Game: APICO
Genre: Indie, Simulation
System: Steam (also available on Epic Store & Humble Games)
Developers | Publishers: TNgineers | Whitethorn Games
Controller Support: Partial
Price: US $19.99 | UK £15.49 | EU € 16,79
Release Date: May 20th, 2022
Review code used, with many thanks to Uber Strategist PR.
APICO is a laid-back beekeeping sim game about bees, developed by two brothers who form TNgineers.
Bee Great!
The game is a unique mix of building, resource gathering and production. However, what you are producing makes the game even more unique, as you take on the role of collecting and conserving bees. APICO takes you through the process of caring for bees, discovering new bees, breeding, and releasing bees. The game has lots of inspiration from real-life beekeeping, all done in pixel art style.
Help the Family Beeiness
You arrive on the island to continue grandpa’s dream and help fund the family business by making and selling honey, Apicola, and other beekeeping products. What better way to take a break from city life than to do some resource collecting, crafting and looking after bees? That’s the life for me!
In APICO, you’ll discover and breed many different bee species across multiple biomes. In addition, there is a quest style tutorial that tasks you with different quests, such as building a workbench, while it also teaches you how to play the game. I like the tutorial style and the way you complete the quests while learning about the bees; other developers should take note.
Chill out with the Bees
You’ll also break into beehives and collect bees for breeding in-between collecting wood and stone. Don’t worry, as breaking into beehives isn’t as bad as it sounds, and no bees were harmed in the making or playing APICO.
Soon, you’ll be collecting and cross-breeding bees from around the island. There are more than 30 species of Bee; each has its own unique stats. Some produce more honey, some live longer, some produce unique byproducts, and all add depth to the game’s beekeeping mechanics.
Crafting Included
You’ll be busy while beekeeping as everything has to be crafted, and wood needs to be cut into shape. Wood is needed for Apiaries and many other things such as furniture. The wood must then be split into logs and further split into sticks.
It’s a stress-free and relaxing game; everything can be done at your own pace. You may even learn a thing or two about bee biology as the developers have added plenty of depth to the beekeeping and breeding mechanics while keeping the game engaging.
Visuals and Controls
APICO’s graphics are colourful and bright with a retro look. Along with the very chill-out music, it all adds to the game’s charm.
A keyboard and mouse control the game, or you can use a controller, which I did, and both work well. However, I have one niggle about APICO: the overabundance of menus on the screen at once. It makes the screen look cluttered and blocks out your view of the lovely graphics.
Conclusion – A buzzing Good Time
While playing APICO, it’s clear that the developers have put a lot of love into their game and bees. It’s littered with bee puns and humour throughout the game, and it is educational as well. Four-player online co-op is available to play, which I didn’t get to try. However, the enjoyable and chilled gameplay will keep you buzzing for hours and coming back for more. Gotta go and check on my bees!
Final Verdict: I Like It A Lot 
Note: Developers TNgineers are donating a portion of sales of APICO to some very worthy causes, the National and International bee, beekeeping, & wild bee conservation charities. Check out the game on Steam here.