SquarePlay Games after a 15-month long early access has launched their 2.5D metro commute management sim Overcrowd: A Commute ‘Em Up on Steam. Highly rated, the game has received an 87% very positive rating on Steam with over 500 reviews.
The full version of Overcrowd launched today with the massive 1.0 Everyday People Update. In this update a diverse cast of new characters has been added to the commute through the various player station creations. Other additions in the update include new trains, achievements, snazzy staff uniforms, heatmap tool, and pigeons.
From punks to cane users and business suits to wheel chair users the variety of commuters is wide in range. The Lubdon Town commute is more alive than ever. While the pixel art is cute, don’t be fooled as under the game’s hood is a deep and powerful systems-based simulation that includes refuse, power and heat management, crowd control, and a consumer driven economy with stock and pricing.
Stations can be built up to four floors deep. Stairs, escalators and lifts can be used to connect the entrances to tracks. The direction of commuters can be controlled using the innovative crowd flow mechanic. Each gameplay is unique as players get to design their station across a series of procedurally generated maps. Players can build a single station or a whole network. A daily challenge feature will always mean there is a new station to build.
As time progresses new tech can be unlocked to add more features to a station. Turnstiles, tools, ticket machines, pharmacies, pubs, ponds, plants are a sampling of things to make the commuters feel special on their journey to their destination.
Staff management is a critical component to a smooth running station. Rookies can be hired and leveled up or one can hire a master mopper, medic or mechanic. The job grid system allows for task prioritization for optimal efficiency.
Everyone has had or seen some form of chaos on the commute. Overcrowd is no different. Various station-wide events will occur. From rat plagues to football matches there is always a new challenge to put the station to the test. Also players will want to watch out for hoodlums, vandals, and the norovirus.
Overcrowd: A Commute ‘Em Up is available is on Windows PC through Steam for $19.99 USD. A special launch promotion runs until October 20, 2020 that discounts the game by 30%. In addition Overcrowd: High Volume Edition is available that includes the game’s soundtrack which is a separately priced $6.99 USD DLC. For more information about Overcrowd visit the game’s website overcrowd.co.uk.
SquarePlay Games (@SquarePlayGames Twitter) is a two member indie studio based out of London in the United Kingdom. Founded in late 2015, the studio began work on their first tile with Alastair, a former health information copywriter and medical journalist, on programming and Sarah Testori, who has a PhD in molecular genetics, working on the game’s artwork.
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