Focus Knight: Productivity RPG

Would I recommend this game? Yes. It's free, but here's more info to help you make an informed decision: This is obviously very new and has a lot of kinks to work out over the (hopefully) coming patches. What I like: - I like the environment; the RPG element of it really shines through - The NPC system. One of the NPCs in particular sells songs for you to add to your study playlists - The sound track is engaging, energetic, and lacks vocals. (all positives in my opinion) - It is limited activity unlike other study buddy apps. Once you're in focus mode, you'll see the battle (through text) or have it in a minimized state/tucked away. You can't run the focus timer, and continue to engage with the NPC or tweak your character. Needs work: - There is a limited number of areas to focus called interests. This is lacking in execution. So far only allowed four. These are meant to be categories of focus, like for example studying, reading, and so on. However, the four option limit is restrictive for different people's brains, workflows and lives. Secondly, this is set when you're setting up your account, and I have yet to see a place for you to change, or adjust these. --- I would like to be able to add more options, ideally around 10; this could also be a nice level up feature (that maybe it already has??) -- Clearer settings - The main tabs have good instructions, but smaller things like where to get songs for your playlist could be clearer - This game has 3 options for character type, I would like to see more - Cleaner English translation, this is especially a problem when logging in. When setting up the account, it gave me Portuguese only; once the account was created the game defaulted to English with Portuguese in brackets in menus. Making it hard to set up, but little less annoying once in the game itself. - Sizing the app feels clunky, it's do able, but when you're not in a timer more it isn't as smooth. On default it takes up 1/3rd~ of my screen. It opens center screen, but through menu options can be set to the side of monitor. My Issues with this game: - You do need to make an account, which is a little bazar. It doesn't specifically need to be linked to a google account, but it does need you to use an email address. - There are in app purchases, one of which is to change your character --- I am hopeful that you'll be able to earn this "currency" while playing to make the in game purchases as if you'd like to and not wait situation, but I haven't played long enough to see whether this is the case Focus "Game" Mechanics: - Lacks Companionship/Activity: IE. Rusty's Retirement - it plays along the side of your screen, with actions for you to take. This is just a timer, and menu system - Lacks App Blocking: IE. Forest locks you out of your phone. This is just a timer, no enforcement - Includes Sound Track and Ambience: This game has instrumental music you can buy by playing, along with ambient soundscapes. You have the ability to create playlists (plural) of the songs and soundscapes you enjoy. It does need you to play a bit. (I got 18 minutes of sound from one 25 minute study session) - Is Hidable or Stays on top: Runs in the background when tucked away, or you can have it as a small token and timer (token ha light animation/change). Default menu screen takes up around 1/3 of my screen - On off Timer: It defaults to Pomodoro technique with couple of different time options. It doesn't force this study methods breaks, so those are self disciplined (like Forest). It also doesn't reward over-focus (like Forest). Once the session is done, it stops regardless of whether you click back to it. Therefore if you set a timer for 25 minutes, and focus for an additional 15 minutes, you loose out on the addition 15 minutes of gameplay DISCLAIMER: I've at the time of writing this review less than 2h of "gameplay," I might have missed or miss understood something, this is an accurate review for what I have experienced/understood at this time