Mini Metro Review (Uman Bean)
Mini Metro is a very minimalist train station sim that appears relaxing on the surface (and it may be for some), but it can actually get quite overwhelming. This is a good thing because it means that the game keeps you engaged and constantly looking for ways to optimize your train lines to delivery as many passengers as possible before you lose. So how does this game work? In order to progress you have to connect train stations to ensure passengers reach their particular destination. The stations continue to spawn in as the map slowly pans out, leaving you with a larger network to handle. Each station comes in a variety of shapes; the challenge is that you must deliver passengers assigned to stations of the various shapes. So if your circle station has a tiny star waiting there then you'll have to either connect that line to a star station or link it to another line that runs through the appropriate type. You are given a set amount of train lines, trains, train cars, bridges/tunnels to cross rivers and finally interchanges which improve station capacity. At the beginning of each week you can pick 2 of these out of a possible 4 options. If too many passengers have to wait at a station for a certain amount of time before a train can decongest it, then the round ends. A lot of the fun of the game comes from trying to beat your high-scores on the game's various maps. Mini-Metro's music is difficult to describe, I'd consider it ambient chimes that dynamically play based on how close you are to losing. I really enjoy dynamic soundtracks like this that build and become more frenetic as the player gets closer to the end. Overall Mini-Metro is an enjoyable experience given you know what kind of game you're getting into; from the superb management gameplay to the music to the maps and finally the stats, this game is sure to keep you occupied building your Mini-Metro.