Move over Paper’s Please, there’s a new point-and-click resource management game in town, and this one lets you become a ruthless (or not-so-ruthless) tax collector.
Debtors Club throws you into the shoes of a 90s-era employee working for a shady city hall.
In this article, we’ll be giving a full review of the game and ranking it from decaf to fully caffeinated.
Prefer to watch the video version? Check it out here
Story
Debtors Club boasts a surprisingly rich narrative that unfolds as you navigate the daily lives of your debtors.
Each case offers a glimpse into their personal struggles, secrets, and aspirations. Witty dialogue and confidential information add spice to the interactions, making you feel like a fly on the wall.
Beyond individual cases, a larger story unfolds, following the city’s corrupt mayor and his schemes. Your choices throughout the day impact the narrative, offering a sense of agency and multiple potential storylines. Mysterious notes under your door add another layer of intrigue, hinting at hidden agendas and dangerous secrets.
The dark humor and interesting plot keep you engaged, making Debtors Club a game that seamlessly blends story and gameplay.
So, for story, I’m rating Debtors Club as Buzzed.
GAMEPLAY
The core gameplay of Debtors Club will feel familiar to Paper’s Please fans, but with a unique twist.
Each day, you’ll pick three cases and have a quota to meet. Success hinges on your ability to squeeze as much money as possible from debtors. You have a limited toolbox for each case, offering options like negotiation, intimidation, bluffing, and exploiting confidential information. Each action requires a successful roll of a virtual die, adding a layer of strategy to your choices. Confidential info can boost certain options, and expired licenses can even be leveraged for extra leverage.
Once you exhaust your negotiation options, you can send in different collection teams – tax collectors for full recovery, fiscal inspectors for a moderate cut, or the intimidating “paci-fists” for a smaller, less savory portion. Completing cases and exceeding your quota fuels your progress. Bonus objectives from the mayor add another layer of challenge. After hours, your surplus cash can be used for upgrades and staffing.
Debtors Club offers a strategic experience with a touch of chance, making it both addictive and challenging.
Some bugs and a relatively short playtime (around 2 hours per playthrough) are minor drawbacks. However, the wealth of storylines encourages multiple playthroughs, extending the game’s life considerably.
So, for gameplay, I’m rating Debtors Club as Buzzed.
DESIGN
Debtors Club boasts a cool, edgy cartoon style reminiscent of the best 90s cartoons. It’s colorful, quirky, and full of personality, perfectly conveying the game’s world.
The soundtrack is a funky, upbeat affair that sets a fun vibe for the game. The sound effects complete the package, adding a layer of nostalgia without hindering gameplay.
Overall, the design is cohesive and charming, even if it might not appeal to everyone.
So, for design, I’m rating Debtors Club as Fully Caffeinated.
ORIGINALITY
While Debtors Club shares some core mechanics with Paper’s Please, it’s far from derivative. The diverse storylines offer incredible replayability, and the dark humor elevates the experience.
The dice roll mechanic adds a unique layer of strategic decision-making, and the overall theme of navigating the gray areas of tax collection is both novel and engaging.
Debtors Club takes a familiar concept and injects it with originality, making it a truly unique experience.
So, for originality, I’m rating Debtors Club as Fully Caffeinated.
THE FINAL BREW
Debtors Club is a hilarious and dark point-and-click game with a side of resource management. It’s a wild and fun trip down memory lane, offering a unique blend of story, strategy, and dark humor. While not the longest experience, its replayability and originality make it a must-try for fans of the genre.
We’ve ground the beans, weighed and pressed the grinds, and brewed this game down. Now it’s time for a taste test… Debtors Club is Buzzed!
Debtors Club is available on Steam now. You can check it out here.
Until next time, stay caffeinated!
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