Do you love to contribute to your local resident community? This new game by indie devs Toydium isn’t making a game for you if you do, but it explores the topic through a very fascinating lense.
Rules Of Residence is a game that bills itself as a political simulation title, with a very oppressive art style, as you have the power to influence the lives of everyone living under the same one roof of an apartment building.
The game isn’t a complete open-ended sandbox, as there’s a story setup to it. In Rules Of Residence, you’re a new mother who just took a 35-year mortgage to have your dream home. And somehow, you’re elected to be one of the board members of the apartment building’s association, led by a dictatorial chairman. This is not your typical residence association with a Whatsapp group with the occasional potluck parties.
From here, the choice is yours in Rules Of Residence. The game employs tabletop RPG mechanics as you will need to juggle between various resources including residents, money, as well as your own physical and mental health. You only get one decision to do per week, and you can’t solve everyone’s issues. Events also includes dice rolls.
In a way, think of Rules Of Residence as a bit like Citizen Sleeper, if you will. Though more oppressive and unsettling in atmosphere.
A game of Rules Of Residence can end in various ways, with different endings available, based on your choices made as member of the board. Fight for your fellow residents or maintain authority?
If this game truly delivers its promise we might get to experience what politicians have to go through when elected in a broken system. It’s an incredible artistic choice in making the game feels like it’s supposed to be a survival horror game.
Rules Of Residence has no release date yet but it’s coming to PC (Steam).