Over the past decade, I’ve found myself going from not really getting the appeal of simulation titles to quite enjoying them as a relaxing way to unwind after a long day. While most titles, like PowerWash Simulator, focus on a very specific task and have more than a layer of monotony that can be hard to push through, House Flipper 2 has quite an array of different tasks, creating a varied experience that is enjoyable and continues to feel fresh after its initial hours.
When you first boot up Frozen District’s House Flipper 2, you might want to compare it to PowerWash Simulator as you’ll be cleaning a pretty rancid fixer-upper house. However, cleaning is just one of the many different jobs that you’ll undertake while working. From putting away boxes — and getting major Unpacking vibes trying to figure out where items best go — to destroying walls and doing more complex renovation projects, there are a lot of different ways to interact with the world, which makes the levels far less monotonous and more fun to play as a result.
Now is it for everyone? Certainly not. You still have to find the idea of home renovation appealing and willing to do some repetitive tasks, such as cleaning windows and clearing out rooms filled with trash. However, if these do appeal to you, you’ll find a really great story mode (filled with some fun text and tales in the background) that will keep you occupied for over 12 hours.
One of the coolest aspects of House Flipper 2 is that there is a sandbox mode, which allows you to build your dream home rather than just renovate the houses of others. There’s a shocking amount of options at your disposal, which makes it the most complicated but also fulfilling mode. It can become a bit overwhelming at first and is best approached after the story mode as a result. It’s also the one time that the console version shows some slight limitations, just because it’s far easier to go through the menus and select options with a mouse than it ever will be with a controller. However, it’s a fun time still and shows just how much you can do in the game. It’s quite impressive how far the team took the idea of house flipping and expanded upon it.
Whether you just want to turn a wreck of a house into a much nicer one or are looking to flex your creative chops and design your dream home, there’s so much you can do in House Flipper 2. It’s one of the most varied and in-depth simulation titles you’ll find. The console port is a strong one as you get the full experience (even if sandbox mode is easier to navigate with a mouse), and the story mode is a joy to make your way through.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equates to “Great.” While there are a few minor issues, this score means that the art succeeds at its goal and leaves a memorable impact.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for our House Flipper 2 review. Reviewed on version 2.000.000.
