Workers and Resources: Soviet Republic

”Construction is a matter of optimism; it’s a matter of facing the future with confidence.” –Cesar Pelli

***Very special thanks go to a very special person in my life for proofing this review.

Workers and Resources: Soviet Republic (WR) is a city building and management simulation themed on proverbial Soviet Russia. This title presents a casual, cathartic experience while divulging a surprising amount of depth and finesse. Though currently in Early Access, WR boasts enough content to loom a satiated release. I feel I must iterate that I received a keycode for this title from the developers for review purposes without further compensation.

Here are a few reasons to civilize in this title:

Aesthetic - I cannot validate the absolute historical accuracy in this title, but the theme presentation is intriguing as it focuses on one select group of people from Soviet Russia through a historical point of the player’s choice from the 1960s to the 1980s, including their technical advancements and political revisions-described in further detail later in this writing. Given WR is primarily an artificial affair, the theme may be adapted according to player preference, however slightly merely through its nonchalant building and resource pathway mechanisms. A rather daunting premise stems from the presentation of the overworld depicting prelabeled towns without foundation from which to build upon when certain settings are applied. This function encourages the player to erect the Soviet society they desire throughout a massive region, rather than just adjusting a single or handful of municipalities. The music and map district designation aid in centering the targeted subject matter, supporting immersion during periods of play as well.

Gameplay - As loosely expressed previously, Workers and Resources is a casual simulation primed toward organizing structures across a vast expanse while micromanaging and balancing citizens’ trust, contentment, education, and more. Formations erected require not only bordering resources to be within a given range but delegations of direct supply, public transportation, and storage means to be operational. This means that assiduous preparation must be considered in regard to the size and layout of each territory, especially pertaining to the native territory and provisions. As I have termed them resource chains, the player must link the stated obligations between associated functions, such as a bust system for residents, in order for each industry to operate adequately. These chains and additional services may also be prioritized so as to facilitate a majority of its efforts toward a particular production ideal. For example, housing units may accommodate predominantly college students or the working class if delegated to do so. The resource chain and priorities systems may be faintly challenging to interpret at first, but it becomes more accessible with rehearsal. Both Rubles and Dollars are utilized as viable currency for construction and allow for additional options when administrating others. Players may begin with a completely uninhabited or mostly rural landscape, and edit statistics such as prevalence of major environmental events and the date in which to begin. In this stage of development there are no win conditions nor objectives, fostering an untailored, informal experience.

TL:DR – Workers and Resources: Soviet Republic-though still in Early Access-contains an adequate amount of content and intrigue as a management simulation to merit recommendation to fanatics of its claimed genres. Its resource chain pathways take quite a bit of getting used to but impose strategic regulations rarely witnessed in other titles. This title holds much promise in working towards its final release, and welcome its success. Thanks for reading.

Do you feel this review helped in any way? Feel free to visit my Curator Page at Spearpoint Reviews.
Originally posted on July 1, 2019.