{"id":185717,"date":"2022-03-14T10:43:41","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T09:43:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=185717"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:53:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:53:36","slug":"drill-deal-oil-tycoon-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/drill-deal-oil-tycoon-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Drill Deal Oil Tycoon review | Sea simulation game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Drill Deal Oil Tycoon<\/a> is a business simulation game<\/strong> developed by A2 Softworks and published by Manager Games S.A. and Red Dev Studio S.A. on March 9, 2022. It sets you as a manager of a small oil rig<\/strong> in the oceans that you can expand with more platforms. There are different levels and environments, each more challenging than the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are a few fun elements to the game, it certainly is challenging<\/strong>. You\u2019ll need to be strategic with the economic aspects while fending off dangers from the seas. Read more about what it\u2019s like to play in the Drill Deal Oil Tycoon review below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drill Deal Oil Tycoon story<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The heart of Drill Deal Oil Tycoon is the campaign. It takes you through various levels you\u2019ll need to complete to unlock others. Each one has a set mission<\/strong>, but let\u2019s look at what the theme is like overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drilling for Oil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The primary storyline features you as the manager of an oil rig<\/strong> in the middle of the ocean. You\u2019ll need to drill for oil<\/strong>, place it in barrels, and then sell it to the highest bidders<\/strong>. However, you\u2019ll need to keep different aspects running smoothly, striking a balance between all of them for fear of failing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll start small, but eventually, you can build several platforms<\/strong> with pipes and tunnels between them. There are also obstacles and opponents to deal with, such as mines, bad weather, and pirates. The only way to win is to survive the tide and become the best business strategist on the high seas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drill<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Trading is the way of life<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need money if you want to succeed<\/strong> while keeping your employees satisfied. There are several contracts you can engage with, with a distinction between short and long-term contracts<\/strong>. Your priority is to ensure that you have the goods available <\/strong>so that there\u2019s a daily income to cover your expenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of Drill Deal Oil Tycoon\u2019s story, you gain and lose reputation<\/strong> based on if you can meet the contract requirements. Should you fail to deliver to the trade ships, you\u2019ll lose reputation points. It means that other companies won\u2019t want to do business with you until you raise it to a specific level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping your workers happy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The drill platforms will come to a standstill if your employees are unhappy<\/strong>. Part of being the manager is ensuring that all their needs are met<\/strong>. When you\u2019re in the middle of an ocean with a hardy crew that wants some entertainment, it can be challenging to fulfill. It can be easy to lose in Drill Deal Oil Tycoon if you neglect this aspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drill<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How long to play Drill Deal Oil Tycoon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tutorial<\/strong> takes about 20 minutes<\/strong>, but the other stages take much longer. Also, it depends on how well you manage your platform, trades, buildings, and employees. It can easily stretch between 10 and 20 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drill Deal Oil Tycoon gameplay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the general idea presented to you, let\u2019s head to the gameplay mechanics<\/strong> of this Drill Deal Oil Tycoon review. I\u2019ve already hinted at a few of them, but it\u2019s essential that I go into more detail so you can see how complicated it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to play Drill Deal Oil Tycoon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, Drill Deal Oil Tycoon is a business simulator<\/strong> that starts with a tutorial<\/strong>. Trust me; you\u2019re going to need it. There are so many elements you need to focus on, it will become daunting at first. It\u2019s similar to TV Empire Tycoon<\/a> <\/strong>and Two Point Hospital<\/strong><\/a>, specifically regarding how much you\u2019ll need to plan to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even with one playthrough, I was slightly confused about how to proceed with the first level and failed almost instantly. It\u2019s not the tutorial’s fault, though. It shows you everything you need to know. It\u2019s the strategy — behind mastering the various elements<\/strong>–that’s challenging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drill<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Different levels and modes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are mainly two different modes<\/strong> in Drill Deal Oil Tycoon. You\u2019ll begin with the Campaign<\/strong> mode<\/strong> as the only one available for the time being. When you reach one of the later maps, you\u2019ll unlock Sandbox mode<\/strong> where you can build and trade to your heart\u2019s desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each map serves as a stage. As you progress through the maps, the challenges and missions<\/strong> become harder to achieve. It will also take longer to complete. Within the game, you can level up the platform<\/strong> by adding and upgrading buildings, which unlocks new tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A challenging beginning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Going back to the difficulty in my Drill Deal Oil Tycoon review, the first level will push your strategic thinking<\/strong> to its limits. The main reason is that it\u2019s a new game you need to become used to. There are so many aspects to manage from the start already, and it only becomes more challenging after that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as you have a handle on one element, the next thing goes wrong. You\u2019ll need to stay on your toes every step of the way to ensure the business runs smoothly<\/strong>. The most challenging aspect is making sure you make more money than you lose <\/strong>while keeping your staff happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technological trees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One aspect I loved in Drill Deal Oil Tycoon is the technological research<\/strong>. There are four divisions<\/strong>, and you\u2019ll sometimes stress about which one to focus on first. The categories include production, maintenance, employee care, and employees<\/strong>. You\u2019ll need funds to unlock research, but there may also be platform-level limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drill<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Various buildings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find three categories of buildings<\/strong> available in your construction hub. They deal with production, social interaction, and other types of facilities. There\u2019s limited space on your platform at first in Drill Deal Oil Tycoon, but you\u2019ll have more in later stages. Also, you\u2019ll need to repair them, as daily use wears them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I did find some buildings to be out of place. For instance, the workshop was in the social panel, which I would think should either go to the production or other tabs. Other than that, I enjoyed unlocking the facilities<\/strong> and learning how to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Managing your staff<\/strong> is probably one of the more challenging aspects of Drill Deal Oil Tycoon. Firstly, you\u2019ll need to check what skills they have<\/strong> when you hire them so you know where you can assign them. There are spots in buildings for day and night shifts<\/strong>, which is quite innovative, I feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to watch the requirement meters<\/strong>, much like in Sims 4<\/strong><\/a>. They\u2019ll become tired, hungry, and bored<\/strong>. There are specific buildings that can help fulfill these needs, such as sleeping quarters, a buffet station, and cinemas or other entertainment buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One element I loved when it came to the employees are the names. You can tell they\u2019re based on real people<\/strong>, such as Clint Westwood for Clint Eastwood. It was good for a chuckle, at least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drill<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

User interface<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The developer did an incredible job making the user interface neat and easy to use<\/strong>. When you first see all the panels on the top, bottom, and sides, you may frown in confusion. Play for a few hours, and you\u2019ll know exactly where to click for your actions. The tutorial helps learn the basics<\/strong>, but you\u2019ll master all of them soon enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combat mechanics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll be surprised to hear that there\u2019s some form of combat<\/strong> in Drill Deal Oil Tycoon. You\u2019ll face pirates, mines, and other obstacles in different stages. As you advance, you\u2019ll unlock turrets and other platform weapons you can use to shoot at them<\/strong>. The weapons do most of the work for you, but you\u2019ll need to be prepared for when they arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gameplay performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Drill Deal Oil Tycoon doesn\u2019t use too many system resources, and the minimum and recommended requirements<\/strong> are quite low compared to other games published this year. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n