Summary
Two Point Museumis the brilliantly executed and delightfully playful new installment in theTwo Pointseries. The Two Point series emerged as a shining example of what modern business management games can be. The series takes a premise that has been used and abused by any number of asset-flipping games and gives it a new lease on life.
Two Point Hospitalis the original and belovedTwo Pointexperience. The next installment,Two Point Campus, was great but ended up being more of the same. This led many to wonder if the developer, Two Point Studios, would be able to recapture the magic of the original. But withTwo Point Museum, Two Point Studios have exceeded themselves. Not only does it capitalize on what makes the series great, it also reinvents the tired attraction tycoon mechanics of nostalgia-inducing games likeRollercoaster Tycoon.Two Point Museumimproves on the previous games in several key ways.
Two Point Museumwas played with the Explorer Upgrade Pack DLC for this article.
1Difficulty Curve
Catering To Veterans And Newbies
Two Point Museumhas an excellent guided campaign mode that is welcoming to new players without patronizing series veterans. It improves on the previousTwo Pointformula through its accessibility and intuitiveness. The player can jump ahead of thetutorialsections, which are signposted with non-invasive goals and the occasional interjection from museum staff. There is no forcing the player to complete tasks in a certain order after the basics have been established, so there is plenty of room to explore the features independently.
The difficulty curve is flexible. Players can get away with doing the bare minimum and playTwo Point Museumas a relaxed management sim, but those who love to get bogged down in the minutia of charts and management interfaces can also micromanage to an incredible degree.
2Lowering the Stakes
Two Point Museum Takes A Cozy Turn
Two Point Museumallows players to engage in business management in a more relaxed way. There is a lot of responsibility in running a school, not to mention a full-blown hospital, so the move toward customer satisfaction and away from welfare is a welcome change. That’s not to say thatTwo Point HospitalandTwo Point Campus' goofy attitude to serious tasks isn’t an amazing take on the business management simulator genre.
Two Point Museumis thecoziestinstallment in the series to date. There isn’t that feeling of overwhelm that sets in when patients start dying or suffering due to lack of treatment. However, there are exhibits like fish and plants whose welfare needs management, and staff well-being needs to be maintained.
3Themes and Specialties
A Museum Is Perfect For The Two Point Treatment
While some of the theming ofTwo Point Hospital andTwo Point Campuscan seem a little shoehorned in at times, the museum format is so perfect for theTwo Pointtreatment that it seems obvious in hindsight. There are still the ridiculous puns, and the absurdity of the exhibits continues to ramp up as the game progresses.
The different themes of the museums the players curate are distinct, and each allows the player to find creative solutions to solve the wants and needs of patrons. As players unlock new gameplay mechanics, they are able to merge themes to create some wonderfully strange and eclectic museums.
4Expeditions
Questing For Treasures
The gameplay variety inTwo Point Museumis greater than that of previous games. The expedition mechanic adds a whole new and interesting dimension to the game. It adds an element of planning and unpredictability to exhibition curation. Rather than purchasing exhibitions, they must be procured from their habitats in a very neocolonialist fashion.
Each museum has its own locations for exploration and employees can come back with all kinds of strange injuries and illnesses, including meteor mites andpossession. As with the previous installments, elements are unlocked through training, and an expert trained in particular skills will be needed to complete more difficult expeditions.
5Creating Buzz
Analysis And Exhibitions
Like the “reputation” and “excitement” functions in other public attraction-based tycoons, “buzz” inTwo Point Museumdetermines how much an exhibit appeals to the public. The process of creating “buzz” is different for each kind of exhibit and there are simple ways to meet the requirements, such as buying a particular decoration or rearranging exhibits.
While the campaign requires players to develop an understanding of “buzz,” it isn’t 100% essential to the gameplay in the long term for every exhibit. It is one of those extra management features that will appeal to those who love tweaking and optimizing their museum.
6Ease Of Navigation
User Interface And Management Tools
Two Point Studios takes the user interface formula they used for previous games and have almost perfected it inTwo Point Museum. All the important information is front and center, with the basic surface level management tools easy to access. The menus are designed so that those who want to pick over the extra data can do so, without overwhelming the casual player.
The analytical tools for trends are easy to use, and there are multiple functions such as negotiating staff pay and identifying losses, which have been streamlined. As with all theTwo Pointgames, it can be a little tricky to get to grips with where every function is located, but by the time players have completed the first star in their prehistoric museum, they’ll have a pretty solid grasp on everything.
