Project Highrise
A 2D tower-building sim and spiritual successor to SimTower.
Project Highrise is a two-dimensional simulation game where players act as the manager of a high-rise building. They must construct and maintain the tower by adding offices, apartments, shops, and restaurants, while also providing utilities and specialized services to keep tenants and residents satisfied. The game is widely regarded as the spiritual successor to SimTower. Developed by SomaSim and published by Kasedo Games, it was released globally on September 8, 2016, via online digital distribution platforms. The game received generally positive reviews and has five downloadable content packs that added new features and content.
On Metacritic, Project Highrise holds a score of 73 out of 100. IGN gave it a 7 out of 10, while IGN Germany rated it 8 out of 10. IGN praised the game for its welcoming, fast-paced simplicity, which allows players to quickly and easily build a smooth, self-sufficient system from scratch. Rock, Paper, Shotgun noted that the game’s biggest achievement is allowing players to easily understand what is happening despite its deep complexity. However, critics also pointed out a lack of personality due to the artistic style and color palette, with rooms looking too similar, making larger skyscrapers appear monotonous.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Project Highrise
- Developer
- SomaSim
- Publisher
- Kasedo Games / (PC) · Kalypso Media
- Platforms
- Windows · OS X · Android · iOS · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One
- Producer
- Andrew McKerrow
- Designer
- Matthew Viglione
- Programmer
- Robert Zubek
- Artist
- Eddie Einikis · Kevin Paskowski
- Composer
- Brian Block
- Modes
- Single-player
- Genre
- City-building
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Project Highrise was developed by SomaSim and published by Kasedo Games, releasing worldwide on September 8, 2016, through online digital distribution platforms. The game has spawned five DLC packs that added additional gameplay features and content. Players take on the role of a high-rise manager responsible for building and maintaining a tower block, filling it with offices, apartments, shops, and restaurants, which they support with utilities while providing specialized services and fulfilling conditions to keep residents and tenants satisfied.
Reader's Guide
Project Highrise received generally positive reviews, with a Metacritic score of 73/100. IGN gave it a 7 out of 10, while IGN Germany awarded an 8 out of 10. IGN praised the game for its ability to quickly and easily craft a smooth, self-sufficient system from the ground up, citing a welcoming and fast-paced simplicity. Rock, Paper, Shotgun called the player's ability to easily understand what was going on, despite deep levels of complexity, the game's biggest achievement. However, the game was also criticized for its lack of personality due to its artistic style and color palette, with each room looking too similar, causing larger skyscrapers to appear monotonous. Its significance lies in its role as a spiritual successor to SimTower, offering a modern take on the tower-building genre with accessible yet deep management mechanics.
Did You Know?
- Project Highrise is considered by many to be the spiritual successor to SimTower.
- The game was released worldwide on September 8, 2016.
- Rock, Paper, Shotgun called the player's ability to easily understand complex systems the game's biggest achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Project Highrise?
Project Highrise is a two-dimensional simulation game in which you step into the role of a building manager, designing and maintaining a high-rise tower by placing offices, apartments, shops, and restaurants while keeping utilities and specialized services running for your tenants. It was developed by SomaSim and published by Kasedo Games.
Who developed and published Project Highrise?
SomaSim created the game, while Kasedo Games handled its publishing and global digital distribution.
When was Project Highrise released?
It launched worldwide on September 8, 2016, and is available exclusively through online digital distribution platforms.
Is Project Highrise an official sequel to SimTower?
No, it is not a direct sequel, but the community and press widely regard it as the spiritual successor to SimTower, carrying forward the same core concept of managing a tall building floor by floor.
How well was Project Highrise received by critics?
The title earned generally positive reviews, scoring 73 out of 100 on Metacritic and 7 out of 10 from IGN, and its post-launch support has included five downloadable content packs.
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