Township

Township is a game that blends farming and city building, and the combination turns out to be a very comfortable one. You begin with a few fields and a small patch of land, grow crops such as wheat and corn, and use the harvest to feed animals and supply factories. The goods you produce are sold or used to fulfil orders, and the money you earn lets the town expand.

The loop is easy to understand. Plant a crop, wait for it to grow, harvest it, and use it to make something more valuable. A field of wheat becomes feed for chickens, the eggs go to a bakery, and the bakery makes bread that you can sell or send to a customer. As you level up, you unlock new buildings, such as a dairy, a sugar mill and a jewellery workshop, and the town starts to resemble a living place instead of a farm.

Beyond farming, Township asks you to design your town. You place houses, shops, a school, a hospital and decorations, and you can arrange them to your own taste. Residents need services, and their happiness shapes how your town grows. There is also a mine, a zoo and an airport with trading, which keep the game fresh for months after you start.

Because there is no way to lose, the game suits relaxed players. The challenge is organisation rather than danger. Beginners should keep their fields planted before they log off, choose crops with longer growth times for when they will be away, and avoid spending the premium currency on small things. Joining a co-op, a group of players who help each other, speeds up progress and adds a social side.

The graphics are bright, and the animations are charming, with little animals and workers moving about. The game works best with an internet connection and includes ads and optional purchases, which some players find a little insistent. Setting a spending limit is sensible, especially if children play.

Another reason the game lasts is the steady stream of goals. Orders from the town, tasks from residents and seasonal events always give you something to aim for, so you rarely feel lost about what to do next. When you return after a few days away, your crops and factories will be waiting, which makes it easy to resume without any penalty.

If you enjoy a gentle rhythm of planting, producing and decorating, it is a good choice for a daily few minutes, and the town you build will quickly feel like your own.