Mini Metro (video game)
| Mini Metro | |
|---|---|
 Steam Store artwork | |
| Developer(s) | Dinosaur Polo Club |
| Publisher(s) |
Dinosaur Polo Club Playism |
| Designer(s) |
Peter Curry Robert Curry Jamie Churchman |
| Programmer(s) |
Peter Curry Robert Curry |
| Composer(s) | Rich Vreeland |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Windows, OS X, Linux |
| Release date(s) | 6 November 2015 |
| Genre(s) | Strategy, simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Mini Metro is a transport simulation video game developed by Dinosaur Polo Club for Windows, OS X and Linux. The game is about creating an efficient subway network for a rapidly growing city. It has nothing to do with trains specifically, rather; making an efficient logistical network.[1][2][3][4] It was released out of Early Access on Steam on November 6, 2015. A release on Android and iOS is scheduled for 2016.[5]
Development
Mind the Gap, the prototype for Mini Metro, was created in April 2013 during Ludum Dare 26.[6] In September 2013, the first pre-alpha build was released.[7] After several public alpha builds were tested and released, the game was made available for pre-order on 9 April 2014.[8] The game was released on Steam as an Early Access title on 11 August 2014.[9] Two days later, on 13 August 2014, DRM-free versions of the game were released through the Humble Store. It was released out of Early Access on Steam on November 6, 2015.
Gameplay
In this game, the player must draw colored lines (representing the track the trains goes over) to connect subway stations represented by shapes. Passengers appear at stations and are also represented by shapes and will get off of the train when they arrive at a station of the same shape.
The game lasts until a player loses which happens when a overcrowded station's "timer" runs out.
Every in-game week, the player is offered two different assets for their railway, which they must choose between (such as a carriage to hold more passengers or a new railway line) and a train. In some scenarios, the player must choose between two different types of trains every week.
Reception
Mini Metro was nominated for the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and the Excellence in Visual Art, Design, and Audio awards for the 2016 Independent Games Festival.[10]
Comments on pre-release and alpha builds
Gizmodo said it was similar to SimCity and it's "almost refreshing to play a game this bare-bones that's genuinely fun".[11] The Verge called the dragging system "frustrating" but still considered the game "a lot of fun".[12] Nate Boroyan, writing for BostInno, called the game the "best, most fun thing to ever happen to public transit".[13] Brokelyn's David Colon described the game as "addictive and frustrating".[14]
References
- ↑ Bernstein, Joseph (7 April 2014). "Plan Your Own Subway System In This Simple And Addictive Browser Game". Buzzfeed. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ↑ Malouff, Dan (7 March 2014). "Fun on Friday: Play the Mini Metro game". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ↑ Cush, Andy (5 March 2014). "Build your own subway system in addictive browser game". Animal New York. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ↑ Marinconz, Steve (6 March 2014). "Mini Metro Lets You Design Your Own Minimalist Train System". Kotaku. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ↑ "Official website". Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ↑ Maiberg, Emanuel (23 July 2014). "Mini Metro Turns the Headache of Mass Transportation into Fun". Intel. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ↑ "Mini Metro Fact Sheet". Dinosaur Polo Club. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ↑ "Mini Metro pre-order numbers". Dinosaur Polo Club. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- ↑ "Dinosaur Polo Club tweet". Twitter. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
- ↑ Nunneley, Stephany (January 6, 2016). "Her Story, Undertale, Darkest Dungeon receive multiple 2016 IGF Award nominations". VG247. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
- ↑ Feinburg, Ashley (6 March 2014). "This Simple Train Planning Game Will Be Your New Favourite Time-Waster". Gizmodo. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ↑ Robertson, Adi (4 March 2014). "If you've ever wanted to design a subway map, you should play 'Mini Metro'". The Verge. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ↑ Boroyan, Nate (5 March 2014). "'Mini Metro' is the Best, Most Fun Thing to Ever Happen to Public Transit". BostInno. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
- ↑ Colon, David (5 March 2014). "Extremely addictive browser game Mini Metro challenges you to run your own damn subway". Brokelyn. Retrieved 7 March 2014.