Planet Zoo celebrates its sixth anniversary with the announcement of a sequel in development, promising to build on the success of the original game with new features and content, with more details expected next year.
Kotaku's weekend gaming guide recommends three games: 'The Alters,' a compelling space survival management sim with a focus on social interactions; a challenging action RPG that the author aims to finish, highlighting its rewarding combat mechanics; and a nostalgic Digimon RPG, 'Cyber Sleuth,' now on Switch, perfect for monster collectors and mystery lovers. These games offer a mix of storytelling, action, and nostalgia for summer gaming.
The Alters is a genre-blending sci-fi survival game that combines management, narrative, and resource juggling, set on a distant planet where the protagonist, Jan Dolski, must navigate isolation, decision-making, and psychological challenges to complete a high-stakes mission. It stands out for its focused design, emotional storytelling, and innovative gameplay mechanics, making it a potential sleeper hit in 2025.
Bethesda has announced The Elder Scrolls: Castles, a new mobile management sim game where players control their own castle over multiple generations of rulers, families, and subjects. The game features decision-making, turn-based combat, and in-game purchases, and has soft-launched in the Philippines with plans for a wider release in the coming months.
Riot Forge is set to release Bandle Tale, an indie game developed by Lazy Bear Games, offering a colorful and engaging experience in the League of Legends universe. The game features management sim elements, extensive skill trees, crafting, and party planning, with a focus on a cozy and slower-paced gameplay approach. The developers have learned from their previous title, Graveyard Keeper, to ensure smoother progression and a better storytelling experience. Bandle Tale is set to launch on February 21st, with preorders now available.
Prison Architect 2, the 3D sequel to the popular jail management sim, is set to release on March 26th, featuring multi-floor prisons, a new inmate behavior system impacting gang warfare and escapes, and cross-platform support for sharing prisons. While some fans are unsure about the shift to 3D visuals, the game promises new tools for designing facilities and both sandbox and career modes for players to enjoy.
Spirittea, a management sim game developed by Cheesemaker Games, combines elements of Stardew Valley and Spirited Away. Players take on the role of a young entrepreneur tasked with renovating an old mountain bathhouse and tending to supernatural creatures in order to free the town from its spectral infestation. The game features tasks such as boarding, bathing, and feeding the spirits, as well as maintaining the bathhouse and making friends with the locals. While the visuals may not match the charm of the Studio Ghibli film, Spirittea offers an enjoyable experience and serves as a way to pass the time until the release of Haunted Chocolatier, the next game from Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe. The game is available on Steam and as part of the Game Pass subscription service.
F1 Manager 2023, the latest management sim by Frontier Developments, has been added to the Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass libraries. Players can lead their own F1 team through a 23-race season as a Team Principle, with new features such as fully simulated races and a Sporting Director role. The game has received positive reviews and takes around 20 to 25 hours to complete. It is one of seven games joining Game Pass in October.
Two Point Campus, a critically acclaimed management sim game with a 9/10 rating on Steam, is currently available for free download until August 1st. Players can immerse themselves in building and managing their own educational campus, with an average playtime of around 60 hours. If you enjoy the free version, the full game is also available at a discounted price until August 10th. A great opportunity for PC gamers looking for a quality game to lose themselves in.
Dave the Diver is a management simulation game that combines fishing and restaurant management. Despite its chaotic and absurd premise, the game manages to maintain a delicate balance of interconnected silliness. Players take on the role of Dave, who goes spearfishing during the day to catch ingredients for his sushi restaurant at night. The game introduces various characters, missions, and mini-games, creating a vibrant and entertaining experience. The game's vibrant cutscenes and escalating absurdity keep players engaged, making it a fun and enjoyable experience.
Aquatic RPG Dave The Diver has officially launched, leaving early access behind. The game combines elements of RPG, management simulation, and visual novel genres, offering a unique experience. Players control Dave, a diver who runs a sushi restaurant and explores the ocean to gather supplies. The game features deep-sea exploration, underwater creatures, mini-games, and overground management elements. Dave The Diver is available on Steam with a 10% discount for a limited time.
Let's Build A Zoo is getting a new DLC called Aquarium Odyssey, which will allow players to run their own aquarium and splice fish together to create new species. The DLC will include over 50 new species, seven new types of enclosure, 110+ new shops, and new decorations. A free update called 'Sloths and Spas' has also been released. No release date has been announced yet for the DLC.