Great graphics, intuitive play, and easy to pick up. Really, clearly better than average. This is a very good game, and the framework for an OUTSTANDING game is here, but there are several game mechanic issues that can be changed to make for an even better game / sequel.
Specifically:
- Gambling needs to be reworked. Not gamble everything, ties should push (not lose).
- The combat triangle for the conquests is not useful. Healers and Magicians are never needed in the game because hand-to-hand enemies are only seen early on, where they can be taken out with hand to hand fighters.
- Combat points need work. Tier the unlocking of new units so it isn't as hard to get a few early units, and harder to reach more elite units. This would allow for an increase in boss difficulty, because Fafnir is really, really easy if you're playing the game.
- The trading post is ripe for the picking. It's much easier to trade your way to wealth than click there, and you can make money so quickly on such a scale that it renders other investments obsolete. I'd recommend either a trade fee or more variance on pricing. As is, if you simply buy anything cheap and sell high, you're guaranteed to double or triple your money really quickly. This leads to exponential growth and is currently game breaking.
- Tips for achievements, perhaps in hover mode, would make the achievements I didn't unlock playing the game through worth my while. As is, I'm not going to hunt them down because I have no idea what's left to unlock.
Overall, a great premise that's a little saddled by some critical flaws in operation. Hopefully we see Halfling Tycoon 2 roll out and fix these, where you could have a really, REALLY spectacular game.