Some of you already know: I’m a huge fan of simulation games. Maybe you’ve already come across a review where I play a simulation game. So I’m the perfect person to write this one. And I was so excited to start playing Sports: Renovations!
Give sports facilities a second life in this relaxing, story-driven simulator! Restore the glory of old gyms, courts and pitches, and add a sprinkle of your own style. The name says it all: Sports: Renovations is a sports-themed simulation game, and it’s a great way to relax and lose track of time. The game is published by Dear Villagers and developed by Goat Gamez.
Renovation with a storyline
What I really like about this game is that it combines renovation with a storyline. Normally, simulation games include a bit of story, but this one really pushes you through it. As you play, you keep discovering more by examining items or listening to the in-game podcast while you’re hard at work. The story starts with fixing up smaller sports venues, like an old boxing gym. You do this to earn money to restore your own basketball court. And you’re not just cleaning up — you’ll be washing, demolishing, buying items, placing them, and eventually building a real boxing ring. It’s all done in layers: you start with the screws, lay down anti-slip mats, and finish with the fencing. And just like that, your self-built boxing ring is ready! Throughout these missions, you uncover the history and meaning behind each location, which adds an extra layer of depth to the game.
Tools, puzzles, and little details
Players have access to a variety of tools like brooms, paint rollers, and sledgehammers to clean, repair, and decorate (you can upgrade them to make the work easier.) While the game is relaxing, some tasks can start to feel repetitive. Fortunately, the game offers clear and helpful instructions, making it easy to get started.
Small details make it especially engaging, like the animation of the brush balancing when you pick it up. The lighting effects are also well done, sometimes intentionally too bright for realism. There are fun little puzzles too, like fixing fuse boxes. It’s nice that you don’t have to replace everything one by one; you can do it all at once, which keeps the pace up.
The before-and-after feature is also a great addition: you take a photo of your work and immediately see the difference. And the game is inclusive as well. For example, you need to renovate a place where wheelchair competitions take place. But there are stairs in the way, so you have to build an elevator! And then there’s the ice polish machine: once you use it, the floor becomes super slippery and shiny.
Visually strong, voice acting less so
Visually, this game is really impressive. It’s bright and colorful, which gives it a cheerful vibe. However, I did have some doubts about the voice acting. Sometimes it was a bit over the top, and other times it lacked enthusiasm. At one point, I even started wondering if one of the voices was AI-generated.
A bug – but also a community
While playing the game, I unfortunately ran into a bug: I couldn’t paint a wall to 100%, which caused me to get stuck in the campaign. Luckily, the game has a Discord community, where I found out that you can fix the bug by using the right mouse button function. It’s a kind of quick-paint option that becomes available when most of the wall is already painted. Thanks to that tip, I was able to fix the bug and finish the game.
Conclusion
Sports: Renovations is a surprisingly engaging simulation game that combines renovation with a compelling storyline. The mix of building, cleaning, and discovering makes it a relaxing yet intriguing experience. Despite minor drawbacks like repetitive tasks, questionable voice acting, and the occasional bug, the game wins you over with its charm, attention to detail, and inclusive approach. Whether you’re a fan of sports, simulation games, or simply enjoy creating something beautiful, this game will keep you entertained for hours.
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