Real Estate Empire Review

Real Estate Empire Review

Review by Dylan

Real Estate Empire is a realistic property development game that will teach you about buying, selling, and fixing up houses.

Choosing Professions Gives You Advantages and Disadvantages

As the game begins you are offered a choice of character and profession. The jobs range from contractor to investor to real estate agent. The titles offer different perks but all come with a few drawbacks. For instance the real estate agent can typically get the most profit from a house; however, the agent pays the most for home repairs. The contractor, on the other hand, pays the least for repairs but does not always get the most money for his properties. This aspect of weighing costs and benefits seen in the profession selection is seen throughout the game. While playing you are constantly placed in situations that require you to weight out advantages and disadvantages.

Basic Game Concept - Buy, Fix Up, Sell

Once you pick your profession the game starts. You play against 4 computer players and compete for properties as well as total assets. The game's time limit is based on months. During the month you can buy, sell, and fix-up properties. At the end of the month you collect your profession's salary and pay all bills. If for some reason you cannot pay a bill one month, the game has a credit option. You are able to buy on credit if you have a slow month or two.

Market Forces Influence your Choices

One important part of the game is being aware of the Market and Economy. There is a tool bar that shows the status of the economy. This is where the weighing out advantages and disadvantages comes back into play. It is important to make educated “weighed out” decisions based on how well the economy is doing. You may want to buy more houses in the winter months when the mortgage is low so you can resell them in the summer. These decisions can be tough, but are crucial parts of the game. To be successful, an awareness of the market and economy is especially important.  As the months in the game progress your ability to buy houses will also progress. Start small and grow slowly in order to make the most money and avoid foreclosure.

Easy to Learn

As far as gameplay is concerned, Real Estate Empire is very simple. The graphics aren't amazing and most of the game's actions are conveyed through messages and text. That being said the game is very fluid and entertaining. The simplicity adds to the game because it doesn't detract from the purpose of buying and selling homes for profit.

Challenging to Make a Profit

One major annoyance of the game is the difficulties you may face try to buy and sell at a profit. Many times it feels as if you are getting the worst deal. If you try to purchase a home with a low asking price you typically get denied, and if you try to sell at a high price, the offers you get are insultingly low. Also the game doesn't have a difficulty setting. This makes the game very competitive from the start and it is difficult to be successful in your first game.

Conclusion - Simple But Strategic

All in all Real Estate Empire is a great simulation game about property development. The gameplay remains simple, yet the concepts and strategies can be complex. This game is challenging, realistic, and addresses many issues surrounding real estate, like the market and buying on credit. If you are interested in real estate development or challenging simulation games, Real Estate Empire is a game for you.