The Indie Informer

“New York was the place to be at the turn of the century,” writes my would-be media mogul uncle. And while the family business might have been on the rise in his day, the enterprise is starting to crumble in the face of economic uncertainty and the mob’s interference. Taking over as his successor, I’ll need to bring the paper back from the brink of foreclosure. This is a balancing act of getting paper-selling stories, hiring and catering to employees, building up the offices, and reaching increasingly wider audiences.

Out now in Early Access, News Tower is, so far, as bustling an endeavor as the industry it features. Constant concerns, goals, and ever-looming deadlines will keep players busy as time in the real world flies by.

The pause button became my best friend the more I played because the hectic speed and breadth of my responsibilities threatened to overwhelm me on occasion. I think part of this is the tutorial, which does less guiding me through the process as popping up as I explore the games manifold menus. Thankfully, with the ability to stop time, I was able to get my footing well enough.

News Tower is nothing if not authentic. The compelling gameplay flow pushing players to find stories in time for Sunday’s publishing strikes a familiar chord. Though there are several layers on top of this goal: Employees need somewhere to go to the bathroom, after all. So, sometimes my attention gets diverted to constructing these kinds of utilities, which must be equip with sinks, mirrors, and fans to ensure comfort. Uncomfortable reporters don’t work their best and my newspaper pays the price.And everything costs money.

Which stories I go after also depends on my current goals, I pick these after Sunday’s printing. Do I want to entice readers from Wall Street by focusing on economic stories? Am I interested in getting a little cash from the mob by leaving out any news on politics that week? That’s up to me. But as I gain more readers, besides earning more money, I discover new areas to influence. These can unlock opportunities to jazz up my offices to make my employees even more dedicated.

Developer Sparrow Night plans on keeping News Tower in Early Access for a a year. So, I look forward to seeing the game grow more streamlined and incorporate even more news to conquer.