Review of Two-Point Campus (PC, Xbox S/X, PS4/5, Switch)

what is up, everyone! This time, I review the latest edition to Sega's series of management games, can this game graduate with a bachelor's degree, even honours? Or is this game going to be a first-year dropout? 

Let's find out!

(Best enjoyed with headphones on)

The history of the two-point series started out in the late 1980s, and early 90s, when British-based developer, Bullfrog Productions, released populous, released on 5 June 1989, published by  Electronic Arts (back then the company had an excellent reputation with the general public, unbelievable, I know!)

FUN FACT: did you know that the developer was co-founded by Peter Molineux?

Bullfrog went on to create the first game that would be recognised as a management game, Theme Park, released in June 1994. The game was ported to various consoles including the Nintendo DS! 

The company then take the idea, mechanics and quirkiness into a hospital setting, with Theme Hospital, released on 28 March 1997. Theme Hospital was deemed an all-time classic PC game in the pre-Windows era. 

Unfortunately, the company ceased to exist as a separate entity in 2001, as Peter Molineux left the company, leaving it to be merged into EA UK. After that, its franchises went dark. 

However, in 2016 a  renaissance sparked as two employees, Mark, and Gary Carr founded two point studios which quickly became a subsidiary of Sega. The first game they released was the spiritual successor to the legendary Theme Hospital, released on 30 August 2018. The game was then ported to consoles on 25 February 2020. 

The video review of two point hospital can be found here: 

https://disabledgame.blogspot.com/2021/04/review-of-two-point-hospitalpc-ps4-xbox.html

This particular game is a spiritual successor to the aforementioned two-point hospital. You play the part of the director of Two Point University. It is up to you to design, expand your campuses, hire staff, manage the courses you provide, and overall student satisfaction as you strive to become the best university in the country.

The accessibility scores are as follows –

Visibility 7

There are no basic accessibility features present in the options menu, for example, a colourblind mode. But in all simulation/management games, there is very little need for them.

There are no colour-coded elements that can cause an issue for a colourblind player. Also, there is no feature present to customise the font size subtitles and menus (apart from the UI scale). This put a playable with visual impairments at risk of gaining eyestrain, especially in a menu-heavy game, for example, a management sim.

Apart from that, a player with a visual impairment should be able to play this game with minimal issues.

Audibility 10

There is a subtitle function which can be enabled and disabled via the game section of the options menu. In this game, all dialogue is subtitled, even the PA announcer's humorous dialogue. For example " Students FAQ no, you cannot have an extension". So, players with hearing impairment should be able to play this game with minimal to no issues.

Mobility 11

Unlike its predecessor, Two Point Hospital, this game has full control support out-of-the-box. Playing and management game, or a city builder, for example, Tropico feels a lot more comfortable with a controller. However, if you want to go full-on vanilla, you can use a mouse and keyboard. The game also has hotkeys, which can be customised.

This gives players with mobility impairments more of a choice on which peripheral,  they would like to use to play the game. In some cases, full controller support, even on a PC game can be a dealbreaker! So, this game can be very easily played by players with mobility impairments.

Gameplay 10

This game feels like an upgraded version of Two Point Hospital. As I have said earlier in this review, the full controller support out-of-the-box feels like a breath of fresh air. A management sim or city builder feels like the perfect candidate for strategy games with controller support.

To me, playing with the controller is the most comfortable option to play the game. The campaign gets you familiar with the various features, mechanics, and every factor that you will be managing during your stay at Two-Point Campus. After which, you can jump into the game sandbox mode to build the University of your dreams.

On top of that, there is multiplayer leaderboards to keep you playing, as your University becomes (quite literally) the best in the world.

In summary, Two Point Campus is probably one of, if not the best management game that I have played in a while.

Although the content is somewhat lacking now, the developers will be adding more, and more content as time goes on. If you have the time, and patients for a management sim, this game is on Xbox game pass, don't knock it till you try it!

OVERALL SCORE 95%

Before I go, it's time for an open question. 343 industries have decided to can split screen multiplayer in the recent game, Halo Infinite.

 Now, what do you guys think about this? Should split screen multiplayer be split up, due to the rise of online gaming? Or should one of the most basic principles of multiplayer gaming be preserved forever?

 Let me know down in the comments!

See you guys in the next review,  SpartanCommander1990 out.

 Roll out, Spartan Legion!