Game Dev Story

 iOS
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 79
  3. Negative: 8 out of 79
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  1. TechnologoDoom
    Aug 2, 2011
    10
    Kairosoft has struck gold! Their recent release, Game Dev Story, has light up iOS review sites left and right, and earned high marks from players as well (it's currently the #1 player-rated iphone app). After pouring 25 hours into 2 different game companies, smashing sales records, and hardly sleeping for a week out of obsession, I can easily say this is one of the most addictive gamesKairosoft has struck gold! Their recent release, Game Dev Story, has light up iOS review sites left and right, and earned high marks from players as well (it's currently the #1 player-rated iphone app). After pouring 25 hours into 2 different game companies, smashing sales records, and hardly sleeping for a week out of obsession, I can easily say this is one of the most addictive games I've ever played.… Expand
  2. busbfran
    Dec 28, 2013
    10
    Game Dev Story will be remember as one of the most addicting simulation IOS games to date. Every IOS owner must own this game and acknowledge Kairosoft for there outstanding work! Follow the world of gaming, will you create the game of the year?
  3. Sam-Bartlett
    Jul 25, 2011
    9
    Game Dev Story takes users back to a pixelated, 32-bit World, one where graphics wasn't important and games could rely solely on solid gameplay. The addictive nature of producing your own games through your team of trained staff (whilst it seems that your character just loafs around calling the shots) is very rewarding. After choosing a genre (e.g. RPG, Action, Adventure etc.) a Type (e.g.Game Dev Story takes users back to a pixelated, 32-bit World, one where graphics wasn't important and games could rely solely on solid gameplay. The addictive nature of producing your own games through your team of trained staff (whilst it seems that your character just loafs around calling the shots) is very rewarding. After choosing a genre (e.g. RPG, Action, Adventure etc.) a Type (e.g. Fantasy, Animal, Romance etc.), and a name for your masterpiece, users must lead their team to creating the next best-seller; constantly trying to pitch themselves for awards, earning capital, and gaining a larger fanbase. This is a must-have for anyone that loves Video Games. If you don't believe me - download Game Dev Story: Lite for free now!… Expand
  4. heychrisfox
    Oct 11, 2012
    10
    Don't you dare count this game out just because it's for phones. This is a sweepingly fun game. It takes the absolute essential mechanics of a sim game, and makes them the most interesting and fun little ongoing puzzles you can imagine. It's all budgeting and planning, and hiring cool guys to get the job done. Everything is in cutesy retro graphics for a nostalgia feel, and that fact thatDon't you dare count this game out just because it's for phones. This is a sweepingly fun game. It takes the absolute essential mechanics of a sim game, and makes them the most interesting and fun little ongoing puzzles you can imagine. It's all budgeting and planning, and hiring cool guys to get the job done. Everything is in cutesy retro graphics for a nostalgia feel, and that fact that you're making games seems like an inside meta-joke. You can even watch as the generations of consoles pass by, all with little humorous names. This is an amazing experience!… Expand
  5. Geordie09
    Mar 21, 2014
    9
    As far as addiction goes this game takes the cake. I can almost guarantee that once you load this game onto your iPad / iPhone you will not put it down. So find a comfy chair , a spare wall outlet and your charger, cause you won't want to go anywhere.

    The concept is simple, you manage an up and coming game dev company and you make your fortunes by developing the games or doing outside    As far as addiction goes this game takes the cake. I can almost guarantee that once you load this game onto your iPad / iPhone you will not put it down. So find a comfy chair , a spare wall outlet and your charger, cause you won't want to go anywhere.

    The concept is simple, you manage an up and coming game dev company and you make your fortunes by developing the games or doing outside contract work for money. With money you can hire more experienced people, spend more on the development and buy better advertising.

    There isn't much of a walk through or training mission, just some quick tips to read and the rest is up to you. Luckily it's easy enough to figure out the mechanics.

    I know it doesn't sound like much and the graphics are in the retro 16bit look but it pulls it of so well and being a portable game, quickly stopping to get on with your own life is a breeze. Casual or Hardcore this game is a must for everyone's iOS devices.    … Expand
  6. CenkAlp
    Jan 3, 2018
    7
    Hikaye = -
    Oynanış = -
    Grafikler = -
    Sesler = -
    Keyif = -
    Atmosfer = -
    Süre = -
  7. markrobinson89
    May 7, 2013
    10
    Very Similar to Game Dev Story on iOS. This is much polished and smooth graphics! More realistic Consoles like we get in actual life. Overall thanks but PLEASE release for iOS! Much better market for you guys Ignore these comments about copying! Only little features are the exact same but so what! Thankyou :D
  8. criticwannabe
    Jul 31, 2012
    9
    One of my favorite games ever it proves a game doesn't need a story to be ground breaking. The puns are funny. It's music is really good. It's fun. It has the highest replay value of any game I've ever played. It's Amazing!!!
  9. Lolbbqcabbage
    May 27, 2014
    5
    Game was fine and fun on my Xperia X10, got a HTC one M7and then it was just unplayable. Extremely laggy on any mode, **** frame rates. Extremely unoptimized game
  10. Millow
    Feb 26, 2013
    10
    Simply the best Kairosoft game yet, its highly addictive and very time consuming(in a good way), it also involves creativity and sometimes also luck, it starts of slow but over the ingame years the game just gets better and better. Can't wait for Game Dev Story 2
  11. JonLabudakis
    May 12, 2013
    9
    One of the best Kairosoft games.Perfectly balanced.Lovely designed.And it gives you a high motivation.
    The only negative things are the relative high price and after 40 Years there not much things to do left.
    But still a little game jewel.
  12. Skitte
    May 27, 2014
    7
    I have played this because of Game Dev Tycoon. I cannot criticize the graphics, but the only thing that matters. The game is quite addictive and really nice thought, but it is very high to understand how to unlock all the things and the necessary qualities for a good game that you must make. I played it a lot, but I have never got good reviews for my games and neither the best game award.I have played this because of Game Dev Tycoon. I cannot criticize the graphics, but the only thing that matters. The game is quite addictive and really nice thought, but it is very high to understand how to unlock all the things and the necessary qualities for a good game that you must make. I played it a lot, but I have never got good reviews for my games and neither the best game award. However, playable.… Expand
  13. carlosgtardon
    Jun 10, 2014
    9
    A nivel de mecánicas y jugabilidad es uno de los objetos de estudio más interesante que tenemos en el desarrollo de videojuegos. Dentro de su simplicidad consigue mantener clavados al jugador hasta gastar la batería. De los fundamentales para cualquier desarrollador.
  14. MrScatman
    Apr 21, 2015
    5
    Was fun but way too short as 2010 game i understand they should updated to make ps4 xbox 1 etc only 20years is short i developed some games sometimes consoles come 2 at same time and they shouldnt do that.. i did not managed to buy most of them.
  15. Liuon
    Aug 24, 2015
    9
    This is a game for fans of these type of graphic games. If you don't like these graphics just don't play it. It's a very good tycoon style game for your mobile, where you build your own business of game development. A must play for a management type fan games!

    Story: 10/10
    Fun: 8/10
    Controls: 9/10
    Graphics-Audio: 8/10
    Overall: 8.75/10
  16. PokeProX
    Mar 22, 2020
    10
    This is my first Kairosoft game, I've played the demo on my Nintendo Switch and then bought the game on my iPad. And let me tell you, this simulation game is highly enjoyable and addicting! Now to review this.

    The gameplay is pretty much straight-forward, make video games, use ideal genre combos, do some marketing, hire and fire staff, controlling the direction and speed of game    This is my first Kairosoft game, I've played the demo on my Nintendo Switch and then bought the game on my iPad. And let me tell you, this simulation game is highly enjoyable and addicting! Now to review this.

    The gameplay is pretty much straight-forward, make video games, use ideal genre combos, do some marketing, hire and fire staff, controlling the direction and speed of game development and more! There are lots of fun and unpredictable events to make this game addicting and charming. The graphics are very appealing and it's trying to look like old-school graphics. The music is nothing special, but it's kinda repetitive. I wouldn't say the music is annoying but you're better off putting your own music in the background. I've mentioned about unpredictable events, they're kind of suspenseful, stimulating or exciting. So the unpredictability in this game is fun and it reminds me of the unpredictability in Help Wanted: 50 Wacky Jobs (check out my review for that game).

    I've loved Game Dev Story, it's really fun and charming. Once you've reached the end of this game, you can enter some form of "New Game+". This game is worth the money and will occupy multiple hours of your time. I use save scumming to get better results when making my video games in game development. You should buy this game on this iOS and not on the Nintendo Switch because playing on iOS is more convenient and slightly cheaper than on Nintendo Switch. This is one of the best Kairosoft games out there, and it's worth trying out! And the score is... 9.3! (10)    … Expand
  17. someonewhocares
    Jul 9, 2022
    10
    Best Kairosoft game ever created!!! I just can't stop playing this game, because it is too addictive!
  18. BilalAhm
    Nov 13, 2022
    10
    Lovely Game!
    I really do love this game!
    This Game is very Enjoyable.
    The Game Developer did a very good job.
    I Hope I see a "Game Dev Story 2"!

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best iOS Game of 2010
4
#4 Most Discussed iOS Game of 2010
45
#45 Most Shared iOS Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. AppGamer
    Mar 20, 2011
    90
    For a game that relies on stats, Game Dev Story oozes charm and character. You will care about your company and its hard working employees, even when they fail you. It's this winning formula that will see you playing in to the small hours and possibly even laying awake at night, wondering just how you can make that one special game every developer dreams about.
    Read full review
  2. Gameblog.fr
    Mar 18, 2011
    80
    Game Dev Story promise is undeniably alluring: create your game studio and try and make it prosper. It seems pretty rich at first, with recruitment, advertising, genre level-up, training of your employees, advertisement, game reviews etc. to play with, but after 3 or 4 runs, most players will have seen almost everything and understood how to maximize profit and success in the game. Let's hope that the sequel will run deeper for a prolonged satisfaction.
    Read full review
  3. Thunderbolt
    Mar 1, 2011
    90
    The vast majority of iPhone fans probably won't get it. People who care about the gaming industry, however, definitely will.
    Read full review
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