Mad Merchant

Short Answer this game is a 4.5/10. Long answer, this game feels so empty and unrefined. There is nothing that pulls the player in aside from "Train in post-apocalyptic world that is a factory". If that is enough for you then perhaps you'll enjoy this more. I was hoping for more of a goal, a reason, but the game doesn't give me anything aside from "upgrade your train". In other idle games you at least get some "big number go brrrr" but here there is no indicator, no real visual difference that your train is changing, and it's idle components are only for 12 min or so. So this is a game you need to baby but it's not entertaining enough to be the main focus. I have other games that could be a main focus and if I want an idle game I'll go for Melvor Idle or something that has an AFK/"while you were away" component. Last point, the game is extremely buggy. There are contracts that let you infinetly complete them like "install a turret" or "hold 15k while at X", but when I make 36 iron pipes for a contract it just does see that I have enough. I can go on with the number of other bugs, but others here are also pointing them out. If you want to put some cash in a small devs pocket so …

*UPDATE* Devs responded (very quickly), so there may have been updates to adress one or more of my points. Positive: - Shooting drones is optional Negative: - Navigation feels clonky. - Tutorial feels forced and not satisfying at all. On the plus side, the tutorial only takes 5-10 minutes. Works on Ubuntu 24.04 without any tinker steps. Takes about a minute to launch, just be patient. I can't enjoy the game when navigation feels as jank as it does. Some would say its a skill issue, and I slightly agree, but I also feel like there are obvious UX improvements that can be implemented. I hope the dev sees this and takes my thoughts into consideration: - When going to the map, it becomes fullscreen which feels out of place, and requires you to click an X in the corner to exit the map. The visual experience for this is good, but the playing-experience feels "interrupted" when I have to look for the X when I misclick the Map button. - You *have* to use the buttons at the top of the screen to navigate, but for me it felt more intuitive to click the 3D visible shops, but that does not work. - Either I'm missing something, or you have to drive a route to see your energy production and us…

This was one of the most enjoyable games I've played recently. Being able to manage the train cars and control the train was quite enjoyable. As an improvement, if the budget allows, an open-world online option could be added.

A great blend of wasteland trading, train management, and defense strategy. The core loop of producing goods, trading between settlements, and fending off drone ambushes keeps you hooked. A must-play for management and automation fans!

I really like this game!

between ai art use (which seems to have made it all the way into the game unlike what disclosed says) and getting hardlocked about 5 minutes into the game this seems like it could use some work. the idea seems fine tho