Thrive: Heavy Lies the Crown

The main pros of the game

• Engaging City Building and Resource Management: Players appreciate the depth of the city-building mechanics and the complexity involved in managing various resources and production chains.
• Multiplayer Option: The game allows for multiplayer gameplay, enabling cooperative or competitive play, which adds a unique layer of interaction.
• Rich Visuals and Atmosphere: The graphics and overall presentation of the game are praised, contributing to an immersive experience.
• Narrative Choices: The game includes story-driven elements with meaningful choices that can affect gameplay, enhancing replayability.
• Ambitious Concept: Players recognize the potential in combining city building with RTS combat and fantasy elements, making it an intriguing addition to the genre.

The main cons of the game

• Numerous Bugs and Glitches: Many users report game-breaking bugs, including issues with save files, units getting stuck, and unresponsive mechanics that hinder gameplay.
• Pacing and Progression Issues: The game is criticized for its slow pacing, with long wait times for resources and population growth, which can lead to a feeling of idleness.
• Poor AI and Pathfinding: Combat AI and unit pathfinding are often described as frustrating and ineffective, detracting from the strategic elements of the game.
• Lack of Clarity in Mechanics: Many players find the tutorial insufficient and the UI confusing, making it difficult to understand how various systems interact.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Improved Automation: Users desire more automation options to reduce micromanagement, especially for resource management and citizen tasks.
• Dynamic World Events: Players wish for more engaging world events or exploration rewards to make the map feel more alive and dynamic.
• Better Trade and Logistics Systems: The current trade routes and logistics are seen as clunky and unintuitive, with calls for more streamlined systems.
• Enhanced Combat Mechanics: Improvements to combat, including better AI behavior and unit commands, are frequently requested to make battles more engaging.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Users suggest various QoL enhancements, such as clearer tooltips, better inventory management, and more informative tutorials.

Conclusion

• Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown shows significant promise with its unique blend of city building, RTS elements, and narrative depth. However, it is currently marred by numerous bugs, pacing issues, and unclear mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While players appreciate the ambition and potential of the game, many recommend waiting for further updates and improvements before fully diving in.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025