We haven’t been able to get our hands on a copy of Two Point Museum just yet, but we’re getting ready to fit it into our content for the next few weeks. Expect some Two Point Museum streams and a review, with perhaps some other pieces around it (guides, top 5 lists etc).
In the meantime, we’re really pleased to see it’s doing the rounds at bigger publications and looks to have a pretty damn positive reception, which only gets us more excited!
Here’s what the first reviews are saying.
Two Point Museum
Two Point Studios has once again delivered a management sim that’s both charming and addictive with Two Point Museum. The game successfully transports players into the whimsical world of museum management, blending familiar mechanics with fresh, engaging features.
Gameplay and Features
The core gameplay loop, which involves building, staffing, and managing a successful museum, has been widely praised. IGN highlights the “satisfying progression” and the “constant stream of new challenges,” noting that the game keeps players consistently engaged.
The new expedition system, where staff members are sent out to retrieve rare artifacts, is a clear standout. This seems to be the biggest stand-out feature across the board. It’s got us very excited at how that will work into the core gameplay loop.
The customization options are also a hit. GameSpew notes the “sheer amount of creative freedom” players have in designing their museums, from the layout and decor to the exhibits themselves. The series’s signature quirky humor and visual style are also present and accounted for, with many reviewers finding the character animations and environmental details to be charming and entertaining. All to be expected at this stage, but great to have it confirmed!
A Few Exhibits Under Scrutiny: Points of Contention
While the overall reception is positive, some reviewers have pointed out areas where Two Point Museum falls slightly short. PC Gamer mentions that while the game is fun, it doesn’t necessarily break new ground in the management sim genre, suggesting it’s more of an evolution than a revolution. They also mention that late game repetition can occur. Being honest, I’m not sure who was expecting a significant departure from the core gameplay loop that makes the series what it is.
The game’s humor, while generally well-received, has been a point of contention for some. COGconnected felt it fell a bit flatter than in previous Two Point titles.
Some reviewers also found the game’s difficulty curve to be a bit uneven, with certain challenges feeling overly punishing.
The randomness of the expedition system, while praised for its novelty, has also been criticized. The instances where staff members go missing or return injured can be frustrating, especially when it disrupts carefully laid plans. This seems more in line with modern gaming and almost a roguelite element, so I understand the frustration, but it seems Two Point Museum is adding some chance and risk/reward to a management sim, and that works for me in principle.
A Worthy Addition to the Two Point Collection
Despite these minor criticisms, Two Point Museum is a well-crafted and entertaining management sim that’s sure to appeal to fans of the genre and the Two Point series. Its charming visuals, engaging gameplay, and unique expedition system make it a worthwhile addition to any gamer’s library.
The ninjarefinery.com review
We’ll get to a review as soon as we can, and this broad overview of what people are saying is important, but not anything we’ll be influenced by.
Humour is subjective, gameplay elements are subjective (some people like to be punished and challenged, others don’t). The whole point of reviews is to give a unique take, and where thoughts align with others, that’s great. Sometimes, though, they don’t. It’s all subjective to the individual reviewing the game.
We don’t believe in scoring games because what does an arbitrary number really mean? We give ratings based on how we would recommend the game to others “Not Recommended”, “Recommended”, “Highly Recommended” and “Exceptional”. That’s all it is and all it needs to be. If we recommended it, that’s us putting our money where our mouth is, our reputation, if we have one.
We’ll be fair, open and honest. And whilst we’re clearly buzzing to open the doors on our first museum. We’ll be as critical as we are excited.
As a museum curator, I am extremely excited for this game. Now I can manage a museum at work and at home. Happy days!