Game: Rise of Industry 2
Genre: Strategy, Simulation
System: Steam (Windows) (also on Xbox and PS5)
Developer | Publisher: SomaSim | Kasedo Games
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $29.99 | UK £24.99 | EU € 29,99
Release Date: June 3rd, 2025
A review code was provided, with many thanks to Press Engine.
Rise of Industry 2: A Deep Dive into Business Strategy, ’80s Style
Jumping into Rise of Industry 2 felt a bit like stepping into a time capsule and a boardroom at the same time. Set in a vibrant and ambitious reimagining of 1980s USA, complete with analogue tech, cassette tapes, and old-school charm, it places you in charge of building a booming industrial empire from the ground up. From sourcing raw materials to setting up entire logistics chains and brokering contracts, the game offers a serious helping of strategy for simulation fans.
As someone who fondly remembers Transport Tycoon from years back, I was initially intrigued by this game’s premise. But while Rise of Industry 2 is packed with depth and polish, my time with it left me more overwhelmed than engrossed.
A Stylish Throwback Setting
One of the standout features of Rise of Industry 2 is its nostalgic presentation. The visual style uses clean low-poly graphics that manage to evoke both simplicity and charm. Zoom in close, and you’ll see workers bustling, trucks moving, and production lines humming with life. It has an energy that fits the era, bolstered by a peppy, optional soundtrack that can be swapped out for your own tunes if you prefer.
Even before you start building, Rise of Industry 2 sets the tone with impressive full-motion video intros that ooze ’80s flair. It’s a clever touch and does a lot to bring this business-focused sim to life with a sense of setting and character.
More Than Just a Factory Builder
The gameplay goes far beyond placing factories and waiting for profits. From the moment you establish your headquarters, you’re setting up complex production lines. That means linking facilities with roads, ensuring power and water supply, organising transport routes, and even building storage for materials. You also need to form contracts with other businesses and manage relationships with local governments.
Each element is intricately tied together. Miss a connection or mis-manage a supply chain, and the game will flag the issue with a notification. You’re encouraged to pause, rethink, and tweak. There’s satisfaction in watching everything click into place, but it can take time to get there.
Tutorial Troubles and a Steep Climb
Unfortunately, for newcomers like me, the learning curve in Rise of Industry 2 is steep. The tutorial aims to guide players through the essentials, but it’s mostly text-heavy and often blocks your view of what it’s explaining. Once I was set loose in the game world, I found myself unsure how to handle issues that cropped up. I often knew what the problem was but not how to fix it.
Players with experience in the first game or in the business simulation genre may not find this a hurdle. But for me, with limited time to game and a desire to jump in and out casually, the barrier to entry felt too high. It’s not a game I found myself itching to return to, at least, not without more guidance or a gentler onboarding experience.
Creative Control for the Patient Player
That said, there’s clearly a rich game here for the right player. The campaign features 15 unique scenarios, each offering a fresh challenge, and the sandbox mode gives you total freedom to shape your business empire however you wish. There’s creativity in building out networks, experimenting with product chains, and finding the most efficient routes to profit. When it works, it really works; it just takes effort to get to that point.
Controls felt intuitive enough once I got used to them. I played using a mouse with some light keyboard input, and it was comfortable navigating the sprawling map. The interface, while a little dense at times, generally did a good job surfacing the information I needed.
Conclusion: A Niche, Well-Crafted Experience
Rise of Industry 2 didn’t quite land with me personally, but I can see it striking a chord with fans of complex management sims. If you enjoy games that reward patience, long-term planning, and fine-tuning every aspect of a system, there’s a lot here to enjoy. It’s not built for quick sessions or casual play, at least not at first, but it’s an impressive, detailed game with a unique style and ambition.
For gamers with the time and interest to truly dig in, Rise of Industry 2 might just be your next great challenge.
Final Verdict: I Like it
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