WWGW - Treasure Hunter Simulator

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Published on December 6, 2018 12:16:27 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=932iWQRuJH8

Game:

Treasure Hunter Simulator (2018)

Duration: 22:43

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2

Like most simulation games, Treasure Hunter Simulator plays to an audience looking for that escapism of videogames not through action and heart-pounding adventure, but through their ability to reach into the thrust of another life-experience or career--absent the real-world costs, dangers, or tediums—in order to highlight the most relaxing and rewarding elements held within. And it certainly accomplishes its goal, providing a new and unique simulation experience for the genre’s fans to relief stress.

GAMEPLAY:
The main thrust of the experience involves simply exploring these large scenic areas, aflush with natural beauty and real landmarks, in order to find specific spots on the map revealing a variety of trinkets and treasures---okay, and some junk as well. But the junk just made those treasure finds all the sweeter. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect about the game—and the one I think will keep players going, aside from the raw addiction of “just one more dig!”---was how each treasure was often historic in nature, with descriptions filled with intriguing information. Even when there is little to be said for any given item, the most mundane of (non-trash) finds would still provide valued historic insight into the object’s nature or modern context. Rather than serving as a treasure HUNTING experience, I think it’s really all the trivia and contextualization with background information that makes this game so apt as a TREASURE hunting simulator. I would often find myself unwilling to part with items for sale, and was most enthralled by finding the next dig allowing me to expand my rapidly growing collection of oddities.
It’s clear how well the game knows its role and audience with the first gameplay option actually defaulting to the exploration mode where all the areas are unlocked already. For those of you looking for a bit more guidance or that sensation of building something, the gameplay offers a career mode where your progress depends on successful explorations to unlock the next areas, upgrade gear, and keep your father’s legacy alive. There are optional side quests available for additional cash or prestige, though the gameplay experience is largely unchanged. It’s always about the journey rather than the destination.




Graphics:
Pretty solid with some lovely grass movement and shadows, though I’d really like to see some official 4K texture packs coming out with so much enjoyment coming from the central beauty of each landscape. Though not necessarily a graphics issue, I’d also like to see more animals around or the occasional person.

CONTROLS:
They’re simple to the point of elegance for the actions needed, though the inability to rebind keys seems like a grievous oversight for a game that’s meant to be a stress-reliever and provide the ideal experience. The lack of native controller support is another big ding since (at least personally) there’s nothing more relaxing than being able to lean back with a controller in hand rather than hunch over the keyboard.
One really cool thing I liked was the base game menu including an “unstuck” option serving as a short teleport in the case of the occasional glitch or stick area with elevating grounds. Realism can eat a dick when it comes to interfering with the game’s purpose here since there’s nothing like some session-cancelling bug to dampen the appealing simplicity. Though I am somewhat wondering why they didn’t simply include a small JUMP for the same purpose, or additional add with those hard to find treasure spots at angles.

AUDIO/SOUNDTRACK:
Often ranging from a melodic bounce of joyful nature, much like that feeling of a prohibition era (gentile) grifting montage across the countryside, to a heavy inspirational embrace of life, like escaping after twenty years of a life-sentence at Shawshank.

STORYLINE:
Something, something dead father.

REPLAYABILITY:
Nigh-infinite. When the heart of the game extends from a quite-literal ‘casual walk through the park’ there’s an endless amount of stress-relief to be found, meanwhile the inner-collector will find it addictive trying to expand their variety of cool finds and balance progression without having to give up the goods.

Check out TreasureHunter Simulator available on Steam now-ish!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/748300/Treasure_Hunter_Simulator/?curator_clanid=32660416


Find more recommendations for weird, and wonderful games at our curation group:
https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32660416-Weird-Wonderful-Game-Watch/

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