MakeThatMoney Review Summary

Surprisingly good for a GameGuru engine title with strategic depth beyond typical FPS and active dev support, yet gameplay stays repetitive, controls tedious, and crashes frequent.

Surprisingly good for GameGuru engine: Despite being made with the GameGuru engine, the game is considered not too bad, with clever and imaginative use of the engine's capabilities. This is a positive note for a typically limited engine.

Strategic depth beyond typical FPS: The game is not just another FPS; it involves strategy, offering a more thoughtful experience. This sets it apart from standard shooters.

Simple controls aid gameplay focus: Simple controls allow players to focus on the gameplay itself, reducing learning curve and enhancing immersion. This is a key positive for usability.

Retro GTA feel via top-down view: The top-down view and music evoke a retro GTA feel, appealing to fans of classic games. This nostalgic element is a notable strength.

Active developer support: The developer actively updates the game and is open to suggestions, which is appreciated by the community. This responsiveness builds trust and improves the game over time.

Repetitive and boring gameplay: Players find the gameplay repetitive, boring, and monotonous, with limited tasks and a lack of variety. The game quickly becomes unenjoyable.

Tedious and confusing controls: Controls are non-changeable, use alternating F and E keys for actions, and have random button inputs. This makes the game tedious and unplayable for some.

Lack of optimization and settings: The game has zero optimization, no resolution or graphics options, and loading hangs. It fails to meet basic PC game standards.

Unfair and broken mechanics: Players face unfair mechanics like random fines, being blacklisted, and losing access to purchased buildings. This makes progression frustrating and illogical.

Frequent crashes and bugs: Multiple players report the game crashing, lagging, and being buggy, with some unable to play at all. This includes crashes on loading screens and during gameplay.

Top-down adventure game: The game is a top-down adventure title built with GameGuru, featuring a single map and text-based interactions with buildings and NPCs.

Day/night cycle affects gameplay: The day and night cycle is a core mechanic that impacts gameplay, such as preventing work at night. This adds a time management layer to the simulation.

Earn money through jobs and businesses: Players earn money by working various jobs, restoring energy, and buying businesses, which are central to progression. This includes promotions and crime as alternative income sources.

Goal is to become millionaire: The primary objective is to earn $1,000,000 before dying of old age, driving the player's long-term strategy and resource management.

Strategy and management simulation: The game involves strategy and management of time, money, and energy, requiring players to balance resources to succeed.

Poor optimization and performance: Several reviews mention poor optimization, lag, freezes, and low FPS, with one noting the game freezes every two seconds. These issues suggest the game runs poorly on many systems.

High FPS on mid-range hardware: A player with an i5 4590 and GTX 960 reports running at over 200 FPS, indicating excellent performance on modest hardware. Another review also notes great FPS rates, suggesting the game can be well-optimized.

Loading screen hangs: One player reports that loading hangs, which can lead to long waits or being stuck. This is a specific performance issue that affects the initial experience.

Well optimized but cap FPS: One review states the game is well optimized but recommends capping the FPS, likely to avoid issues like screen tearing or excessive heat. This suggests the game performs well but may benefit from FPS limiting.

Game not recommended: Multiple reviewers strongly advise against purchasing the game, citing it as a poor value. One reviewer even states it is not worth buying even with a 75% discount.

Worth the price: Some reviewers find the game worth its price, describing it as enjoyable and a good value for cheap fun and time killing. This contrasts with the negative feedback.

Community fair range: $0.99 - $1.99.

Session length: 3.0h.

The game is reported as boring, repetitive, and technically flawed from the outset, with no evidence of any later improvement, so it never becomes fun.

Friction: repetitive gameplay; limited options; crashes; clunky controls; boring tutorial.

Casual Simulation Enthusiast: Casual, pick-up-and-play simulation. Motivation: Relaxing, easy-to-play simulation gameplay. Stance: buy.

Disillusioned Veteran: Critical evaluation, comparing to past experiences. Motivation: Seeking a quality, non-grindy experience, but found the game lacking. Stance: no buy.

GameGuru engine asset flip: Multiple reviews identify the game as an asset flip made with the GameGuru engine, which is considered a poor-quality toolset. This suggests the game lacks original content and is built from pre-made assets.

Outdated compared to GTA: The game is compared unfavorably to GTA V and early top-down GTA games, implying it feels outdated and lacks modern features. It also resembles text-based homeless simulators from the early 2000s.

Developer responsive and improving: Some reviewers respect the developer's work, noting active updates, bug fixes, and openness to suggestions. The store video honestly presents graphics and gameplay.

Not worth the price: Reviewers state the game is cheap but not worth its price, even with a discount. The low quality and asset flip nature make the cost unjustifiable.

Trading cards better than game: The Steam Trading Cards are considered better than the game itself, and the game can be left running to farm cards. This indicates the game's primary value is its cards, not gameplay.