Two Point Museum
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Two Point Museum
| image = File:Two Point Museum cover art.jpg
| developer = Two Point Studios
| publisher = Sega
| director = Ben Huskins
| producer = Jo Koehler
| artist =
| programmer = Ben Hymers, Ben Perry
| writer =
| composer =
| engine = Unity
| designer = Luke Finlay-Maxwell
| genre = Business simulation
| released = 4 March 2025
| platforms = {{ubl|Microsoft Windows|macOS|Linux|PlayStation 5|Xbox Series X/S|Nintendo Switch 2}}
| modes = Single-player
}}
Two Point Museum is a business simulation video game developed by Two Point Studios and published by Sega. It is the sequel to Two Point Hospital (2018) and Two Point Campus (2022). The game was released for Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S on 4 March 2025.
Gameplay
Similar to its predecessors, Two Point Museum is a business simulation game. In the game, the player assumes the role of a museum manager who must design a museum, build up its collection of exhibits, and ensure its smooth operations. Unlike previous games in the series requiring players to build specific rooms, Two Point Museum allows players to build partition walls, providing them with more flexibility. The player's goals are to generate cash and educate guests. A well-decorated and well-explained exhibit will generate Buzz, thus encouraging guests to donate to the museum. Players also need to build amenities such as gift shops, restrooms, cafeterias and staff rooms to keep both staff members and guests content. Players can also build workshops for displaying interactive exhibits.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/two-point-museum-turns-a-fresh-slice-of-mundane-life-into-a-wacky-british-adventure|title=Two Point Museum turns a fresh slice of mundane life into a wacky British adventure|first=Ed|last=Nightingale|work=Eurogamer|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=14 August 2024}} There are various types of visitors, each of whom has their own preferences for exhibits. Exhibits can be analyzed to unlock more knowledge, allowing information stands to educate visitors more effectively. Guided tours can be organized to ensure the demands of visitors are met. By catering to the needs of all visitors, the museum will receive more donations and receive strong reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/08/two-point-museum-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc|title=Two Point Museum announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC|first=Sal|last=Romano|work=Gematsu|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=14 August 2024}}
Players need to recruit assistants for running the ticketing office and shops, security guards for maintaining order in the museum, deterring thieves and mischievous children from vandalizing the exhibits, and emptying the donation boxes, and custodians for keeping the museum clean.{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/140964/two-point-museum-preview|title=Two Point Museum is bringing the studio's silliness to the business of history & wonders|first=TJ|last=Denzer|work=Shacknews|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=14 August 2024}} Experts are also needed for maintaining the quality of each exhibits. They can also be dispatched to locations around the world to collect valuable artifacts. Each expedition unlocks a new artifact, which is revealed to the player when they are brought to the museum. Some exhibits, such as dinosaur fossils, may require players to complete multiple expeditions before they are fully completed. However, some expeditions are dangerous to experts. They may be injured, or may disappear permanently. There are multiple museum themes, each with subcategories of exhibits. For instance, the prehistoric theme's frozen exhibits must be kept refrigerated.
As players progress in the game, their museum's ratings will improve. Unlike Hospital and Campus, which utilizes a three-star reward system, Museum utilizes an endless star scoring system encouraging players to expand their museums with new exhibits and themes.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/adventure/two-point-museum-is-packed-with-customization-discovery-and-playful-charm-we-want-these-museums-to-have-a-lot-more-depth-to-them/|title=Two Point Museum is packed with customization, discovery, and playful charm: "we want these museums to have a lot more depth to them"|first=Heather|last=Wald|work=GamesRadar|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=14 August 2024}} An artifact, once discovered, can be used in multiple museums. Locations are gradually unlocked as players complete various gameplay objectives, some of which are shared across museums.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/hands-on-preview-two-point-museum/|title=Hands-on Preview: Two Point Museum|first=Zoey|last=Handley|work=Destructoid|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=14 August 2024}}
Development
Two Point Museum is the third game to be developed by British developer Two Point Studios. The idea for building a museum simulation game stemmed from Two Point's cofounder and technical director Ben Hymers. Museum was chosen as the game's main setting because the team was "immediately drawn to" the idea of collecting and curating artifacts, and enables players to have the creative freedom to build spaces that can inspire awe for visitors. As a result, the game also features significantly expanded building and customization tools. As with previous games in the series, Two Point Museum has a wacky tone, and Two Point included both exhibits that are grounded in reality, and those that are more outlandish, such as a frozen caveman who will come alive if the ice melts. Design director Ben Huskin added that the team ensured that none of the artefacts in the game had relations to real civilizations around the world, though they may reference real-world history in a "tongue-in-cheek" way.{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/140974/two-point-museum-interview|title=Two Point Museum devs on the setting, lessons from Campus & post-launch plans|first=TJ|last=Denzer|work=Shacknews|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=14 August 2024}}
The team also significantly changed the progression system. As players had to excavate individual artifacts for their museums instead of purchasing them from the market, the team wanted players to spend a longer time creating each museum, encouraging them to change and modify their layout and slowly expanding it. Mission objectives were also redesigned with the endless star scoring system, and progression is often shared across museum in an effort to keep players engaged with each museum they have built. According to lead designer Luke Finlay-Maxwell, each exhibit subcategory also has their own unique gameplay mechanics so that players are persistently faced with "new and interesting' challenges as they progress. Expeditions are introduced to add a new layer of strategy, as players have to manage manpower for each expedition, ensure their success, and resolve the negative consequences associated with each expeidition.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/pray-the-kids-don-t-kick-over-your-priceless-t-rex-exhibit-in-two-point-musuem-an-upcoming-new-addition-to-the-two-point-universe/|title=Pray the kids don't kick over your priceless T-Rex exhibit in Two Point Museum, an upcoming new addition to the Two Point universe|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=PC Gamer|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=14 August 2024}}
Two Point Museum was announced in August 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/two-point-museum-will-let-you-make-indiana-jones-proud/1100-6525791/|title=Two Point Museum Will Let You Make Indiana Jones Proud|first=Luis|last=Joshua Gutierrez|date=14 August 2024|accessdate=14 August 2024|work=GameSpot}} The game was released for Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S on 4 March 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/two-point-museum-opens-for-visitors-next-march|title=Two Point Museum opens for visitors next March|first=Ed|last=Nightingale|work=Eurogamer|date=19 September 2024|accessdate=19 September 2024}} It is also set to be released for the Nintendo Switch 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/550282/games-list-exclusive-titles-all|title=All Nintendo Switch 2 games announced so far, including exclusive games|first=Matthew|last=Reynalds|work=Polygon|date=April 2, 2025|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = {{abbr|PS5|PlayStation 5}}: 83/100{{Cite web |title=Two Point Museum (PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/two-point-museum/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |access-date=1 April 2025 |website=Metacritic}}
{{abbr|Win|Windows}}: 85/100{{Cite web |title=Two Point Museum (PC Critic Reviews) |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/two-point-museum/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=1 April 2025 |website=Metacritic}}
| OC = 92% recommend{{Cite web |title=Two Point Museum Reviews |url=https://opencritic.com/game/17484/two-point-museum |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=OpenCritic}}
| EuroG = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Donlan |first=Christian |date=25 February 2025 |title=Two Point Museum review |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/two-point-museum-review |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=Eurogamer}}
| GRadar = 4.5/5{{Cite web |last=Wald |first=Heather |date=25 February 2025 |title=Two Point Museum review: "The best management sim from Two Point Studios to date" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/simulation/two-point-museum-review/ |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=GamesRadar+}}
| IGN = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Hafer |first=Leana |date=25 February 2025 |title=Two Point Museum Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/two-point-museum-review |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=IGN}}
| PCGUS = 85/100{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Mollie |date=25 February 2025 |title=Two Point Museum review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/sim/two-point-museum-review/ |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=PC Gamer}}
| PCGN = 8/10{{Cite web |last=Down |first=Aaron |date=25 February 2025 |title=This mighty, moreish museum management game let me relive my heritage heyday |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/two-point-museum/review |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=PCGamesN}}
| PSQ = 7/10{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Sammy |date=25 February 2025 |title=Review: Two Point Museum (PS5) — Laugh Out Loud Tycoon Title Is Well Worth the Entry Fee |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/two-point-museum |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=Push Square}}
| SN = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Denzer |first=TJ |date=25 February 2025 |title=Two Point Museum review: The silly side of archaeological administration |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/143212/two-point-museum-review-score |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=Shacknews}}
| TR = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Thwaites |first=Sarah |date=25 February 2025 |title=I became businessperson of the year in cutesy management sim Two Point Museum and delighted in its distinctly British humour |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/two-point-museum-review |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=TechRadar}}
| VGC = 4/5{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=25 February 2025 |title=Two Point Museum review |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/two-point-museum-review/ |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=Video Games Chronicle}}
}}
Two Point Museum received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic. OpenCritic determined that 92% of critics recommended the game.{{clear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.twopointstudios.com/games/two-point-museum/}}
{{Two Point Studios}}
Category:Business simulation games
Category:Nintendo Switch 2 games
Category:Two Point Studios games
Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games
Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom