Sphere - Flying Cities

Sphere - Flying Cities presents a unique concept of managing a flying, mobile colony with survival and city-building elements. Players must balance resource gathering, research, and navigating a global map to sustain their city. However, many reviews highlight that the game feels unfinished and rough around the edges, with numerous bugs, performance issues, and a clunky user interface. The slow travel times and repetitive gameplay loop, mainly involving waiting for the city to move between sectors, detract from the overall experience. While the developers have addressed some issues post-release and the game shows potential, many players find the game tedious and lacking depth. The story and graphics receive some praise, but the lack of meaningful player engagement and poor balancing hold the game back. It's generally recommended to buy on sale if interested, as the full price is not justified by the current content and polish level. Fans of the genre may find some enjoyment, but the game is not a standout city builder at this stage.

Highlights

Players appreciate the intriguing concept of a flying city and the unique take on the city builder and survival genres. The graphics, especially the city visuals and atmospheric effects, are often praised for their quality and immersion. The research system, involving resource elements, is considered innovative by some. The developers are commended for actively listening to feedback and improving the game post-release. The game offers a solid foundation with a decent campaign and an interesting story backdrop. Some find the gameplay engaging, especially early on, and the game is noted for being accessible to fans of lighter city builders.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the slow and tedious game pace, particularly the long travel times between sectors which dominate gameplay. The UI is described as clunky, lacking hotkeys and detailed information, making management cumbersome. Resource balancing and repair mechanics are frustrating, with frequent storms causing damage and repairs becoming a chore. The research tree is considered overwhelming but unsatisfying, with important unlocks gated behind minor upgrades. Bugs, crashes, and performance issues, including low frame rates and save file problems, are frequently reported. The story and character development are seen as weak, with little emotional engagement. Many feel the game was released prematurely and still has an early access feel despite being a full release.