City 20 returns to the record following a significant period of development in Early Access with a 0.9 update. That’s right, still in early access. What was once a smaller-scale experience has expanded into a broader open-world sandbox, offering players the freedom to survive, explore, and make friends (or enemies) with a whole ton of NPCs.
The game leans heavily into player-driven progression. With no real central narrative, the experience is shaped through side quests, crafting, and the gradual process of learning how to function within its world.
One of the standout elements is its NPC simulation. Characters live independently, following daily routines, working jobs, and interacting with the world in ways that give the environment a persistent, living quality.
Over a rare full stream of gameplay the exploration proved enjoyable, with the expanded scope offering more to discover than in it’s early days. However, progression — particularly in learning new items to craft — can feel slow, occasionally limiting momentum. PErhaps part of that was play style though. More aggressive exploring and perhaps more aggressive acquisition of goods may have helped some.
Despite these pacing concerns, City 20 shows clear growth and ambition compared to its earlier state.
The city has changed.
And it is still growing. I expect to see this resurrected again later.
Pronouncement: Resurrected.