"Circus Empire" Review (PC)

The Bottom Line: With its basic management features and easy to learn gameplay, "Circus Empire" is best for families looking for a game to play together

Pros:

• easy to learn
• watch the circus shows
• variety of performers & tricks
• good game for kids

Cons:

• lacks complexity for average gamer

"Circus Empire" Features

• Manage a circus and the performers that you hire.
• 2 modes of play: sandbox or story mode.
• Customize the show with which performers are on stage and what tricks are performed.
• 70 different types of performers - clowns, horses, tight rope walkers, and more.
• Plan the daily schedule for the performers and trainers.
• Hiring and fire staff members.
• Watch the circus acts in 3D.
• Advertise to get more customers to come to shows.
• Improve the star rating by better circus acts and atmosphere.

"Circus Empire" Review

"Circus Empire" - A Circus Act

Screenshot © Enlight Interactive.

Sounds crazy, eh? That's how the story mode of "Circus Empire" starts out. Just so happens your uncle owns a circus. That uncle decides he needs a vacation upon your arrival. You're left in charge of a small circus that is going nowhere. A talking dog helps you learn how to run the place.

The dog will guide you on how to run a circus. You start off learning how to select the acts for shows. Really easy to do. Click on the performer, say a clown, then from a list of tricks you click on the ones you want him to do. After you're done with clown, click on another performer and add their tricks.

Performers need time to train and repeat the tricks they already know. Each day you choose whether they will rest, repeat (work on tricks they know), or train to learn a new trick. Trainers help the animals with their performances. You choose which trick they learn next. Not all tricks are created equal and do have a difficulty rating. All of the training and resting options are available from the schedule.

You do get the see the shows you put together. Shows are in 3D (you can also walk around the circus area in 3D). Not all shows go as planned. The performers successfully pull off the tricks (which doesn't go over well with the crowd) and you can see if the bleachers are not full. Younger kids will thing this is neat, but really after seeing a couple shows, I'd rather just plan and not watch.

Putting together acts is the bulk of the work. But there are also buildings to place (drink stands anyone?), advertising, and handling the money. It's not as complex as other management games. I'd venture to say that the game is best for 10-11 year olds. If they have a lot of gaming experience, they could get quickly bored with "Circus Empire."

For this reason, it's really a game for families to play together. An adult and a 6 or 7 year old would probably have a good time putting together and watching the shows under the big top. "Circus Empire" is a pass for most gamers. "Circus Empire" is a pass for most gamers. It doesn't have the range or depth to keep the average gamer interested for long.