If it hasn’t become apparent yet, I’m besotted with the cosy game genre. Despite not every experience being made equal, I will always try new titles that promise to deliver the tranquil life I keep daydreaming about.
Having discovered how much fun can be had while an idle game runs in the background, I was overjoyed to see that thisSteamtitle works on Mac as well asPCs. Instead of having to prop up my Steam Deck next to my computer, I can watch Rusty farm while I type.
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Join Rusty inRusty’s Retirement
As much as I loved working towards collecting unique creatures in other titles, having a whole farm at the bottom of my screen slowly thriving hit differently. The satisfaction I felt while powering the Biofuel machine to earn enough to upgrade my farm was irrationally intense. Despite being sat at a desk, I was able to hoe the land, sow seeds, and grow crops in blissful ignorance to anything else.
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Where I thinkRusty’s Retirementespecially excels compared to other idle games is in its scope. There’s no way you’re running out of activities to complete; there’s always something that requires your attention. Being able to see its longevity planned so well in advance helps cautious gamers climb down from the fence of indecision and throw those overalls on.
Mister Morris Games
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While Rusty and you work, you can listen to the soothing sounds of country living and gentle background music, or mute the SFX entirely to play your own playlist instead. Lofi sounds are the ideal companion to such a relaxed experience, but the twang of a guitar string from a folk track will neatly fit as well.
My biggest issue with this game, is how cramped it feels. In truth, feeling like the game is crammed into a small space makes sense, as the idea behind the title is for it to work alongside your other activities rather than dominating them. However, that compact delivery system isn’t easy on the eyes.
Another gripe I have, albeit a small one, is the user interface; it’s not friendly enough. I’m not saying it’s a nightmare to navigate, just that it lacks finesse. This is mainly due to everything being shrunk down to fit neatly onto a small portion of your desktop, and so the issue here is once again the cramped conditions rather than the controls themselves.
Rusty’s Retirementis simplicity done well. Not only does it take a basic concept and make it enjoyable and entertaining, but without being imposing, it also highlights what makes indie devs so invaluable to the games industry. Big name publishers wouldn’t recognise the appeal of such a low participation activity, yet for cosy gamers and dreamers who want their farms only a click away, it delivers everything.
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Pros: Beautiful pixel-art visuals, soothing sound effects, relaxing pace
Cons: Cramped conditions, alongside a UI that needs a little more polish
For fans of: Stardew Valley, Spirit City: Lofi Sessions, Cozy Grove
7/10: Very Good
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Topics:Steam,PC,Reviews
