{{short description|2021 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox video game | title = Townscaper | image = Townscaper cover.jpg | alt = | caption = | developer = Oskar Stålberg | publisher = Oskar Stålberg | series = | engine = | platforms = {{unbulleted list|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[macOS]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]|[[Web browser|Web]]}} | released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Windows''', '''macOS''', '''Switch'''|August 26, 2021|'''iOS''', '''Android'''|October 20, 2021|'''Xbox One''', '''Xbox Series X/S''', '''Web'''|December 1, 2021}} | genre = [[City-building game]] | modes = Single-Player | director = | producer = | designer = | programmer = | artist = | writer = | composer = }}
'''''Townscaper''''' is a [[City-building game|city builder]] game by Oskar Stålberg. It was released for Windows and Mac in August 2021. A port to the [[Nintendo Switch]] was released in August 2021 when the Steam version left [[early access]].<ref name="rps">{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Graham |date=27 August 2021 |title=Cute town building toy Townscaper has left early access |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/cute-town-building-toy-townscaper-has-left-early-access |accessdate=30 August 2021 |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=2021-08-26 |title=Townscaper Is Out Now On Switch eShop |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/08/townscaper_is_out_now_on_switch_eshop |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> The mobile version was released in October 2021.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Townscaper Coming to Android and iOS October 20 |date=2021-09-21 |publisher=GamePress |url=https://www.gamespress.com/Townscaper-Coming-to-Android-and-iOS-October-20 |access-date=2022-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Aaron |date=2021-09-22 |title=Townscaper heading to iOS and Android on 20 October |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/77239/townscaper-heading-to-ios-and-android/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=PocketGamer}}</ref> It was later ported to [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]], and [[web browser]]s (as a demo) in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-12-01 |title=The beautiful Townscaper is now available to try in your browser |first=Tom|last=Phillips|language=en-gb |work=[[Eurogamer]] |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-beautiful-townscaper-is-now-available-to-try-in-your-browser |access-date=2022-06-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/townscaper-xbox-game-pass-new-addition|date=2021-12-02|access-date=2022-11-29|title=Townscaper is the latest surprise addition to Xbox Game Pass|first=Dom|last=Peppiatt|website=[[VG247]] |language=en}}</ref> It features [[low poly]] graphics and a simple, minimalist [[user interface]].
==Gameplay== ''Townscaper'' has no inherent objective or story and has been described by developer Stålberg as "more of a toy" than a game.<ref name=cnet>{{cite web |title=A game for our times: Townscaper |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/a-game-for-our-times-townscaper/ |first=Geoffrey|last=Morrison|website=[[CNET]] |date=17 July 2020|accessdate=20 July 2020}}</ref> Users construct an island town by placing and removing colored blocks on a calm body of endless water. Various "rules" dictate these blocks' appearances, with some appearing as [[spire]]s and others as [[balcony|balconies]]. This method of rule-based decoration allows [[arch]]es, [[garden]]s, and [[stairways]] to be created without specific user instruction.<ref name=pcgamer >{{cite web |title=Lovely town-building toy Townscaper is out in early access |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/07/01/lovely-town-building-toy-townscaper-is-out-in-early-access/ |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|first=Alice|last=O'Connor|date=1 July 2020|accessdate=20 July 2020}}</ref>
==Setting== ''Townscaper'' takes place on a large distorted grid set in an infinite sea.<ref name=cnet /> This allows for towns that feel more organic and unstructured when compared to similar games that are based on [[regular grid]]s.
==Development== ''Townscaper'' was developed by Swedish<ref>{{cite web |title=Oskar Stålberg |url=https://twitter.com/OskSta |website=Twitter |accessdate=21 July 2020}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=May 2023}} developer Oskar Stålberg, who previously worked on ''[[Bad North]]''. Stålberg gave a talk at the ''IndieCade Europe 2019'' event during development, showcasing some of the game's features, including terrain generation and procedural building design.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hqt8JkYRdI |title=Organic Towns from Square Tiles - a talk by Oskar Stålberg at Indiecade Europe 2019 |date=2020-03-17 |publisher=IndieCade Europe |access-date=29 July 2020 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=December 2022}}
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = NS: 63/100<ref name="metacriticns">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/townscaper/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Townscaper for Switch Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref><br />PC: 86/100<ref name="metacriticpc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/townscaper/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Townscaper for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref> | TA = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2021/10/20/townscaper-mobile-review-iphone-android-ipad-icloud-controller-support-raw-fury/ |title='Townscaper' iOS Review – Relaxing Brilliance |last=Madnani |first=Mikhail |date=20 October 2021 |website=[[TouchArcade]] |access-date=25 October 2021}}</ref> | PCGUS = 80/100<ref name="pcg"/> | EuroG = Recommended<ref name="eg"/> }}
The PC edition of ''Townscaper'' received a critic score of 86% according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]], indicating generally favorable reviews.<ref name="metacriticpc" /> The Nintendo Switch edition received a score of 63%, indicating a mixed or average reception.<ref name="metacriticns" />
Natalie Clayton of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' wrote: "''Townscaper'' may not have the complexity of a Cities: Skylines, but its quaint towns littered with cobbled streets and old churches, dockyards and lighthouses feel more instantly homely than the sterile American-styled metropolises of "real" city-builders."<ref name="pcg">{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/townscaper-review/|title=Townscaper review - A pleasant toy for building your own idyllic seaside getaways.|first=Natalie|last=Clayton|date=27 August 2021|website=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref>
Christian Donlan of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' wrote: "[...] but met on its own terms, diving in when you've a few spare minutes to lay down a new neighbourhood, ''Townscaper'' is an absolutely joyous little time waster that's kept me busy since it first hit early access last year (opens in new tab). Now that it's out for real, I don't doubt it'll keep popping back in for a quick vacation for many months to come."<ref name="eg">{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/townscaper-review-a-city-builder-without-rules|title=Townscaper review - a city-builder without rules|first=Christian|last=Donlan|date=2 September 2021|website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>
Tilly Lawton of ''Pocket Tactics'' wrote: "''Townscaper'' serves up a gorgeous, illustrative art style, serene sound design, and a simple concept that’s sure to put you at ease."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pockettactics.com/townscaper/review|title=Townscaper review – a tincture of pure tranquillity|first=Tilly|last=Lawton|date=8 September 2021|website=Pocket Tactics}}</ref>
== See also == * ''[[Islanders (video game)|Islanders]]'', a minimalist city-builder released in 2019
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website}}
[[Category:2021 video games]] [[Category:Browser games]] [[Category:City-building games]] [[Category:Early access video games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:Non-games]] [[Category:Raw Fury games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Sweden]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox Cloud Gaming games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]] [[Category:Video games with low poly graphics]]