I have never been a huge fan of incremental clicker games, aside from having something to do at boring meetings that still keeps my eyes on the person talking. However, something about the cozy retro look of Hearth and Hamlet caught my interest, and I am very happy it did, since it gave me a very pleasing experience. If you think you know what to expect from the genre, this title manages to elevate the formula into something special.
From Humble Beginnings to a Bustling Medieval Metropolis
As with most games in the genre, it all starts with something small, a campfire and the means of clicking, this time to get you wood. But soon, you can get villagers to cut the wood for you, and more buildings are unlocked. Pretty fast, you have a couple of more resources to manage and a lot more villagers to help you out. Seeing your camp grow pretty big within the first 30 minutes of playing really helped me get hooked right from the start.
After the initial startup, Hearth and Hamlet became more of an idle game I had when possible, because I really wanted my camp to become this big glorious medieval city. And it certainly did, long before even a small thought of getting bored appeared, which I cannot really say of many of its competitors.
Much of the opening appeal for me was the cozy retro visuals with lush forests and buildings that brought back a lot of nostalgia. Making my camp grow into a city was an absolute visual treat. Having the computer on with the game running felt like the best screensaver ever, a great backdrop which I could interact with whenever I had a minute to spare.
Deeper Base-Building and Rewarding Progression
Beyond the aesthetics, what really drew me in was the base-building itself. In the beginning, creating a building unlocks more structures, and upgrading them gives you more choices. Furthermore, all buildings have their own research tree. Finding my own way forward,focusing on the structures I thought generated the best materials for my personal playstyle, just felt really good.
Upgrading your center is what brings the big changes in the look of your town, and it is also the one big milestone to continuously strive for. Additionally, there is a story to follow which brings with it quests that push you forward with the necessities and bring a wonderful sense of focus to the game that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Conclusion
Being an incremental clicker, you pretty much know what you get with Hearth and Hamlet. If you enjoy those kinds of games, this is a very good one. If you cannot stand clickers or idle games, you should probably look elsewhere. But if you enjoy the visuals and like having something around you can tinker with at times, definitely try it out. It is a fun ride all the way until the end.
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