation-focused management, city-builder and transportation games, but I enjoyed Minami Lane a lot.

There are times when I am looking for something that is a bit more laid back and doesn't require an initial ramp-up time investment.

For a new run for Transport Fever 2, I usually spend about an hour analyzing the map and trying to come up with a high level development plan and then I need another 30 min to setup a base early game foundation.

The payoff is that you get runs of ~100 hours and you get to develop insanely expansive (but efficient) logistics networks, citscapes and regional conglomoraitons. Some screenshots from the late game:

But there are other times when I am looking for a simpler (but also satisfying) experience that still has some management elements and player strategy.

I actually disagree that SC ever leveraged open development. Early videos were more theorycrafting and later stuff was more about maintaining confidence to keep the cash shop rolling (base game sales account for maybe 10-15% of their the money they get).

Something like Plan B: Terraform (you can literally discuss game mechanics, engine limitations, current features with devs on discord and steam) or Colony Survival do actually use open development.

That being said, while the title is a bit bombastic for my tastes, there is some interesting exploration of recent changes in CIG's video content strategy, that's why I decide to post this.

I think this could be interesting for non-sceptics as well.

Played the demo, I loved the art and world-building (always loved worlds with flying ships and floating islands). I usually prefer very simulation focused tycoon/business sims, but the gameplay felt engaging enough.

Bugs were really bad in the demo and it was disappointing to see people reported so many bugs in EA reviews.

It's good to know that the devs recognise this and seem to be planning to keep the game in EA for 1-2 years.

I see where you are coming from, but I wouldn't go that far.

Yeah, I feel like RPGs need to have a modicum of openess to enable different roleplaying styles.

With Deus Ex you definitely can play very different characters with a broad spectrum of personalities and narrative decisions. Although I do agree that an argument can be made it's not an RPG.

Eve is a sandbox MMO and The Sims is lifeim, don't really see how they are RPGs.

Very few RPGs execute the role playing component so well as VTMB IMO.

Eve Online and The Sims are excellent additions. But they are not RPGs.

I would personally include VTMB or Deus Ex, but from a broader perspective probably one of the Ultimas (6 or 7 are considered the best I believe) would be more appropriate.

Don't play jRPGs, but from my understanding FF7 is considered the "best in genre" release.

Pretty solid collection IMO. I am surprised they haven't included any RPGs (say one CRPG like Ultima 6 and one jRPG like say Final Fantasy 7).

Cheers, haven't seen this post before!

While I am a huge VTMB fan, I haven't seen too much of the game (I believe there were gameplay videos of the abandoned build from the previous studio). I've mostly been following the news and checking out concept art.

I also do not expect this to be a true sequel to VTMB. But I am hoping it will be a solid game.

Perhaps some other developer may make something closer to a true sequel to VTMB. Who knows?