Although I understand the appeal of Schedule 1, after trying it for myself, I found that it couldn't hold my attention the same way similar games have. Now, to be clear, when I say I "tried" Schedule 1, I don't mean I picked it up once and gave up on it. I have 18 hours in the game, split almost evenly between multiplayer and a single-player save file. I can still enjoy the game when playing with friends, since we find ways to make our own fun. However, playing on my own has already lost its appeal.

Initially, I thought Schedule 1 would the ranks of games like Stardew Valley and the Harvest Moon series, which have both managed to keep me playing for hundreds of hours. However, while the basic idea of growing a business - albeit a more illicit kind - remains intact in Schedule 1, I couldn't help but notice it was lacking much of anything else. While Schedule 1 has plenty of charm, it failed to hold my interest due to its lack of substance.

Schedule 1 Lacks Activities Other Than Dealing

Schedule 1 Barely Has Anything To Do That Isn't Directly Connected To Just Making Money

The early hours of Schedule 1 did a good job engaging me with its basic gameplay loop. Forced to start my drug empire fresh in a new town, I had a lot to focus on as I got set up. Moving from the motel to the room over Mrs. Ming's restaurant, and eventually to the Bungalow kept me pretty busy. Most of my digital days were full of tending to my plants, meticulously bagging my products, and making deliveries to NPCs. However, the more streamlined my business became, the less fun I started to have with this basic pattern.

After moving to the barn, having my plants fully automated, and most of my customers being served by dealers, I started to notice the lack of content in Schedule 1 that didn't have to do with simply managing my business. Sure, the townsfolk are cute, they have slightly different personalities, and their preferences for my products are wide-ranging. However, I couldn't really interact with them in any meaningful way.

In other games built around similar gameplay loops, there are at least enough outside activities to keep my interest, since my business requires less of my attention each day. Stardew Valley lets you develop relationships, both romantic and platonic, and has the mines to explore. Animal Crossing: New Horizons lets you customize your island and create fun environments to live in. Schedule 1 doesn't have many activities that aren't centered around simply making more money, which ultimately loses its appeal when there's nothing to do but watch numbers go up or play Egg Run for the millionth time.

Schedule 1 Doesn't Deliver On Its Promise Of A Rival Cartel

The Benzies Family Never Reappear After Destroying Your RV

Another disappointing aspect of Schedule 1 was its failure to deliver on its exciting premise. Shortly after arriving in Hyland Point, your RV is blown up by the Benzies Family, a powerful drug cartel that doesn't want you moving in on their territory. This had me worried about what might happen as my empire continued to grow. I figured I was safe just operating out of my motel room and dealing to a few locals, but as my empire expanded, surely the Benzies would take notice.

In anticipation of their retaliation, I walked around with a baseball bat - which I found on the basketball court of all places - for most of the early game. Once I gained access to the warehouse, I bought a revolver to replace my bat, sure that as I started recruiting dealers, I would find myself on the Benzies Family radar. However, even as my empire continued to grow, and I began dealing more substances to more people, nothing happened.

I was disappointed to learn that the Benzies Family are not currently an actual part of the game, besides their initial attack on your RV. I had hoped their involvement would add a little spice to Schedule 1's gameplay, and introduce a new challenge once I started gaining traction. Unfortunately, aside from the game lacking content, it also plateaued in difficulty rather early on.

Schedule 1 Stops Being A Challenge After A While

Schedule 1 Is Easy To Navigate Without Running Into Trouble

Early on, I felt the pressure to be constantly managing my time in Schedule 1, especially when playing on my own. I would be frantically bagging up some of my OG Kush, knowing I often had to run out and deliver it as soon as I was done. However, as conveniences like the upgraded bagging station and fully-automated grow tents gave me more time, making my deliveries on time became easy.

The police in Schedule 1 are also laughably incompetent. I will see two or three of them walk by my open front door, with a full view of my meth lab, and simply keep walking. I consistently drive around town with my trunk and pockets full of drugs, and I rarely get in trouble. Even when I do, the police are easy to avoid by ducking into some alleys, or launching myself into the sky with the bus stop jumping glitch.

Although I was disappointed that my love of Schedule 1's gameplay was so short-lived, that isn't to say the game can't recapture my interest. It still has good bones, and I find its visual style goofy and appealing. With some time and effort, I wouldn't be surprised to find myself back in Hyland Point once some changes are implemented.

Schedule 1 Could Still Improve

Schedule 1 Is Currently Just In Early Access

I'm trying not to judge Schedule 1 too harshly in its current state. It is, after all, still in early access. Given the game's popularity, I would be surprised if things stagnate where they are, and this becomes one of those projects that languishes in early access without ever seeing improvements. I am optimistic that things like the Benzies Family, more competent police, and downtime activities can all still be added to the game eventually.

I may have burned out on Schedule 1 faster than similar games due to its lack of content, but I am still excited to see what developments come in the future. I'm glad I have a solid base for my game set up, so when it comes time to jump back in, I'll be able to experience and enjoy any new changes. That said, until some substantial new content is added, the people of Hyland Point are going to have to look for another dealer.