Developer Pathea Games, known for their popular adventure games My Time at Portia and its sequel My Time at Sandrock, has recently launched a new game called Let’s School. This marks the team's first venture into the simulation genre, showcasing their versatility as developers. While Let’s School is a departure from their previous games, it offers an abundance of gameplay that has pleasantly surprised me during my playtime for this review. I am excited to delve into this new simulation experience and see what Pathea Games has in store for us.
In this pixel-style simulation game, you step into the shoes of a principal returning to your old school after many years away. Your mission is to restore the dilapidated school building to its former glory and create classrooms filled with eager students, all while striving to improve their grades to their highest potential. However, you must carefully manage your budget as you make improvements to the school.
As you begin the game, you have the option to choose the campaign mode, which offers two maps, or the Sandbox mode for a more open-ended experience. It is hoped that the developers will add more maps in the future, expanding the game's possibilities. The campaign mode includes a helpful tutorial that guides you through each step of running a successful educational institution.
Additionally, you have the freedom to customize your character, name your school, and even choose an emblem to represent it. As you progress, you can even design a school uniform for the students, further enhancing the game's customization options. Overall, these ample customization options are a fantastic addition to the game, allowing players to truly make their mark on their virtual school.
Let’s School's Teachers and Students
As I arrived at my new school, I was taken aback by its neglected state. The buildings were in disrepair, with crumbling walls and broken windows. However, with the help of a skilled builder, I knew that we could transform this rundown place into a vibrant learning environment. Our first task was to repair and renovate one of the buildings to create a functional classroom. Once the classroom was built, it was time to focus on enrolling students and hiring teachers.
Running a school was no small feat, but I was determined to provide the students with a well-rounded education. We would offer a range of subjects including science, art, humanities, and sports. Additionally, we would actively recruit and train passionate educators who could inspire and guide our students on their educational journey. There was much work ahead, but I was excited about the possibilities and the opportunity to create a thriving educational community.
The Important Tasks and Goals
Transitioning from a new school on the block to a state school is no easy feat. The journey is filled with milestones that keep you constantly occupied. Initially, the sheer amount of information that pops up on the screen can be overwhelming, but soon enough, you find yourself falling into a rhythm of managing the school.
However, it's not just about the logistics of running a school; you also have to pay attention to the individual needs and desires of each student. With their unique interests and aspirations, pleasing everyone becomes a complex task. As the principal, you are faced with the challenge of striking a balance and ensuring that the student's needs are met while maintaining the smooth functioning of the school.
Let's School Management
Running a school is no easy task as it requires a delicate balance between maintaining the school's reputation and ensuring the needs of all students are met. From providing essential facilities like classrooms, restrooms, and study halls to catering to recreational and academic needs such as tea rooms and sports facilities, every aspect must be carefully managed. Furthermore, it is crucial to offer the correct subjects and curriculum to ensure students pass their exams successfully.
However, the responsibility doesn't end there. Teachers play a vital role in the functioning of a school, and it is imperative to provide them with adequate training in both management and teaching subjects. Creating a conducive work environment with restrooms and a staff room is also essential. As a school administrator, overseeing academic pressure, addressing bullying, and reprimanding disruptive students are additional responsibilities.
What sets this simulation game apart is the ability to send students out to explore the surrounding area. This introduces a new layer of challenges as unforeseen dangers and potential threats may arise beyond the school grounds, requiring prompt action and decision-making.
Plenty of Customisation Options
In Let's School, the possibilities for customizing and decorating your school are endless. Not only can you construct new buildings on multiple levels, but you also have the freedom to personalize the school grounds with various ground coverings, plants, and decorations. Inside the school, you can add vibrant pictures on the walls to bring life to the classrooms.
Additionally, one unique feature is the need to place blocks of ice instead of air conditioning to maintain a cool temperature inside the school. This attention to detail and the ability to personalize every aspect of the school truly sets Let's School apart from other games. It was an enjoyable experience to explore all the customization options and make the school truly my own.
Playing Let's School is a fun experience; however, there are a couple of issues that I have noticed while playing the game. Compared to Pathea's previous release, My Time in Portia, Let's School runs smoothly on PC. However, there are still some bugs and frame rate problems, especially during intense moments in the game.
Additionally, I have come across a few translation errors in the text, where some characters have been assigned the wrong name for their gender. For example, a female student with a male name and vice versa. Despite these minor setbacks, I believe that these bugs and translation mistakes will be fixed in the near future, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
The Let’s School User Experience
Graphically, Let’s School is visually appealing with its use of vibrant colors. The game's style is enjoyable and adds to the overall experience. The soundtrack accompanying the gameplay is impressive, as it seamlessly combines different musical styles. The controls, which are operated by the keyboard and mouse, are smooth and responsive.
The user interface is well-designed, allowing players to easily find everything they need with just a few clicks. However, at times, the screen can feel a bit overwhelming due to the constant appearance of information blocks, causing some of the information to overlap and clutter the screen.
Verdict
Let's School marks Pathea Games' successful foray into the simulation genre. This school management game offers a deep and approachable experience that is highly enjoyable to play. With an abundance of content, players can indulge in endless customization options while simultaneously building up their school's reputation. Let's School is a delightful game that ensures hours of engaging gameplay for simulation enthusiasts.
