Treasure Hunter Simulator Review: Digging up a Diamond?

Treasure Hunter Simulator is a game which managed to be surprising in a few different ways. Firstly it’s use of the term ‘simulator‘, isn’t just a sly ploy to get noticed on the Steam release charts. Treasure Hunter Simulator is actually a simulation of what it would be like to be a treasure hunter. At least in the most mundane way possible.

The second big surprise provided by Treasure Hunter Simulator is that it is both an amazing and boring at the same time. It has taken a phrase which usually conjures up excitement and adventure, and have bought it down to a mundane level. That doesn’t necessarily need to be a bad thing, but it will certainly only appeal to the right sort of person.

There’s Gold in Them Hills

In Treasure Hunter Simulator you play as a professional treasure hunter. You go all around the world, visiting exotic locations and digging up little pieces of history. Armed with a metal detector, a PDA and a shovel you conquer the historical antiques market.

Most of the gameplay is focused on exploring the different environments, busting out your detector whenever you get a notification. Then you walk around until you get a hit and dig up the item. Repeat that another 5000 times and you’ve completed the game!

In all seriousness there is more to it than just walking and digging. You get missions via e-mail from different companies who reward you with new locations and higher prestige. These missions are usually to find something, but you do also get asked to take specific pictures or find the fastest route between two points.

Shutter Bug

The camera and travelling missions do help to add some spice to the starch of the gameplay, but not much. The travel missions are basically just timed foot races, without telling you a time limit. On top of that a lot of the time they don’t specifically say where you need to go. Trying to figure out where ‘through the mountains’ means for example, can leave you scratching your head.

The camera missions are a little better but still have their problems. You’re asked to take pictures of landmarks or specific flora in the world. As you approach it you’ll find a floating camera icon hovering over where you’re supposed to take the picture.

Trying to take the picture can be a bit fiddly. Even when you’re pointing right at what you’re supposed to take a picture of it might not register. The camera beeps sometimes when you point it in a certain spot, possibly as a way of saying you’re in the right place. The issue is that even taking a picture of that spot doesn’t actually seem to work sometimes.

It’s also slightly disappointing that there doesn’t seem to be a way of taking pictures of the environments and saving them for later. Sure you could use the Steam screenshot function, but who wants all that GUI in the way? Surely for a game set in such picturesque locations saving photos should have been a no-brainer.

Sit Back, Relax

Finally we can get to the true redeeming feature of Treasure Hunter Simulator. It is easily one of the most relaxing experiences you’re likely to find out there. There are 11 locations, each with different scenery types but each beautifully crafted.

You explore nature as laid back music plays. You take some photos of the wilderness as you bolster your funds and jet around the world. Visiting far flung locations all from the comfort of your own home. Let out a deep breath and sink even further into your seat.

The relaxation on offer in Treasure Hunter Simulator is pretty stunning, but it does provide it’s own special problems. While the game is immensely relaxing it does suffer from lacklustre levels of engagement. It feels like the game is missing something, maybe a more active cleaning process?

Not For Everyone

Regardless of its issues Treasure Hunter Simulator is an interesting experience and will appeal to the right people. It is filled with historical facts and a laid back atmosphere. If you’re into history and like a peaceful time than this is the game for you. If you’re looking for a deeper experience you’ll probably want to give it a miss.

Pros

• Super relaxing
• Looks beautiful
• 11 huge maps

Cons

• Can be boring at times
• Some missions are poorly explained
• No way to save pictures

Conclusion

Treasure Hunter Simulator is a relaxing but ultimately frustrating experience. It is filled with beautiful scenery but it’s gameplay leaves a fair amount to be desired. It will please history fans in places, but ultimately it’s just missing something to make it a great game.