Townscaper

{{Infobox video game

| title = Townscaper

| image = Townscaper cover.jpg

| alt =

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| developer = Oskar Stålberg

| publisher = Oskar Stålberg

| series =

| engine =

| platforms = {{unbulleted list|Microsoft Windows|macOS|Nintendo Switch|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|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 =

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}}

Townscaper is a 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.{{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}}{{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}} The mobile version was released in October 2021.{{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}}{{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}} It was later ported to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and web browsers (as a demo) in December 2021.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} Users construct an island town by placing and removing colored blocks on an ocean. Various "rules" dictate these blocks' appearances, with some appearing as spires and others as balconies. This method of rule-based decoration allows arches, gardens, and stairways to be created without specific user instruction.{{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}}

Setting

Townscaper takes place on a large distorted grid set in an infinite sea. This allows for towns that feel more organic and unstructured when compared to similar games that are based on regular grids.

Development

Townscaper was developed by Swedish{{cite web |title=Oskar Stålberg |url=https://twitter.com/OskSta |website=Twitter |accessdate=21 July 2020}}{{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.{{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}}{{unreliable source?|date=December 2022}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| MC = NS: 63/100{{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}}
PC: 86/100{{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}}

| TA = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{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}}

}}

The PC edition of Townscaper received a critic score of 86% according to review aggregator Metacritic, indicating generally favorable reviews. The Nintendo Switch edition received a score of 63%, indicating a mixed or average reception.

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."{{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}}

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."{{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}}

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."{{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}}