Item: Game Dev Story+
Rating: 95
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

95/100

Game Dev Story+ is a masterclass in mobile simulation design. I originally played this game years ago, and returning to it on Apple Arcade reminded me exactly why it consumed so many hours of my life. The core gameplay loop—conceptualizing a game, watching the development bars fill up, nervously awaiting the critics' reviews, and then seeing the sales numbers roll in—is incredibly addictive and satisfying.

The charm of Kairosoft's pixel art is undeniable. Watching your little employees furiously type away at their desks, occasionally bursting into flames when they hit a 'productivity boost,' never gets old. The game is packed with hilarious homages to real-world consoles and game companies, making it a love letter to the industry itself. Figuring out which genre combinations work best (and which ones tank catastrophically) is a fun puzzle in its own right.

There are no intrusive microtransactions to ruin the pacing, which was the original game's strongest asset and remains true here. It's a pure, premium management simulation that is accessible enough for newcomers but deep enough to keep you playing until 3 AM because you just need to release 'one more game.' Absolute perfection.

Reviewed on: Wed Apr 12 2023

Dinsun Review

Kairosoft has been recycling this engine for a decade, and while the paint is getting thin, the underlying structure is still sound. Game Dev Story+ is a simplified take on the business of making games, but it manages to be incredibly addictive. You’ll find yourself obsessed with hitting that 10/10 review score from the 'Global Game' critic, much like I am with this review. The pixel art is nostalgic, and the loop of hiring and firing staff is satisfying in a cold, corporate way.

However, let’s not pretend this is a deep simulation. It’s a numbers game. Once you figure out the optimal genre pairings—like RPG and Fantasy—the challenge evaporates faster than a developer's promises at E3. It’s a good time-sink, but it feels like a relic of 2010. I appreciate the lack of in-app purchases in this Arcade version, as the original was plagued by them. It’s the best way to play a classic, even if that classic is starting to show its age.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Incredibly addictive core loop
Charming retro aesthetic
No microtransactions (Arcade version)

Repetitive after the first few playthroughs
Limited depth in later stages
UI feels a bit cramped on phones

Technical Report

Performance: Runs flawlessly; quick save-load times.

Accessibility:

Simple touch-only controls
Visual cues for staff energy

Audience Fit

Buy if: You enjoy management sims and 'number-go-up' style progression.

Skip if: You need high-fidelity graphics or complex economic simulations.

Similar Games:

Game Dev Tycoon
Mad Games Tycoon

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40, Hardcore Conservative Gamer
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 30 hours
Status: Reached year 20 with 5 Game of the Year awards

Game Dev Story+ puts you in the CEO's chair of a budding video game development studio. Your goal is to navigate the turbulent waters of the gaming industry by hiring programmers, artists, and sound engineers, and combining different genres and subjects to create best-selling titles. As your company grows, you can upgrade your office, buy licenses for new consoles, and even develop your own hardware. This classic simulation game is renowned for its addictive gameplay loop, charming pixel art, and humorous nods to real-world gaming history, now presented completely free of ads.