Universal Paperclips

It hard to imagine that a developer could ever make a game that revolves around such a mundane subject as the manufacture and sale of paper clips. Even stablers ignite more imagination and excitement in the mind of most people than the feat of metal origami that is the paperclip. None the less Universal Paperclips has taken on the challenge of making the most mundane piece of office equipment the subject of an addictive resource management clicker where players will begin as a humble folder or aluminum and possibly end controlling a universal empire built on one of the simplest concepts known to man.

The Premise

Universal Paperclips is a click and play resource management simulation. The game begins when a player pushes a simple button to produce a paper clip. From here on you are in a dynamic marketplace. You may set the price of your clips as you desire but, savvy players will be well advised to set the price according to market demand to ensure the most efficient economic engine is produced.

In the early goings of the game sales will be slow and profits minute but, players will have options to help them progress toward mass production. Players familiar with Capitalism II may find this slimmed down version of a similar theme enjoyable.

The Game

As you sell more and more paper pinchers you will gain capital. The game gives you a few useful tools that you can acquire to expand your business. Players will have access to auto clippers which produce paper clips auto-magically, eliminating the need for another tedious click. You can also invest in marketing campaigns to improve your sales.
The game is played in stages and while the game starts out simple and basic it progresses into the bizarre. The game is not only a management sim but, it also has a story. I will not spoil any of the game’s surprises here but, let’s just say it takes a trip to the strange end of town before things are over. None the less the game twists and turns force you to make difficult resource management choices calculating risk versus reward. These scenarios are fun and provide a bit of depth in what could have been a flat game.

The Drawbacks

The one area where the game can get a bit frustrating is there some portions of the game leave the player with nothing to do. Not that you ever, run out of options but, only that your run out of strategically beneficial options. There are times in the game where the best thing you can do is nothing. In these moments, the game becomes as a boring as it title sounds. Also, the game is also not exactly a technical marvel. There are a few bugs in the game that can force you not only to start your game over from the beginning but, to re-install the whole game.

Conclusion

Luckily, these complications are rarely a factor. For the most part Universal Paperclips is charming and a bit more complex than most player would expect. It won’t rival PC legends like The Patrician series or Industry Giant II in terms of complexity but, the game is a pleasant surprise. The game is a pleasant surprise.

Pros

• Great next click gameplay
• Humorously written
• A good challenge

Cons

• Poorly paced
• A buggy affair