[h1]Big Ambitions is great — but the retail real-estate market needs to feel alive[/h1]
First of all, I really love this game.
I have played [b]200+ hours of Big Ambitions[/b] and reached the stage where I am buying properties, managing around 12 businesses and working with tens of millions of dollars. So this feedback comes from someone who has experienced the early game, mid game and what I consider the current endgame.
The progression is one of my favorite parts of the game. Growing from a small business into a large company feels great. The furniture/store-design systems are excellent, and I really like the planned parts of the economy: fixed brands, properties and products, as well as the fact that you cannot simply buy everything from one central location. The supply system gives the world much more character.
The [b]private driver[/b] was also an excellent addition. I would love to see more vehicle variety in the future, both functionally and aesthetically.
[h2]The biggest problem: the retail real-estate market feels static[/h2]
After reaching the late game, this is the issue that stands out to me the most.
In my current playthrough, I am around [b]200 in-game days[/b] in, and some retail properties that were available at the beginning are still available. The same opportunities seem to remain open, and the market does not appear to react much to what happens around the city.
This feels strange for a game set in New York.
If a neighborhood has high unmet demand for a profitable business, why am I the only investor capable of recognizing that opportunity?
[h2]The city needs competition[/h2]
I don't think the solution is simply adding more properties. I think the market itself needs to become more dynamic.
If I don't satisfy a profitable demand, [b]another investor should eventually try to satisfy it[/b].
That could create a natural cycle:
[b]High demand → AI investment → competition → lower unmet demand → changing profitability → businesses relocate/close → new opportunities.[/b]
This would make the city feel alive instead of feeling like a collection of opportunities waiting exclusively for the player.
It would also create something the game currently lacks: [b]real price competition[/b].
If an AI competitor opens the same business next to mine, I should have to react. Lower prices, improve service, increase marketing, change products, relocate, expand or close.
[h2]Small and medium businesses could solve the accessibility problem[/h2]
I understand the danger of making the market too dynamic: large AI investors could potentially take every good property before the player gets there.
But this could be solved through different scales of investors.
Small and medium properties could have much higher turnover, while the largest properties could be dominated by major AI companies. A new entrepreneur would start small and gradually gain access to larger opportunities.
That would make becoming a major investor feel much more meaningful.
Right now, the player can almost become a monopoly simply because [b]the rest of the market does not react[/b].
[h2]More dynamic events[/h2]
I also think the game could benefit from events that affect businesses and properties: municipal inspections, temporary closures, legal disputes, building problems, zoning issues, bankruptcies, businesses being sold or investors relocating.
A simple legal system could even allow larger companies to need lawyers or legal infrastructure. For example, a business could be temporarily closed because of a legal dispute while the owner continues paying certain costs until a decision is reached.
These events would create unexpected situations and make the late game much less predictable.
[h2]Overall[/h2]
Despite this criticism, I want to emphasize that [b]I really love Big Ambitions[/b].
This is not a negative review from someone who disliked the game. I am making this suggestion because I have spent 200+ hours playing it and can see how much potential the game has.
The progression, business management, customization, economy and supply systems are all very enjoyable. The game already does an excellent job of making the player feel like a businessman.
[b]I think the next step is making the entire city feel like it is full of businessmen too.[/b]
I don't want the city to simply provide opportunities for me.
[b]I want the city to compete with me.[/b]
I want other investors to see the same opportunities I see. I want businesses to open, compete, change prices, relocate, get sold and sometimes fail.
Most importantly, I want to start a new game and not feel like I am going to rent exactly the same properties and exploit exactly the same opportunities every time.
[b]Big Ambitions already has an excellent foundation. Making the market more dynamic, competitive and volatile could make the endgame dramatically better and much more replayable.[/b]
Thank you to the developers for an incredible game. I genuinely hope you keep expanding these systems, because Big Ambitions has enormous potential.
