Schedule I
Last updated: 2025-12-29
- Addictive gameplay loop with deep crafting
- Highly engaged developer with promising updates
- Unique mechanics and rewarding progression system
- Severe multiplayer save corruption issues
- Poor multiplayer optimization and instability
- Late-game repetitiveness and grind problems
Emotions
Players experience significant frustration due to pervasive bugs, performance issues, and game instability, particularly in multiplayer and late-game scenarios. Key pain points include progression-blocking bugs, crashes, poor optimization (e.g., lack of DLSS support), and tedious micromanagement systems like employee automation and storage, which disrupt the gameplay loop.
Excitement stems from the game's unique and chaotic gameplay mechanics, such as drug mixing, faction wars, and multiplayer interactions. Players are also energized by the potential of future updates (e.g., the 'shrooms update') and the addictive, unpredictable nature of the gameplay loop, which offers high customization and replayability.
Satisfaction arises from the rewarding progression system, strategic depth, and the joy of building and optimizing a drug empire. Players appreciate the frequent updates, developer engagement, and the game's ability to balance challenge with accessibility, particularly in solo or co-op play.
The game's humor and absurdity, such as ridiculous drug names (e.g., 'Strawberry Monkey'), chaotic NPC interactions, and satirical tone, provide consistent amusement. Players also enjoy the creative freedom in mixing ingredients and the lighthearted, cartoonish chaos that unfolds during gameplay.
Disappointment is driven by persistent bugs, slow content updates, and unfulfilled potential, particularly in late-game mechanics like the Cartel update. Players feel let down by the lack of developer responsiveness, repetitive grind, and technical issues that disrupt immersion and progression.
Verdict
Mostly positive
Summary
Positive 77% · Negative 23%. Score: 23 / 100
Positives:
- The core gameplay loop (e.g., growing, selling, upgrading) is repeatedly described as satisfying, immersive, and easy to learn but deep enough to optimize. Players find it hard to stop due to its rewarding nature.
- The developer is frequently praised for active communication, transparency, and rapid updates. Players appreciate the dedication to bug fixes, new content, and community feedback integration, which keeps the game alive and evolving.
- The game features creative, open-ended mechanics (e.g., drug mixing, stealing, cartel interactions) that differentiate it from others in the genre. Players enjoy the risk-reward systems and methodical progression.
- The game’s comical, non-serious tone (e.g., absurd drug mechanics, offbeat humor) is a major draw. Players appreciate the charming and irreverent atmosphere, which balances the gameplay’s depth.
- Players express excitement for upcoming content (e.g., mushroom updates, community-voted features) and the developer’s roadmap. The potential for long-term support adds to the game’s appeal.
Negatives:
- Frequent crashes, host disconnections, and corrupted save files lead to irreversible loss of progress (e.g., 12-42 hours of gameplay). Players report being forced to restart or wait for patches due to unplayable states.
- Joining lobbies is plagued by infinite loading screens, NPC sync issues, and performance drops (e.g., 2-minute load times). Players on high-end PCs experience lag spikes and crashes.
- Progression slows significantly in mid-to-late game, with repetitive tasks (e.g., ingredient deliveries) and lack of meaningful rewards. Players report burnout after 20-40 hours due to grindy loops.
- The cartel system is poorly implemented, with bugs preventing spawns, influence reduction, and story advancement. Players face softlocks (e.g., Westville blockade) and frustration due to lack of fixes.
- Limited replayability and end-game content leave players with repetitive tasks. The game transitions from engaging to a grind with little new to unlock.
Gameplay:
- Players can create, mix, and optimize various drug concoctions with unique effects, including custom strains and automated production. This system is highly detailed, allowing for experimentation and strategic gameplay.
- The game features a structured progression system with unlockable areas, vehicles, and upgrades. Players expand their operations by completing tasks, reducing cartel influence, and acquiring new properties.
- Players can hire, manage, and automate employees to handle production, logistics, and other tasks. This system allows for significant workflow optimization and reduces repetitive micromanagement.
- Players must evade police blockades and interact with NPCs, including drug addicts and dealers. NPCs have dynamic behaviors, schedules, and humorous traits that enhance immersion.
- Players can launder money through legitimate businesses (e.g., laundromats) and expand their criminal empire by acquiring properties and managing resources.
Performance:
- Players report frequent crashes, especially in co-op mode or after updates, leading to instability and forced restarts. This affects both single-player and multiplayer experiences, with non-host players being particularly impacted.
- Players experience FPS drops, lag spikes, and inconsistent performance across different hardware, including high-spec PCs. Low-end systems struggle with Ultra settings, while some mid-range builds face unexpected FPS drops.
- The game runs on decent hardware but requires adjustments for lower-end builds. While some players praise its optimization for older PCs, others note performance degradation without visual tweaks.
- Bugs affect core gameplay, including NPCs getting stuck, flying cars, and open doors. These issues disrupt immersion and functionality, with some requiring workarounds or fixes.
- Long lobby join times, host disconnections, and loading screen issues plague multiplayer sessions. Players report errors like 'host left' and extended wait times compared to previous versions.
Recommendations:
- The game is widely recommended for its enjoyment, replayability, and immersive experience, especially for fans of tabletop or resource management genres. Many players praise its value and engagement despite minor flaws.
- The game shines in multiplayer, particularly for chaotic or humorous group play. Players emphasize its suitability for cooperative experiences, such as building a drug empire or managing systems together.
- The game appeals strongly to fans of sandbox or management genres, particularly those who enjoy empire-building or chaotic, humorous gameplay. It’s praised for its depth and immersion.
- The game is considered a good value at its current price point, with many suggesting it’s an even better deal during sales. Players highlight its long-term engagement and content.
- Players express excitement for future updates and suggest expanding multiplayer features or adding long-term goals to extend gameplay longevity.
Miscellaneous:
- Players frequently suggest adding competitive or cooperative social systems, such as friend rankings, global gangs, or a broader community framework. These features aim to enhance multiplayer engagement and replayability.
- Requests for personal houses, vehicle customization, and deeper character writing highlight a demand for more immersive and personalized gameplay elements. These features would allow players to express individuality and enhance role-playing.
- Players acknowledge the game's origins as a solo developer project, with some noting the studio's recent expansion. This context is often mentioned as a factor in the game's current state.
- Players appreciate the Early Access phase as an immersive workshop experience, feeling directly involved in the game's development process. This sentiment is tied to the game's recent release and iterative improvements.
- Suggestions include adding a dealer delivery system and more dynamic vehicle movement mechanics. These features would enrich the game's transportation and logistics systems.
