Imagine being the Vice President of Earth. It sounds pretty prestigious, right? Until you realize your biggest challenge isn't foreign diplomacy, but convincing random townspeople to join your party because your president went AWOL after one too many espressos. Welcome to 'Citizens of Earth', a quirky RPG where politics meets absurdity, and the fate of humanity rests on the shoulders of a guy with a suspicious coffee addiction.
Gameplay revolves around our charming VP who apparently decided that taking office equaled ‘ harass citizens into helping me save the world’. You wander around various environments, including a suspicious coffee shop (real original, guys), collecting citizens to fight your battles. Yes, you heard it right! Instead of attacking enemies like a superhero, you command these eclectic townsfolk—like a hippie with a guitar and a programmer who probably wishes he was back coding in his basement—to battle on your behalf. It's like Pokémon, but instead of adorable monsters, you're recruiting a cacophony of oddballs who desperately needed a job. Combat is turn-based, which means there's ample time for bad choices and even worse strategies. You don't physically fight because that'd be too strenuous for a Vice President, so instead, you’re forced to shout orders like, "Hey, Programmer Guy! Use your superior coding skills to defeat that existential crisis!" And let's be clear, enemies are graphically represented by your average disgruntled citizen, so just imagine their faces. Throughout the game, characters join your party like they’re signing your yearbook, each bringing unique skills that are rigorously mediocre. Some might heal your wounds, others just stand there looking lost—the RPG equivalent of a friend who lingers awkwardly at a party. Toss in a plethora of side quests, mini-games, and the occasional unexpected coffee break, and you've got yourself a delightfully disorganized mess of an adventure.
Visually, 'Citizens of Earth' could be described as a charming throwback. It sports bright, cartoonish graphics that look like they were ripped straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Characters have exaggerated proportions, and the environments are colorful yet simple enough to remind you that this isn't a AAA-title. If EarthBound had a hipster cousin who went to art school, this is what it would look like—a blend of nostalgia with a healthy dose of indie DIY spirit. The quirky visual style often complements the humor of the writing. Just remember, when the graphics charm you, they might not be technically impressive. But hey, it's got character!
'Citizens of Earth' is an inventive satire on political life that captures the humorous absurdity of real-world governance, albeit through the eyes of a Vice President who’s stumbled over the coffee maker. While it has its share of pacing issues and sometimes frustrating battles, it’s one of those games that's hard to dislike because of its lovable eccentricity. If you're someone who enjoys your RPGs with great wit and a sprinkle of chaos, this could be your cup of coffee. Just remember—be prepared for some awkward conversations and a whole lot of questionable decision-making, because who knew saving the world would involve so much small talk? In the grand scheme of video games, it’s a peculiar little gem worth checking out, even if just to see how many citizens you can collect before they stop answering your calls. Sure, it’s not the best RPG out there, but it’s got enough charm to make it worth a play.