The Tenants

[h2]The One That Got Away[/h2] You ever have a game you were excited for, followed the journey from the beginning and expected great things, only to realize the developers may have run off to a deserted island, never to return? Well, welcome to The Tenants, a landlord sim that had all the potential in the world during early access until Ancient Forge seemingly put it on their “things we’re totally going to get back to” list and never looked at it again once it made its official release. Let’s start with the fact that it’s been over a year with zero updates, bug fixes, or even a cheeky apology post. At this point, I’d settle for a smoke signal or a carrier pigeon just to confirm they still exist. Meanwhile, the game remains a glorious mess: lag, random freezes, UI bugs, and gameplay glitches that somehow got worse after early access. We were promised new content and DLC, and what did we get? A small content pack with pet-themed furniture items. Did I want a bunch of toilet roll holders in various animal shapes that didn't match any of the other bathroom furniture? No. But apparently, that’s the only thing the devs thought we needed. One thing the game does have going for it is its poly art style, which gives everything a crisp, charming look. Unfortunately, that charm doesn’t extend to the world itself. Despite the car and pedestrian loops, the environment feels lifeless, as if everything is just going through the motions rather than existing in a living, breathing space. There’s no real sense of immersion, despite there being other homes, restaurants, parks, etc., making the world feel oddly empty. Just because this is a casual sim doesn’t mean it has to lack meaning. Other games in the genre manage to create a sense of place, personality, and vibrancy, but here, it feels like a missed opportunity. It's not fun when the only glimpse you have of the world interacting with you and your choices is confined to the small space of the apartment you're in. And let’s talk about the information loop fiasco after each of the few additional updates we did receive. Like new players unknowingly getting stuck in tutorial purgatory, desperately trying to get the shower, fridge, and toilet to function, except nobody told them these objects need to be within the range of their respective outlets. Why? Because the tutorial was never updated to reflect this new feature, and players at that stage don’t even have the option to modify outlets anyway. Truly, a masterclass in game design oversight. This issue persists as new elements seemingly get introduced out of nowhere during gameplay progression. [h2]Final Verdict:[/h2] This game was fantastic during early access and I loved every hour I played. Now? It feels like the developers pulled off the ol’ cash grab and vanish routine. The games they released after the fact seem to be in the same boat as they're all terribly reviewed and abandoned. If they had been upfront about their intention to release it, take the money, and run, I might have at least respected the honesty. Instead, we got empty promises and a collective ghosting worthy of an ex who refuses to text back. Would I recommend it? Only if you enjoy playing abandoned projects while hoping for updates that will never come. They are gearing up to release their 5th game after repeating this behavior with 4 other titles. I'm not sure how they still have a fan base or are allowed to sell on Steam.

I bought the game full price, big regret. Please if you see this review because the game is on sale, do NOT give this dead game any of your money. Abandoned us like every other game with a little potential. Haven't touched the game in a very, very long time, just like the devs ;)

Might have played an hour or two *checks notes* or 2,176. Can be a little repetitive but if you are looking for something that doesn't require much thought it can be fun. I keep ending up with renters struggling with substance abuse. And I do get tired of decorating the same places over and over but over all it's a quick to pick up mostly cozy game. Never have any issues with game play itself and mechanics are easy to pick up.

A good game, but unfortunately, you can only really spend about 5-10 hours in it. I was hoping it would unlock more mechanics later on — but nope. The gameplay loop is basically this: Do a bunch of renovations → buy an apartment → do a bunch of renovations → fix up that apartment → do even more renovations → buy another apartment → unlock a new region → do even *more* renovations → buy apartments in the new region → sell the old ones because the new region pays better → do even more renovations → DO EVEN MORE FREAKING RENOVATIONS → DO. EVEN. MORE. FREAKING. RENOVATIONS. And so it goes… for about 15 hours.

Game has a lot of potential, but it's currently abandoned by the publishers. It's not 100%able in its current state and it sucks to see that the publishers do not care of the current bugs. Cash grab trash.

I want to recommend this game, really I do. But there are far too many bugs for me to do so in good conscience. Quests that are unfinishable and stuck in your list, tenants disappearing, and a slew of other game breaking bugs have made me have to put the game down. The furniture and wall/floor selection is lacking, and trying to put in mods to make up for it lead to even -more - bugs. This game could have been fantastic... had their been patches to address the bugs (particularly those related to the DLC). I am unsure if the new ports are as buggy, but I'd beware.

This was a great game until they abandoned it. Surprisingly today they release a version for PS5 and Xbox yet they havent been maintaining or taking care of the people that own their game on PC. I wish they would revive this game but at this point I think its a lost cause.

I would've given this a positive review had we gotten a full game that aligned with the supposed roadmap shown in the game. Unfortunately, we haven't had an update to the game in about 2 years at this point, and I'm inclined to believe we aren't getting what was promised when this game came out of early access. Disappointing, really. The gameplay loop is oddly addicting, and it's very reminiscent of Sims with the apartment/house design. I want so badly to tell people to give this game a chance. Honestly! But at least Sims gets updates, go play Sims instead.

When are game developers going to learn they'll make more money fixing their games instead of pumping out new broken content? Yeah, the EA method works for a bit after each release, but you trash your reputation and piss off the fans that had loyally followed for years. Reputation is what keeps new players, recommendations, and DLC's sales coming. Not updates pushing "new and exciting" game breaking features and then putting them on sale for 90% repeatedly when it's not even worth that anymore.

It's kinda boring. Imagine being stuck on the build phase of sims but with 10 items to choose from, and no sense of satisfaction from finishing the renovation.

Gets pretty repetetive after like 20 hours, but a relaxing simulator game just like the flipper games!

At the very beginning of the game, painting the walls "Yellow" waas not accepted, even though t was required for proceeding. I did that, but no proceeding was possible.

could sit and play this game for hours. i also have the pets dlc and have never had any issues with it. very cozy game, love it

really easy to follow game, and just overall a nice little game, especially with the home designing

So far so good! Pretty easy to understand interior designing/landlord sim game. The game runs good and the gameplay is not bad I'd give the game a solid 7/10 after playing for 2 hours. I'd say the game is worth full price let alone $3.

very fun, i love the entire decorating aspect. it’s a little buggy sometimes but overall super solid. nothing detrimental is an issue just simple fixes

Played this since early launch but haven't touched it again till now. I'd say I'm still having fun. Haven't got pass the slums as I'm still min maxing the district till I move to the next.

i loved this game when i first bought it, then and i opened it after a while. got frustrated because things kept breaking and there's no option to manually save the game... devs... you should add it in....

If you like the sims, InZoi, AC happy home designer, you're gonna love this game. I loved it too! until i lost 3 hours of progress randomly :) I closed the game properly, everything was okay... when i open it again; a quarter of my progress is gone. No way to get it back. GG

What Can I say, I am literally OBSESSED. If you like simulator games and cosy games or renovating games, this is perfect for you! It does not have much things but it is fun. Diffferent tenantns, different problems, New worlds to explore and places to buy and renovated. In the game you also have jobs , and you earn money from it. So yeah Super fun game!

Very addictive game. Lots to do at the start of the game to earn money. If you have played House Flipper you would love this game as it is similar in terms of renovating houses but in this game you get to manage your tenants closer and in a more interactive way. Downloaded today and 5 hours went by in a flash. Would recommend!!

this game is on sale for $3. it's probably worth that instead of the full price i paid. i have less than an hour game time since i've purchased like a couple years ago lol.

I honestly wanted to like this more. Its similar to games like 'Prison Architect' or 'Honey, I Joined A Cult' while being much more involved with the physical spaces themselves rather than managing the people within. Everything is cleanly laid out and the tutorial does very well at explaining without being invasive on the experience. I think i expected something a bit more like a business tycoon, so it wasn't my cup of tea personally, but if you enjoy management simulators with an emphasis on the whole 'landlord experience' this should be exactly what your looking for. The game is well made with an active development crew that loves to improve and expand into their games that seeps in to a made-with-love style game that is absolutely addicting.

I love this game! I'm only on the first district but I have had SO much fun, so far. It's so cute. The Pets DLC adds a lot to the game, and you definitely need it. But, I got it on sale for 1.99, I'm not sure that I would pay full price for it.

Im not a gamer, but I enjoy this game. It lets me turn my mind off and worry about SIM problems vs real life problems. 10/10 recommend.

Like the Sims and House flipper except less interesting and more boring. Also my tennants wont stop making meth.

Hey Frozen District, let them develop their game!

I love this game I hope you keep updating and bringing more new things

Always been fan of management games. This is so much fun.

sims, if it was like, underbudget

abandoned game, give your money to other games who deserve it

game no longer opens.

fun

Good GAme

Too tedious after the first few hours.