Chasing Carrots have developed a tycoon management game called Good Company. It just went into early access on Steam and is expected to stay there for around 8-14 months. The game sees players take control of a manufacturing company, learning how to handle the logistics of product design, production, and sales. Good Company is very in-depth for an early access title, but proves a little tricky in places.
Humble Beginnings
As the game begins you start off small, with calculators, many calculators. The first level is very simple and walks you through the process of making different elements of the product and then combining them before shipping. You also learn a little about production chains, staff, and design. It all seems quite simple, but effective. Then the game ramps it up.
The next level has a pre-built chain that you need to adjust and adapt. This task is slightly more difficult than it looks, but is still quite manageable once you understand how the new logistics system works. However, the next level throws you through a loop. For management tycoon pros the pace is fine, but if you are new to this type of game then the learning curve can be tricky at present.
Tricky Business
The complexity is increased due to the fact that players are suddenly tasked with creating a new product and its supply chain, entirely from scratch. For those with more experience with management simulators this will be fine, but getting the balance right is still tricky. Care needs to be paid to resources coming in, how fast each part is being produced, and how quickly products can be assembled.
While the chain is very realistic, some areas are not as clear yet. For instance, employees are paid differently but it’s difficult to figure out what difference, if any, this makes to production. Presumably higher pay means they work faster but this wasn’t noticeable while playing and there is no clarification of this anywhere in the help section.
Product design is also tricky, as the temptation is to build a perfect product. However, too many components make production too expensive and lengthy. Everything is about balance, as it so often is in these types of games.
The Mechanics
The basic mechanics are well thought out. You can build a seamless and increasingly complex production chain, but it will take a while to work out the most effective way to do this. Often it feels like you’ve managed it, then something goes wrong and you end up with too much of one thing and not enough of another.
Balance is key and this needs to be maintained. If you like a challenge and enjoy the management side of games, then Good Company will be right up your street. It gives you a large amount of control but expects a lot back from you in return.
Gameplay
As you progress through the scenarios you’ll notice there are also challenge objectives. These require you to manufacture a specific number of a set item in a short timeframe. The first challenge is batteries and while it feels familiar – they get very complex, very quickly.
The first two products, which you need to master to pass the challenge, are using mechanics you’ve dealt with when you unlock the challenge. The third product, however, suddenly introduces a chemistry table, which is entirely new. This felt disorientating, and with time ticking, working it all out before the 90 days ended was incredibly difficult.
The challenges are a nice addition though, as is the sandbox mode. In many ways sandbox mode is an easier way to figure things out since you aren’t constrained by goals. For anyone who is feeling overwhelmed, going into sandbox mode (after you’ve completed the first couple of scenarios) is a smart move. You can focus on setting up a small production line and easily take your time learning the flow of the game.
Growth
Currently, the game is very playable and enjoyable but, as expected, there are still a few tricky aspects. The production chains can be a pain to link up when desks and shelves are close together, and the difficulty curve feels a little steep, but there’s plenty of time for this game to develop into something fully engaging and entertaining for all players.
The developers are very open to feedback and with the help of an entire community, from those new to management sims to those who have been playing for years, we have high hopes for Good Company.
NEXT: The Complex Review: It’s Not Very Complex At All
