Gourdlets will either be a quick go-to title between other titles or a fixation with symmetry, order, and control. The second one goes against the grain of Gourdlet's ethos, though if you're the type who brandishes OCD as an easy way to explain why you do things properly, this cute sandbox could be your new obsession.
This tiny city builder from AuntyGames and Future Friends Games has been on the festival circuit for some time, and there is no doubt it will show up on your feed at some point. Maybe you have played a demo already. After playing the demo, it's easy to make assumptions and believe you've seen everything, but no - as minimalist as it may appear, it's effectively infinite.
Cosy, minimalist city builders like The Block are great for an undemanding play session that doesn't overwhelm you with options, fatuous objectives, or complex commands that make it a headache just to get started. The problem with these games is that a lack of direction can cause a drought for those seeking motivation; they get bored and assume it's the game. That can't happen in Gourdlets.
Gourdlets Review: Your 5-A-Day
The reason that can't happen is due to the residents: they're undeniably cute and have the same hypnotic appeal that Tamagotchi you had as a kid, the guppies swishing around in your algae-infused tank, or even the raindrops trickling down outside. The latter is a weird statement in August, but it is what it is. The point is that these locals are mesmerising and will capture your attention and heart.
Let's establish some premise before getting carried away with Gourdlets' citizens. After selecting a biome, it's time to start with a floor. Unlike other city builders, where you have to build around the terrain, here you make the terrain - just as long as it's parallel to a rail track that brings in new inhabitants.
The UI in the game (which can be toggled) is so intuitive that the tutorial is effectively a series of tooltips to indicate what the button is, and the rest is down to creativity. Undoubtedly, the build menu is the key command, and from here, you draw the land and add structures, decorations and crops so that the Gourdlets are self-sufficient and can enjoy themselves.
Small, But No Micro Management
The best part, however, is that these guys (cute as they may be) are incredibly lazy and can't be bothered with taxes, job roles, or policies... all those boring things. Build anything, and they will go about their daily lives without complaint. One of the many highlights is placing a structure and watching them interact with it - from farming to the nuance of sitting on a bench on some decking.
Another way that sets Gourdlets apart is the interior aspect of buildings. Clicking on a building shows what is inside, opening up further options to customise furnishings and decor, who can and can't access the building (get rid of nosey neighbours!), and even devise a dress code for when fellow citizens enter. It's so cute and immersive, allowing players to do as they please.
This leads to yet another killer feature: currency. There is none. In the game, you can build without restriction other than the tracks. Build more homes, knock them down, have plenty of trees or make a concrete jungle - it won't cost a penny, nor will you have to deal with erratic citizens - they're as easygoing as the game.
Gourdlets Review Summary
In fear of being misleading and saying that Gourdlets will change your life (it won't), it's nevertheless incredibly charming and highly recommended. In this long line of cosy titles at our disposal, it's hard to stand out and offer replayability. Gourdlets nails it with its no-demand mentality and rewards more with a thoroughly cute and cosy experience that will have you return repeatedly.
