Ignakisa
Writer and EditorIgnakisa writes updates and guides about anime on BrandAnime, helping fans stay in the loop with the latest news, stories, and recommendations. From new releases...
Independent studio Mad Pumpkins has officially announced that their unique cinema-theater tycoon, Movierooms: Cinema Management, is arriving on Steam Early Access on March 17th. Priced at $14.99 USD, early players can grab a 15% launch discount during the first 2 weeks.
Step Into Film History
In Movierooms, you don’t just manage a building, you manage an era. The game invites you to design theaters across different historical periods, starting from the early 1900s nickelodeons and progressing toward modern multiplexes.
One of the most interesting features is the story-driven Historical Mode. Here, cinema history has been disrupted, and you are guided by Gaspard (an animated Oscar-like statuette) to complete missions and rescue legendary film pioneers from being lost to time. For those who prefer a less structured experience, the Sandbox Mode offers full access to all equipment and decorations from the start.
Gameplay Impressions
When I first started playing Movierooms, I found the core concept incredibly refreshing. It is rare to see a tycoon-style game dedicated entirely to cinema management, and that uniqueness immediately made it stand out to me.
I spent a significant amount of time designing and organizing the theater layout, which was easily the most enjoyable part of the experience. There are many things you can do at the beginning, such as building new rooms and placing various objects inside them. I loved watching the customers interact with the objects I placed; it makes the environment feel alive and adds a sense of immersion to the theater.
Early Access Realities
However, I have to be honest. After a while, the gameplay began to feel repetitive. Once I finished my basic layout, there weren’t many new goals or deep mechanics to keep me engaged for longer sessions.
I also felt a bit restricted by the building system. Currently, all rooms must be square, which limits the complexity of your layouts. I found it a bit unrealistic that large crowds of customers visited my theater from the very first day. I don’t know it didn’t feel like a newly opened business that needed to earn its reputation. Additionally, placing every object manually in every single room eventually felt tedious, and I wished for a “room preset” feature to speed up the process.
Technical Issues Check
Since this is an Early Access title, you should be prepared for a few technical issues. During my playthrough, I encountered a completely black screen after the opening cutscene. It looks like a crash, but the game is actually just loading in the background.
I also ran into an issue where placing a room in an invalid location caused it to get stuck. I discovered that the only way to cancel the placement is by right-clicking, but there is currently no tutorial or hint to tell you this.
The Good Parts
Despite these early hurdles, the management depth is promising. In this game you aren’t just a builder, but a curator. You must schedule film programs based on genres, ratings, and current trends, keeping in mind that the time of day and day of the week will impact your attendance.
Another unique aspect is the theme itself. This is the first theater-tycoon style game I have encountered. The historical setting is also a great touch, as it introduces players to the history of cinema while managing the business.
You also have to hire and manage specialized staff, including projectionists, cashiers, and janitors. To grow your cinema, you’ll need to invest in advertising campaigns and improve hygiene and comfort to attract high-value VIP visitors.
Is It Worth the Ticket Price?
Overall, Movierooms: Cinema Management has a very promising foundation. The unique theme and the historical setting are great touches that celebrate the history of film. While it currently lacks deep progression systems, such as a tech tree or a reputation system, the core experience of theater design is already quite enjoyable. With more content, progression mechanics, and additional challenges, this game could become a very engaging cinema management experience.
If you’re a fan of tycoon games or a cinephile who loves the idea of building a historical theater, this is a game worth playing. By jumping in now, you can help the small team at Mad Pumpkins shape the game’s future. Don’t forget to grab it during the first 2 weeks to take advantage of that 15% discount!
Ignakisa writes updates and guides about anime on BrandAnime, helping fans stay in the loop with the latest news, stories, and recommendations. From new releases to hidden gems, he enjoys breaking things down so fellow anime lovers can easily find their next favorite anime. When he's not writing, you’ll probably find him watching anime, playing games, or diving into another story. For Igna, anime it’s a world of adventures waiting to be explored. And he believes every anime has a story worth sharing with the community.
- Latest Posts by Ignakisa
-
Nippon Sangoku Unleashes 3rd Trailer! New Cast and Ending Theme Revealed!
- -
The Irregular at Magic High School: Yotsuba Succession Arc New Trailer Released Featuring LiSA and Premiere Screening Details!
- -
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 New Trailer and Cast Announced for July Return!
- All Posts
