Dystopika is a beautiful cyberpunk city builder without the ugly details

A few of my favourite video games deny me the factor I believe I need most. Elden Ring refuses to offer manageable save recordsdata (and I paid for it). Balatro withholds the ultimate math on every hand performed (and its developer suggests avoiding calculators). And the modern X-COM games pressure me to appreciate simply how a lot a 98 % probability to hit isn’t the identical as one hundred pc.

Dystopika (Steam, Home windows) is a metropolis builder in perhaps the strictest definition of that two-word descriptor, as a result of it steadfastly refuses to distract you with non-building particulars. The sport is described by its single developer, Matt Marshall, as having “No targets, no administration, simply creativity and darkish cozy vibes.” Dystopika does little or no to elucidate how it is best to play it, as a result of there is not any optimum path for doing so. Your solely job is to take pleasure in your self, poking and prodding at a darkish cyberpunk cityscape, making issues that look fascinating, fairly, grim, or nevertheless you want. It might sound restrictive, however it feels very liberating.

The sport’s interface is a small rail on the left aspect of the display screen. Choose “Constructing” and a random form attaches to your cursor. You’ll be able to right-click to vary it, however you may’t decide one. Place it, after which optionally place the cursor close to its high to vary its peak. Making one constructing taller will elevate smaller buildings close by. Reaching sure heights, or densities, or one thing (it isn’t defined) will “unlock” sure new buildings, landmarks, and decorations.

You do get to select “Props,” like roads and trams and large billboards and hologram objects and flying carports, however the sport is equally non-committal on what it is best to do with them, or most something. You set issues down, or delete them, increase them, join them, and check out issues out till you want the way it seems.