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Town to City on PC
What does it mean to be happy? Is it queuing for the latest iPhone in some flashy new colour, or something simpler — closer to what Maslow once scribbled about at the tip of his triangle?
Hold that thought, because Town to City by Kwalee and Galaxy Grove might just have the answer. Hours drift by as you build gardens, lay cobblestones, and design flower-filled backyards for virtual residents who never stop asking for “just one more bench.” Somewhere between the routine and the rhythm, Town to City becomes unexpectedly therapeutic, a gentle reminder that happiness can be built, one hedge at a time.
Where Cosy Meets Compelling
I originally picked this up to ease my girlfriend into gaming, hoping to find something between her love of Stardew Valley and my obsession with deep simulation builders. Against all odds, Town to City hit that exact sweet spot.
Beneath its sun-bleached voxel aesthetic — a French Mediterranean dreamscape of pastel rooftops and tiled courtyards — lies surprising depth. There’s resource management, layered progression, and enough upgrades to make even veteran city planners pause. It’s cosy, yes, but it’s not brainless.
Mayoral Bliss and the Pursuit of Happiness
The game begins in Belvau, where you, the newly minted mayor, shape an entire settlement from a god’s-eye view. Build houses, lay paths, and add amenities to meet your citizens’ needs, like sustenance, satisfaction, and employment. As trains roll in, bringing more hopeful residents, your small town begins to breathe.
But expansion alone won’t do. Town to City ties progress to happiness, requiring you to balance efficiency with charm. Trees, flowerbeds, and even lamppost placement influence your Gross Happiness Index, which is a clever spin on city-building that makes beauty a mechanical necessity.
The Joy of Small Requests
Your citizens will regularly write in with requests, ranging from modest “add a few flowers” notes to full-blown design projects that demand statues, hedge mazes, or bustling market squares. These errands, while simple, create a satisfying sense of progression: a gentle drip of purpose that keeps you engaged.
Every completed request unlocks new items you can’t access in Sandbox mode, rewarding you for caring about your townsfolk’s whims. It’s a subtle but effective feedback loop: decorate to please, and your city rewards you in kind.
New Maps, Familiar Comfort
Eventually, you’ll unlock Fontebrac, a lush countryside region that introduces farming and basic economic systems, with more maps like Rocemarée promised down the line. Each map feels distinct, but none are procedurally generated, meaning that once you’ve mastered a layout, it stays that way.
That said, the static world design fits the game’s “appreciate what you have” ethos. Every limitation encourages creativity within constraints, though by the fifth playthrough, you may start dreaming up expansion ideas of your own; a floating fishing village here, a mountain monastery there.
Simple Tools, Infinite Possibilities
Developer Galaxy Grove deserves credit for striking a perfect balance between creative freedom and accessibility. The building toolkit is flexible without being overwhelming, and despite a few missing quality-of-life options, like a multi-select tool, bridges, or tunnels, the foundation is remarkably solid for an early access release.
It’s a rare kind of design that welcomes both newcomers and veterans alike. And yes, they’re even adding animals soon, which somehow feels like the final piece in the cosy puzzle.
Stop and Smell the Roses
If Town to City teaches anything, it’s that satisfaction doesn’t always come from winning. As a recovering EA Sports FC 26 Ultimate Team addict, I discovered unexpected joy in arranging cobblestones, crafting mirror-still lakes, and capturing screenshots reminiscent of Wes Anderson postcards. Even the photo mode feels meditative, urging you to frame your creations just right.
And with that, I should get back, Mr Gaston and his family still need their flower garland out front.
Town to City is now available on Steam via Early Access.
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Summary
Amid the incessant stream of lucrative micro-transacting titles, Town to City’s staggering $20 price tag feels like a breath of fresh air. Coupled with the backdrop of a doom-and-gloom world, the fundamental objective of the game couldn’t ring truer: “Measure success not by gold, but by smiles.”
