This review was published when the game was in v0.6.22 (likely to get updates in the future).
Theme: The COVID-19 Pandemic. Executed well with layers and upgrades referencing terms related to it (even if some are original), but it's so exaggerated it doesn't come across as grim.
Gameplay and core mechanics: At first, you build up cases each second and can reset for virus points once you have enough of them for upgrades. You soon unlock lower layers like infectivity and replicators that come with their own upgrades and effects, and then there are layers with challenges, buyables, and minigame-like mechanics. Think a remade version of Antimatter Dimensions, a tree where you need to choose between specific upgrades or the resource spent on them based on what's most beneficial, two challenging modes which provide their own resource based on how many cases you get, a roulette... But the part with the new tree where you have to switch between the main and remixed layers really shines in terms of how it transforms the way you play.
Balancing and difficulty: Fairly slow and difficult. There are several points where you'll really need to grind and come up with a good enough setup to progress. The part with the remixed layers requires frequent switching to check whether you are able to progress. Some milestones require you to perform a specific reset within a certain amount of time, demanding a fast computer and fingers. When you get to the roulette, make sure to export when you win and import when you lose to keep the win streak and gains going (it's not cheating if the in-game options allow for it).
Content on offer: Long. Beating the game should take over a week. Nine main layers which increase in size (the first six are small to average, the seventh is large, the eighth is huge, and the ninth is immense), plus six remixed ones and 200+ achievements.
Polish and miscellaneous additions: There's a news system, but the messages aren't exactly relevant to what's happening in-game and stop working altogether. You can adjust the update rate if you want a more consistent performance (I stuck to the usual 50ms because my computer can handle it, but it's there in case you need it as there are many processes running at once and the game doesn't remove them). You can check the Cases Representation tab to see what your amount of cases compares to, and these can get really impressive, so make sure to check it often. There are several selectable notations in case you find the default one with the es and Fs unsatisfactory. No way to toggle the white node glow, which is a bit annoying since resetting the early layers past a certain point really doesn't mean anything.
The game may be a bit aggravating at points, but I think it's worth sticking around for the interesting mechanics or to see just how impressive the virus can get and how a tree that uses F notation yet doesn't really inflate the numbers feels.
VideoGame This tree only has the fun (and some frustration) virus (v0.6.22)
This review was published when the game was in v0.6.22 (likely to get updates in the future).
The game may be a bit aggravating at points, but I think it's worth sticking around for the interesting mechanics or to see just how impressive the virus can get and how a tree that uses F notation yet doesn't really inflate the numbers feels.
Overall rank: B (Good)