Chris InglisAs a parent, finding a game that genuinely captivates both me and my children, fostering teamwork and creativity, is a rare gem. Go-Go Town! Developed by Prideful Sloth and published by CULT Games, is precisely that kind of game. A game that has been in early access since June 2024, my daughter and I have absolutely adored our time building up her bustling city, and it has quickly become a favourite weekend activity in our household.
The co-op experience is where Go-Go Town! truly shines. Working together, side-by-side via Steam Remote Play, transforming a humble plot of land into a thriving metropolis has been incredibly rewarding. As the mayor, we’re responsible for everything from the town’s layout and logistics to population growth and infrastructure. There’s a wonderful sense of shared accomplishment as we strategise on where to place new buildings, like houses, shops, markets and waste disposal, how to optimise our resource gathering, and what steps to take next to expand our town’s horizons.
The core loop of the game is incredibly engaging. We’ve spent hours happily farming various resources, from crops to crafting materials, all essential for the growth of our city. As our town grows and visitor demands increase, we’ve found ourselves working towards automating resource collection to keep up with the pace. With the latest Tourist Trap update, attracting new visitors from the train station adds a dynamic element, bringing in fresh faces and new demands that keep us on our toes. These visitors often have a specific task they require us to complete before they’ll agree to become a citizen.
Sometimes it’s as simple as paying a certain amount of coins, which can be a challenge in the early game when money is scarce. Other visitors might ask for entertainment, like a new ride or a bench to sit on, while some will only join if we’ve sold a particular quantity of an item. These tasks can sometimes be goals we’ve already achieved, leading to an immediate new citizen we can house and put to work, or they can present mini-goals that give us something new to strive for. The progression system feels well-paced and satisfying; unlocking bigger and better things for our citizens and the city itself provides a constant sense of forward momentum and exciting goals to work towards.
We also loved the gameplay loop of enticing visitors from the train station to not just visit, but to move in full-time, growing our population and bringing new life to our burgeoning city. Of course, as mayor, you deserve a place to call home as much as your residents do. With some excellent customisation options for the interior of your house, you can use the full 360° view and a comprehensive colour picker to make sure that every single corner of your personal space is exactly how you want it.
Go-Go Town! manages to strike a perfect balance between charming simplicity and rewarding depth. It’s easy enough for younger players to grasp the mechanics yet offers enough strategic layers to keep adults entertained. The vibrant visuals and cheerful atmosphere create a welcoming environment that makes every play session a joy. Utilising Steam Remote Play relies on one player using mouse/keyboard and the second player using a controller. Even on two computers on the network, you can’t both use mouse/keyboard. However online co-op is coming in the next major update in Q3, so I am keen to see how that is implemented.
Despite being in early access, Go-Go Town! is highly polished and a heck of a lot of addictive co-op fun. If you’re looking for a wholesome, engaging, and genuinely fun co-op experience to share with a loved one, especially if you enjoy city-building and resource management, Go-Go Town! Is an easy recommend. The developers have stated the game will stay in early access for at least 1 year and will launch into V1 in the first half of 2026.
This early access review utilised keys provided by CULT Games and Go-Go Town! is available on Steam early access.
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