Polish studio GameFormatic S.A., known for developing simulators and games that combine casual fun with management elements, has once again teamed up with the publisher Frozen Way in order to bring something fresh to the players – a student simulator called Campus Life. This time they decided to throw us straight into the middle of student chaos: lectures, parties, love affairs and the eternal struggle between "I'm going to study" and "I'm going to have a beer". The game was officially released on September 15, 2025 on Steam.
What the game does well
Campus Life has a very nice premise - you create your own student, you choose characteristics, goals and course of study, and you decide whether you want to be a nerd who sleeps in the library or a social butterfly who knows all the parties in town.
The activity system is diverse. You can go to lectures, join student associations, work part-time, decorate your room or simply enjoy the social life of the campus.
The tone of the game is extremely humorous and casual. "Campus Life" does not try to be a serious simulation, but rather a "feel-good" experience that combines light planning and silly situations. Studying, entertainment and social relations are constantly in conflict with each other — just like in real student life.
Visually, the game has a warm, colorful style reminiscent of indie titles. After several delays and public tests, it also received a visual "makeover" - so now the characters and spaces look cleaner and more polished. The music is cheerful and unobtrusive, and the general atmosphere perfectly captures the campus spirit that never sleeps.
Where the game falters
Although the idea has potential, the execution is not without flaws and the game still needs a few patches to shine. Gameplay, although fun at first, can quickly become repetitive. After just a few hours, you start to feel that you are constantly doing the same activities, only with a slightly different context. It is also worth mentioning the unnecessary complexity of turning the camera, which can be better optimized, as well as the UI itself. Sometimes there's just too much going on on the screen and bombards the player with tons of information, especially at the beginning when you're still learning the basics of the game.
The systems of social relations and academic progress seem somewhat shallow. Although you can build friendships and romances, these decisions don't have enough weight to really change the course of the game.
In short – Campus Life she has a good idea, but she needs a little more "student practice" before she passes all the gameplay design exams.
Conclusion
If you like casual simulations and want something light to relax after work (or lectures), Campus Life can be a pleasant surprise. It's charming, witty and has the potential to become a chill hit if the development team irons out the kinks.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a deep, complex simulation with lots of management options and complex relationship systems – you'll likely be disappointed after a few hours.Campus Life is, therefore, a game for those who want a dose of student nostalgia, laughter and a bit of chaos - but without the actual exams and lectures at eight in the morning. Either way, a charming student experiment with potential for growth.
A copy of the game for review purposes ceded by the development studio GameFormatic S.A. and the publisher Frozen Way
