Some of my favorite games deny me what I think I want most. Elden Ring it refuses to provide manageable save files (and I paid for it). Balatro retains the final calculations on each hand played (and its developer suggests avoiding calculators). And modern X-COM games force me to realize that a 98% chance of getting it right is not the same as a 100% chance.
dystopian (Steam, Windows) is a city builder in perhaps the strictest definition of that two-word descriptor, because it steadfastly refuses to distract you with non-building details. Its sole developer, Matt Marshall, describes the game as “no goals, no management, just creativity and dark, cozy vibes.” dystopian It does very little to explain how you should play it, because there is no optimal path to do so. Your only job is to have fun, poking and prodding at a dark cyberpunk cityscape, making things look interesting, pretty, bleak or whatever you want. It may seem restrictive, but it is very liberating.
The game interface is a small rail on the left side of the screen. Select “Building” and a random shape will be attached to the cursor. You can right click to change it, but you can't choose one. Position it and then optionally hover near its top to change its height. Making a building taller will raise nearby smaller buildings. Reaching certain heights, densities, or something (not explained) will “unlock” certain new buildings, landmarks, and decorations.
Hurrah! I've unlocked the headquarters of a megacorporation with a very sinister name! (Appreciate my efforts on public transportation). Credit: Kevin Purdy
You can choose “Props” like roads, trams, giant billboards, holographic objects, and flying garages, but the game also doesn't commit to what you should do with them, or much of anything. You leave things or delete them, expand them, connect them and try things until you like the way they look.