The concept reminds me of No Man’s Sky, a vast procedurally generated universe of planets with not a whole lot going on. The consensus seems to be it was way too empty at launch, but with the subsequent content additions I have some friends that enjoy it now. Still seems risky.
gradientsrneat•9mo ago
To each their own. I love a mechanics-heavy game from time to time, but (and this is not NMS-specific) sometimes I want a more laid-back experience and/or just appreciate the game engine.
That's not to say there can't be both. The real disappointments for me are high base system requirements, lack of modding support, and lack of native Linux support. They are related. IMO a sandbox really shines when it maximizes the creative potential of its users, to the extent the engine's computational limitations allow for it.
andybak•9mo ago
I miss early NMS in many ways. The emptiness lent it a poignant feel that complemented the narrative.
There's more to do now, but it came at a cost.
gradientsrneat•9mo ago
If you were intrigued by the prospect of riding on public transit through a city, there is a game called 4Ever Transit Authority which is literally just that.
The sense I got from the video was very much what I (we?) expected, in the late 1990s, from the virtual reality that was "just around the corner". Glad it's (almost!) here in 2025.
Still very cool!
The Matrix has you, Neo ...
Tallain•9mo ago
This is pretty much how I play GTA V. I have a Self Radio playlist for a specific vibe. Hop in a random car and cruise around the city, get distracted by some event, cause a little mayhem and escape if I'm in the mood, and keep cruising. Like the Truck Simulator games, it's a good way to go for a drive without actually needing to go for a drive (so less exhausting, wasteful, and dangerous).
microtherion•9mo ago
When my oldest son was very young, he enjoyed watching me play GTA IV in a style that involved cruising around the city, observing all traffic laws (he got quite upset if I bumped another traffic participant or ran a red light), and hopping into random stores to try on various outfits.
dr_kiszonka•9mo ago
I never got into GTA, but I enjoyed playing one of the Mafia games that way. I remember loving the classic cars, the views, and the atmosphere.
Tade0•9mo ago
This reminds me of Rambalac[0] - a YouTube channel where a guy just walks around various places in Japan (mostly Tokyo) and records it all in 4k+ HDR. No music, no commentary.
These videos have been incredibly relaxing to watch. I first discovered them when my newborn would wake up in the middle of the night and I'd watch those videos, half asleep, with her slowly dozing off on top of me. Excellent stuff.
accrual•9mo ago
I've been following the creator on TikTok for a while as they implemented new features into the city to help bring it to life. Maps and the ability to select a destination and ride there is pretty new, IIRC. It's cool to see this on HN today!
cosmicgadget•9mo ago
Well the text says there are inhabitants. It might otherwise feel like an impossibly large Myst.
alcover•9mo ago
I wonder how procedural it is - and really what procedural is. Is it that, at some scale, say apartment in a building, there is a polygone'd model - the apartment - and an apartment is only generated and rendered (with some randomness) when you enter it ?
omneity•9mo ago
Being alone in this vast city gave me a certain feeling of unease. Reminds me of Stargate episodes where they would find an advanced civilization devoid of life, only to discover they got wiped out in a mysteriously terrible fashion.
IshKebab•9mo ago
I have yet to see anything procedurally generated that wasn't boring.
dcrazy•9mo ago
gradientsrneat•9mo ago
That's not to say there can't be both. The real disappointments for me are high base system requirements, lack of modding support, and lack of native Linux support. They are related. IMO a sandbox really shines when it maximizes the creative potential of its users, to the extent the engine's computational limitations allow for it.
andybak•9mo ago
There's more to do now, but it came at a cost.