Little Big Workshop is a 2019 construction and management simulation video game developed by Mirage Game Studios and published by HandyGames. The player manages a factory, planning the production and overseeing their workforce whilst dealing with disruptions from a rival CEO. It was released on Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Apple TV. Upon release, the game received positive reviews on Microsoft Windows and mixed reviews on Xbox One.
| Little Big Workshop | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Mirage Game Studios |
| Publisher(s) | HandyGames |
| Designer(s) |
|
| Programmer(s) |
|
| Artist(s) |
|
| Composer(s) |
|
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | 17 October 2019 PlayStation 4, Xbox One 24 September 2020 Nintendo Switch 1 October 2020 Stadia 6 November 2020 |
| Genre(s) | Construction and management simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editLittle Big Workshop is a construction and management simulation video game in which the player designs and manages their own factory to produce various goods.[1] The final aim is to create the most successful and efficient factory possible.[1] The player plans products via a blueprint menu where they can designate which processes are placed on what workbenches.[2] This is also where the player has to meet the certain quality levels for products, which may involve using more expensive materials.[2] The player has to manage workers to ensure they do not get overworked by using break rooms.[3][2][1] Research and development points can be unlocked by meeting certain goal thresholds.[2] These points can be used to unlock advancements like more materials, better deals with clients, specialist workers which increase efficiency on specific material processes (i.e. wood specialists increase speed of which wood processes occur), and additional tiers of production.[2] The computer-controlled CEO of Nemesis Incorporated will sometimes disrupt the player's production by manipulating the market or dispatching spies.[2]
Development and release
editLittle Big Workshop was developed by Swedish developer Mirage Game Studios and published by HandyGames.[1][4] Mirage consists of eleven developers.[5] The game was released on Windows and macOS on 17 October 2019. [6] It was released on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 24 September 2020 and on Nintendo Switch on 1 October.[1] It was also released on Google Stadia.[7]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | Windows: 77/100[8] XB1: 62/100[9] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Screen Rant |   (XB1)[1] |
| The Digital Fix | 9/10 (Win)[2] |
| Game Grin | 8/10 (Win)[3] |
Little Big Workshop received "generally favorable reviews" for Microsoft Windows and "Mixed or average reviews" for Xbox One based on eleven and six reviews, respectively.[8][9]
The Digital Fix's Dan Phillips praised the art style and Steven John Dawson from Game Grin called it "cutesy".[2] Nathan P. Gibson of Screen Rant concurred saying the graphics are "cute and colorful"[1]
Gibson praised the acoustic soundtrack as "soothing" with Dawson describing it as "chilled out".[1][3]
Gibson opined that it is a "relaxing" title for "sim fans looking for a break or consumers who want a more casual, relaxing title to sink hours into".[1] Dawson called it "A great game to get into the resource strategy genre with, and just as good for those that are au fait with the genre already."[3]
Phillips was critical of the tutorial for not providing the player with enough guidance.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i P. Gibson, Nathan (30 September 2020). "Little Big Workshop Review: A Charmingly Fun Sim". Screen Rant. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Phillips, Dan (21 October 2019). "Little Big Workshop Review". The Digital Fix. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Dawson, Steven John (24 January 2020). "Little Big Workshop Review". Game Grin. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ Lemne, Bengt (18 January 2017). "THQ Nordic opens a new studio in Sweden". Gamereactor. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ "Mirage Game Studios - Game Devs". Mirage Game Studios. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ "Little Big Workshop". GameSpot. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ "Little Big Workshop - Cute Management Simulation". HandyGames. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Little Big Workshop (PC)". Metacritic. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Little Big Workshop (Xbox One)". Metacritic. Retrieved 9 May 2022.