Arms Dealer is a game that may have slipped under the radar of most Steam users but this is a game that should have a few more players playing it. Even though it is still in development, what is in the game still can provide an interesting game as the main premise is the aim of being a successful arms dealer. With lots of money to buy more arms and gain more income, as well as decent story that is still in development to give the game more dimension then a micro-management point and click game that some may think is all that this game has to offer. Admittedly, to some extent, it does feel that way.
But the developers have yet to fully utilise all the potential that this game has to offer, there are one or two things that I would like to see implemented. More of a tutorial on how to complete the basics. Once you have completed your first few arms deals, you'll have an idea of what you are doing, rather than having to play a guessing game and getting lucky. However, the tutorial improvements are something that I hope will come in a later build’s.
As to the story it does seem interesting. If there was voice acting added to the dialog to give the gameplay more sense of depth and would make you want to play it out rather than just trying to see how much money one can get. Other than trying to get the most money and playing out the story, there is a risk factor and the fact that the police don’t like the fact that someone is dealing weapons to finance revolutions.
This is where strategy comes into play for the player as they have to plot the route of transport to evade getting the shipment seized. This can be done by plane, truck or using your private boat. Each of these have their advantages and disadvantages of using them. Obviously, you have to take into account each of these methods costs and risks.
From what I got out of the game, it has good potential as the interface of the game menus is simple and they are looking to make it all more manageable on one screen. It's not too cluttered with lot of boxes covering the map of the world that you use for navigation. You utilise the map to make quick changes to sales and, as well as looking good, it does make you feel as if you really an arms dealer. The whole UI did feel and remind me of other game like Uplink, a hacker simulator that used micro management skills.
If you think that this is your sort of game, I say have a look and beware that it is still in development there could some bugs that could hinder your enjoyment. However, for the most part, it looks like a good, well rounded game that has potential.
My Thoughts
I like the game for what it is, something that could help pass the time, but not something that I would stream with as there not much to offer to others watching you play. But that is not to say there is no enjoyment to be had here, as there are good elements that are there that give the game something to keep bringing you back. Also, I feel that if they were to have online capability in the game, then it would give more of a challenge.
But that is something one has to hope for with a game that is still in development. In conclusion, is that this game give adequate level of entertainment, has good looks but some wobbles on delivery of the development process as well the end result.
So I take this game with a pinch of salt however, if you want to help a game in development, you can buy it on Steam for £9.87