Info about Stonehearth:

Official game description:
In Stonehearth, you pioneer a living world full of warmth, heroism, and mystery. Help a small group of settlers build a home for themselves in a forgotten land. You’ll need to establish a food supply, build shelter, defend your people, monitor their moods, and find a way to grow and expand, facing challenges at every step.  
Starting from procedurally generated terrain with dynamic AI encounters, Stonehearth combines community management and combat with infinite building possibilities. It’s designed to be moddable at every level, from your city to the people and creatures inhabiting the world, and will ship with the tools and documentation for you to add your own customizations to the game, and share them with friends.
Build and Grow Your City
------------------------
The heart of the game is city building and management. When you're just starting out, you'll need to juggle tasks like obtaining a sustainable food supply, building shelter, and defending your fledgling settlement from raiders and other threats.  
Once you've achieved a foothold in the world, it's up to you to write the destiny for your people. You have the flexibility to choose your own path in this game. Do you want to build a great conquering empire? A vibrant trade city? A spiritual monastery? We really want you to feel like this is your settlement, and give you the tools that make it look and operate exactly as you wish.
Level Up Your Settlers
----------------------
All the settlers in your towns have jobs. A job is like a class in a role playing game. Each job has a specific role like hauling materials, building, crafting, and fighting. As your hearthlings work at a job they will gain experience and levels. Some jobs, when they meet certain prerequisites, can upgrade to entirely new jobs with new capabilities.  
Usually, to assign someone a new job you'll also need to craft a tool for them. The Mason can craft blocks, statues, and tools from stone, but to do it he'll need a mallet and chisel crafted by the carpenter. Our goal is to have a job tree that's both very wide and very deep, so there will be plenty of different kinds of things to do in the game, but also a lot of depth to explore if you want to concentrate on any one area.
Player Driven Legacy Through Modding
------------------------------------
We LOVE mods and want to make it as easy as possible to author and share mods.  
Want to see a new kind of sword in the game? You can model it, define its stats, and then craft it in game. You can also share the design with other players so they can enjoy it too, or bring their authored content into your game.  
As a modder you’ll be able to do basically anything that we as developers can do: introduce new items and monsters, write new scripted adventures, influence the AI, you name it. It goes back to that original pen and paper RPG experience, where “the game” is a collaboration between the core ruleset and the stories crafted by the gamemaster.

Release date: Jul 25, 2018

Categories: City Builder, Colony Simulation, Base Building, Mod Support, Voxel-based Gameplay, Crafting, Co-op Multiplayer, Survival

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 80; verdict: Broken - Crashes and Launch Failures; summary: User feedback across Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and English reviews consistently describes a technically broken experience: frequent crashes, lag even on powerful PCs, progressive performance degradation that eventually breaks the UI, and outright launch failures with black screens. One reviewer also notes that promised Linux support never arrived, which is relevant to SteamOS-based devices like the Steam Deck. There is no mention of Proton toggling or external launchers, but the core issues (won't launch, frequent crashes, unreadable/unreachable UI) fall squarely in the 'Broken' tier of the scoring criteria.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The Windows <8GB VRAM cohort reports ongoing performance problems, with users citing severe lag, growing instability, and poor optimization.
  - Sample size: 21 (5% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (negative, 13 reports): Users report heavy lag, increasing instability over time, and poor optimization, though some rely on mods to mitigate the issues.
  - Caveats: 21 of 438 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly frame the game as a sale purchase rather than a full-price buy. A $30 price is criticized for a broken early-access experience, and a nearly £16 price (about $20) is called not worth it, while the reviewer says they would go for it below 10. One reviewer tolerated $25 only due to personal excitement and still told cost-sensitive buyers to wait. A Japanese reviewer bought at 20% off near 2,000 yen (roughly $13-$14) but still considered the current purchase price too high. This supports a community fair base-game range of about $10-$15, with many wanting a discount before buying.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 25.0h
  - Story completion: 2.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The Turkish review gives an explicit content cap of at most 25 hours before the game ends or stalls, which supports gameCompletion around 25 hours. Another reviewer says the game can be technically accomplished in 2 hours; I treat that as the shallow main objective/story completion estimate. Session length is supported by multiple reports that performance degrades after one or two hours and by a reviewer who plays for a couple of hours at a time, so I set sessionLength to 2 hours. No review gives a specific endgame duration; the 200- and 341-hour reports are total playtime/replay comments rather than endgame hours, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players describe a steep, trial-and-error opening that must be tolerated before the game becomes a rewarding creative town builder, though some found it addictive from the start and others report enjoyment fading once they push deeper into an unfinished game.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Pushing through the initial few hours of learning and getting the hang of the game's systems
  - Time to anchor: 3h 0m
  - Friction: Steep trial-and-error learning curve; First few hours of learning required to grasp the systems; Bugs and crashes; Unfinished features and gaps in progression; Feels empty without mods
  - Unlock drivers: Pushing past the initial few hours of learning; Getting the hang of the mechanics; Using community mods (e.g., ACE) to fix crashes and expand content
  - Conditions: Whether community mods are installed; Whether playing co-op with friends; Tolerance for an unfinished game and its bugs; Whether playing singleplayer or multiplayer
- Player Archetypes:
  - Chill Sandbox Town-Builder (buy)
    - Motivation: Relaxing creative town-building, farming, and crafting in a calm atmosphere.
    - Playstyle: Slow-paced sandbox base building, designing villages and managing villagers.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: casual
    - Reference games: The Settlers
  - Mod-Reliant Community Preserver (buy)
    - Motivation: Keeping the abandoned game alive and playable through community mods.
    - Playstyle: Modded playthroughs using ACE and Workshop templates to extend content and fix issues.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Disillusioned Kickstarter Backer (no buy)
    - Motivation: Warning others about an abandoned, unfinished game after being drawn in by crowdfunding promises.
    - Playstyle: Long single- and co-op playthroughs that run into bugs, crashes, and content walls.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: backer
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Co-op Social Player (buy)
    - Motivation: Shared co-op building and social time-sink sessions with friends.
    - Playstyle: Multiplayer and co-op sessions building and exploring together over long stretches.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Civilization 6


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Fun and Relaxing Gameplay (weight 0.5): Players across many clusters describe the game as fun, relaxing, wholesome, and addictive. This broad positivity is the most consistent theme in the feedback.
- Beautiful and Cute Art Style (weight 0.3): The voxel-based art style is widely admired for being cute, charming, and visually appealing. Players value its uniqueness and nostalgic warmth.
- Modding Community Keeps Game Alive (weight 0.23): A large number of reviewers credit the dedicated modding community for sustaining the game. Mods and expansions are seen as essential to keeping it fun and updated.
- Charming and Unique Villagers (weight 0.18): Hearthlings and villagers are consistently described as cute, with individual personalities and entertaining behaviors. Their development and interactions add significant charm.
- Building Design Freedom Appreciated (weight 0.18): The ability to design custom buildings and the high freedom in construction are highlighted as appealing and unique features. These mechanics enhance creativity and sandbox gameplay.
- High Potential but Short-lived Fun (weight 0.18): Several reviewers note the game had massive potential but ultimately became fun only for a limited time. This suggests an unmet expectation or lack of long-term engagement.
- Excellent Colony and Town Builder (weight 0.17): Many consider it one of the best colony or town-building games, praising its perfect micromanagement balance and engaging city-building loop.
- Addictive and Satisfying Gameplay Loop (weight 0.12): Reviewers frequently mention the addictive nature of the gameplay loop, often playing for many hours straight. The loop is seen as satisfying and engaging.
- Long-term Enjoyment and Revisits (weight 0.12): Many players have enjoyed the game over several years and frequently revisit it. This longevity highlights its enduring appeal.
- Dedicated and Passionate Developers (weight 0.1): The developers are recognized for their passion, dedication, and regular updates. This gives players hope for the game's future.
- Soothing and Fitting Music (weight 0.09): The music is praised for being relaxing and perfectly suiting the game's atmosphere. It enhances the overall experience.
- Sufficient Content and Replayability (weight 0.09): Reviewers mention a decent amount of content and good replay value, suggesting the game offers lasting engagement. This adds to its overall appeal.
- Engaging Mechanics and Design (weight 0.09): The game's interesting mechanics and well-structured design are noted as engaging. This contributes to its positive reception.
- Enjoyable Despite Bugs (weight 0.05): Some players acknowledge the presence of bugs but still find the game excellent and worth trying. This indicates that the core experience outweighs technical issues.

Common complaints:
- Developers Abandoned Game (weight 0.55): Feedback repeatedly states the game was abandoned by its developer, often after acquisition or during beta. Many note development stopped entirely, leaving it unsupported and unfinished.
- Numerous Bugs and Glitches (weight 0.46): Bugs, glitches, and crashes are frequently mentioned, with some being game-breaking. The game is often called a buggy mess even after years of release.
- Unfinished Incomplete Game (weight 0.32): Players report the game is feature-incomplete, never finished, and lacks promised content. It is widely described as an unfinished product that will likely remain so.
- Poor Performance and Optimization (weight 0.22): The game is poorly optimized, causing lag, choppiness, and low frame rates. Performance issues worsen with more hearthlings, making it unplayable for some.
- Lack of Updates and Support (weight 0.16): Updates have ceased, and the game has received no major support for years. This lack of ongoing maintenance contributes to its abandoned feel.

Gameplay feedback:
- Core City Building Gameplay (weight 0.52): Players manage and develop a medieval village or city, focusing on construction, resource management, and meeting villager needs. This is the central experience praised across many reviews.
- Extensive Mod Support (weight 0.3): The game supports mods, including Steam Workshop integration and community expansions like ACE. Many players highlight mods as essential for enhancing or making the game playable.
- Villager Management and Professions (weight 0.21): Villagers (Hearthlings) have customizable talents, levels, and can be assigned various jobs like carpenter, farmer, and blacksmith. Job progression and management are core mechanics.
- Custom Building Design System (weight 0.17): Players can design their own buildings from scratch or use templates, similar to The Sims build mode. This creative freedom is a key feature.
- Multiplayer and Co-op (weight 0.14): The game offers multiplayer modes, including co-op with friends and competitive play. This social aspect is frequently mentioned.
- Combat and Enemy Encounters (weight 0.13): Combat is present, with players defending against goblin raids and other creatures. Military units like footmen, knights, archers, and clerics are used.
- Voxel Art Style (weight 0.07): The game features a voxel-based art style that allows for unique building designs. This visual choice is noted for its charm and flexibility.
- Crafting and Storage Systems (weight 0.05): The game includes crafting and storage mechanics, allowing players to create and manage items. This adds depth to resource management.
- Randomly Generated Maps (weight 0.05): Maps are randomly generated with seeds, and players can select settlement locations. This adds replayability.
- Farming and Agriculture (weight 0.05): Farming with crops is a featured activity, contributing to the settlement's food supply and economy.
- Creative Expression and Sandbox (weight 0.05): The game offers sandbox elements and creative building options, allowing for personal expression and artistic designs.
- Survival Elements (weight 0.05): The game blends city building with survival mechanics, requiring players to manage threats and resources.
- Pathfinding AI for Villagers (weight 0.05): Villager pathfinding AI is present but can be affected by computational load, impacting performance.
- Commanding Settlers to Build (weight 0.05): Players can command settlers to build and defend the town, as well as design towns and villages.
- Simulation and Management (weight 0.05): The game is a simulation and management game, focusing on micromanagement and detailed orders.

Performance notes:
- Poor optimization and high system demands (weight 0.43): Reviewers consistently criticize the game's optimization, noting that it runs poorly even on high-end systems and that increasing settings strains the computer. Some mention it is CPU-intensive and requires a powerful PC.
- Severe lag and performance issues (weight 0.41): Players frequently report lagging, especially in the late game, with performance degrading as village size increases. This is a widespread complaint across many clusters.
- Frequent crashes and instability (weight 0.33): The game crashes constantly, often unexpectedly, and becomes unstable with larger villages or after extended play. Many users report crashes every few hours or during specific actions.
- Launch failures and black screens on Windows (weight 0.26): Many users report the game fails to launch, shows a black screen, or crashes on startup, particularly on Windows 10 and 11. Workarounds like deleting a file or pressing F5 are sometimes needed.
- Lag and crashes with many villagers (weight 0.22): Performance issues and crashes are strongly correlated with the number of villagers or hearthlings. The game becomes unplayable beyond 20-30 villagers.
- Simulation and AI issues under load (weight 0.18): The simulation runs on a single core and struggles with many entities, leading to AI freezes, pathfinding breakage, and villagers idling. This is a major bottleneck.
- Frequent freezing and stuttering (weight 0.15): The game frequently freezes, stutters, or becomes choppy, often after an hour or two of play or as the village grows. This can make it unplayable.
- Memory leak and degradation over time (weight 0.14): A memory leak causes performance to degrade the longer the game is played, with memory usage rising significantly after several hours. Restarting the game temporarily alleviates the issue.
- Engine errors and bugs (weight 0.13): Players encounter regular engine errors, fatal errors, and other bugs that affect gameplay. Some are related to the old engine and code errors.
- UI lag and unresponsiveness (weight 0.12): The user interface becomes laggy, unresponsive, or freezes entirely, especially in large cities or during heavy load. Menus may take seconds to open.
- Mods cause instability (weight 0.09): Adding mods often leads to loading problems, crashes, or increased instability. Some players rely on performance mods to mitigate issues.
- Game runs well on some systems (weight 0.08): Despite widespread issues, some users report the game runs flawlessly on certain configurations, such as MacOS, Linux, or with integrated graphics.
- Performance degrades in co-op (weight 0.07): In co-op mode, performance degradation is compounded, with lag and low FPS even on good hardware and connections. Playing with friends overseas exacerbates lag.
- Game becomes heavy after many hours (weight 0.05): After extended play sessions, the game becomes heavy and slows down, requiring restarts to maintain performance.
- 64-bit mode improves performance (weight 0.05): Enabling 64-bit mode or using x32 mode can significantly improve performance for some users, though results vary.
- System upgrades do not fix issues (weight 0.05): Upgrading memory or GPU does not resolve the performance problems, indicating fundamental optimization flaws rather than hardware limitations.
- Black screen on startup fixable (weight 0.05): A black screen on startup can sometimes be fixed by pressing F5 and waiting, or by deleting a specific file from the install path.
- Requires 32-bit mode to launch (weight 0.05): Some users need to run the game in 32-bit mode to launch it successfully, indicating compatibility issues with 64-bit systems.
- Performance mods help (weight 0.04): Performance optimization mods from the workshop can alleviate some issues, such as AI freezes and memory leaks.

Recommendations:
- Avoid or Do Not Buy (weight 0.45): Multiple clusters advise against purchasing the game, citing abandonment, bugs, and poor value. This sentiment is strong and recurring.
- Conditional Recommendations (weight 0.4): Reviewers recommend the game with caveats such as enjoying the genre, playing with mods, or waiting for sales. These provide nuanced perspectives.
- ACE Mod is Essential (weight 0.34): Many reviewers state the ACE mod fixes base game issues and is necessary for a complete experience. Use ACE from the workshop for a better playthrough.
- Mods Improve Experience (weight 0.34): Playing with mods, especially ACE, is highly recommended to enhance gameplay and fix issues. Mods are seen as vital for enjoyment.
- For Genre Fans (weight 0.33): The game is recommended for fans of city builders, management sims, and sandbox games. Enjoyment depends on genre preference.
- Wait for Sale or Release (weight 0.21): Some reviewers suggest waiting for a discount or full release before buying. This reflects concerns about current price and unfinished state.
- Price Concerns (weight 0.19): Some reviewers feel the game is not worth full price but may be worth it on sale. Price sensitivity is a common theme.
- General Recommendations (weight 0.17): Several clusters contain positive recommendations without specific conditions. These highlight overall satisfaction and worth.
- Creative Sandbox (weight 0.14): The game offers creative freedom in building and designing towns, which is a major draw for some players.
- Developer Criticism (weight 0.13): Some reviewers criticize the developer for abandoning the game and advise against supporting them. This includes boycotts.
- Mod Community Appreciation (weight 0.09): Reviewers appreciate the modding community for keeping the game alive and improving it. Supporting modders is encouraged.
- Piracy Suggested (weight 0.07): A few reviewers suggest pirating the game instead of buying, due to the game's state or to support modders. This is a controversial recommendation.
- Multiplayer Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Playing with friends is more enjoyable, but mods may be needed for a smooth experience. Multiplayer is a plus for some.
- Watch Gameplay First (weight 0.06): Some suggest watching videos or reading articles before buying to see if the game suits you. This is practical advice.
- Nostalgia Value (weight 0.03): Some reviewers recommend the game for nostalgia, indicating it holds sentimental value. This is a niche positive.
- Solo Play for Ending (weight 0.02): One reviewer mentions continuing to play solo just to see the ending. This suggests limited engagement.

Other player notes:
- Community Mods Sustain Game (weight 0.38): A dedicated modding community keeps the game alive through mods, especially the ACE mod. This is a key positive point for many players.
- Riot Games Acquisition Killed Game (weight 0.24): Riot Games acquired the developer Radiant Entertainment and effectively killed the game by reassigning developers and marking it complete. This event is widely cited as the reason for abandonment.
- Early Access and Premature Release (weight 0.16): The game was released in Early Access and some feel it left Early Access prematurely, remaining incomplete. This contributes to perceptions of an unfinished product.
- Kickstarter Funded Game (weight 0.14): The game was originally funded via Kickstarter, raising $750K. This background is often mentioned in reviews.
- Steam Workshop Support (weight 0.09): The game supports Steam Workshop, which facilitates modding and extends the game's lifespan. This feature is appreciated by the community.
- Comparison to Dwarf Fortress (weight 0.09): Players often compare the game to Dwarf Fortress, noting similarities in simulation depth but a more streamlined experience. This comparison highlights its niche appeal.
- Game Considered Abandonware (weight 0.07): Many players describe the game as abandonware, indicating it is no longer officially supported and left unfinished. This sentiment is common.
- Official Launch in 2015 (weight 0.07): The game officially launched in 2015 and was in development since then. This timeline is often referenced in reviews.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.41): The game was abandoned by its developers, often after being acquired by a larger company, leaving it unfinished and with unfixed bugs. This resulted in unfulfilled potential, broken Kickstarter promises, cut content, and persistent performance issues that made the game unplayable for many.
- Frustration (weight 0.37): Severe technical problems such as constant crashes, poor optimization, lag, and save-corrupting bugs make the game nearly unplayable, especially in the mid-to-late game. Additionally, broken AI, clunky building mechanics, and a lack of updates exacerbate the experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.16): Players find the game highly addictive and fun, particularly enjoying the city-building mechanics, micromanagement, and watching characters go about their tasks. The cooperative mode and mod support also contribute to the enjoyment.
- Sadness (weight 0.06): The game's abandonment and the end of development evoke sadness, as players mourn the loss of potential and the fact that no more content will be released. The game is now only kept alive by mods, and its unplayable state is depressing.
- Love (weight 0.05): Players express deep affection for the game, appreciating its charm, potential, and the love put into it by the developers. Despite its flaws, it remains a favorite that they keep returning to.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): The game provides a satisfying colony simulation experience with perfect micromanagement, engaging gameplay, and strong mod support. Active developer updates and the ability to design structures add to the satisfaction.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement stemmed from the game's potential, robust building system, and planned features like multiplayer. Dev diaries, mods, and the creative possibilities, such as playing as Mole Men, fueled anticipation.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's unique art style, creative freedom, and the dedication of both the development team and the modding community. The game's charm and soul make it stand out despite its bugs.
- Anger (weight 0.04): Anger arises from perceived corporate greed, broken promises, and the game being sold in an unfinished state. Players feel betrayed by developers who abandoned the game after taking Kickstarter funds.
- Hope (weight 0.03): Hope persists through the modding community, which keeps the game alive and even improves it. Players wish for the return of the development team or a spiritual successor that fully realizes the game's potential.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiastic players highly recommend the game, praising its engaging gameplay, cute style, and active mod development. With good hardware and learning the mechanics, the game becomes great and immersive.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is directed at the developers' passion and dedication, particularly their continued work on the game despite challenges and their transparent communication with the community.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia stems from childhood memories of playing the game, often since elementary school, and the excitement and joy experienced during those formative years.
- Interest (weight 0.02): The game's interesting premises, unique blend of RTS, sandbox, and RPG elements, and engaging gameplay capture players' interest from the start.
- Affection (weight 0.02): Affection is felt for the game's concept of designing buildings, the cute and personable hearthlings, and the charm brought by the modding community, especially the ACE mod.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret often comes from purchasing the game without reading reviews, only to find it abandoned, buggy, and unfinished. The lack of updates and the game's unplayable state lead to feelings of wasted money.
- Liking (weight 0.01): Players like the game for its relaxing music, cute hearthlings, and enjoyable gameplay, often recalling it fondly from childhood.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed toward the modding community for keeping the game alive, fixing issues, and enhancing the experience. The helpful Discord community also earns thanks.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is derived from the game's relaxing and wonderful gameplay, unique graphical style, exceptional music, and limitless creativity in town building. It also brings joy to children who become immersed.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement is found in silly villager behavior, such as getting stuck on walls, and the game's reduced price. The inability to play well after six years also provides a humorous contrast.}