From small fish to el chapo, Drug Dealer Simulator lets you live out your kingpin fantasies. Publishers Movie Games and PlayWay have scored a jackpot with developer Byterunner Game Studios’ debut simulator.
Despite its … unique … branding, the goods of Drug Dealer Simulator weigh out perfectly under close scrutiny. The gameplay is addictive, there’s plenty of room to play how you want, and I can finally show my parents that I’m learning some business acumen from all those damn games. Fully capitalizing on simulator and weed meme culture, Drug Dealer Simulator will hook you up, always respond on time, and provide sweet relief from the doldrums of reality.
Gameplay
A major key to success in the world of drug trafficking is, of course, to never get high on your own supply. Sadly, Drug Dealer Simulator is too hard to resist–its drip, regular and ever-increasing, like branched rivers running towards a forbidden basin in relief–it keeps calling late at night, early in the morning.
Seriously, the core loop of gameplay is addictive. Layer upon layer of xp systems, unfolding narratives, iterative world expansions, and high-stakes punishments and rewards made Drug Dealer Simulator enjoyable both in short and long game sessions.
In regard to its feel, the running, jumping, and police chase mechanics all felt consistent. Well-polished core mechanics, then, compliment the sandbox element of the game. I was able to choose what kind of drugs I wanted to sell, to whom I would sell, what areas I would target, how I would network my supply and workstations, and even how my drug workstations operated. Every reward feeds into a larger RPG aspect that had me engrossed the whole time.
Story
With so much of the game up to how the player wants to play it, there isn’t much of a core narrative. There’s your core suppliers and a looming threat of the feds which flavor the narrative–but on what terms and how the specific player wants to play means that there aren’t too many railroad tracks the main narrative must follow.
Thus, the atmosphere and living aspect of sandbox games become paramount, and this is where Drug Dealer Simulator thrives. Skulking in the darkness to make midnight deals in back alleys is shady; tagging new territories with my gang sign graffiti was empowering; running from the cops, alarms blaring, dogs barking, and gruff shouts from the booted trampling of coppers made my heart race; over-the-top record scratching and old-school hip-hop aesthetics permeate the expansive town. The world feels alive and like it has consequences for my actions.
Most memorable, definitely, were the relationships I developed (maybe made-up) with a wild and wacky cast of clients. I became attached to my ratty, anime-glassed, sweaty old woman on speed, my cute hipster girl buying weed, and my business bro always coked up. These character models, combined with the frequency of which they need a lot of drugs, are outright endearing.
Problems
Even though the core of Drug Dealer Simulator is strong, there is still much more it could become. The possibilities of fighting the cops, fending off rival gangs, setting up autonomous grow operations or delivery systems, and adding all the customization for dressing up your character, room, and gang sign with all the cash you get could and should be patched in the future. The gameplay can become shallow and a bit repetitive after so many hours, but the potential for expansion on a solid base is promising.
Overall
There’s a rare quality in games, where the mechanics, thematic evocations, and aesthetics all align, and Drug Dealer Simulator absolutely hits on each. Punching above its weight, Drug Dealer Simulator accomplishes even more than it set out for. I’m ashamed that I estimated it as a joke, but glad I could turn my kingpin fantasies into my kingpin destiny.
Score: 9/10
Check Out the Drug Dealer Simulator Trailer:
Drug Dealer Simulator is available for PC via Steam.
Steam Review
Recent Michigan State University grad and current Game Studies researcher who plays fantasy RPG's to escape, Smash to compete, and Stardew to chill. Also have a +1 to rage/toxicity resistance due to the many hours sunk into WoW, R6, and LoL.
More Stories
MANOR LORDS Now Available via PC Game Pass, Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store
Metro Simulator 2 Review for Xbox
GTA Online this Week Features New Community Series, Free Tees, Nightclub Bonuses, and More