Review: The Executive | Steam

Lights, Camera, Tycoon Action!

Ever fancied yourself as the next big Hollywood mogul? The Executive puts you in the director’s chair of your very own film studio, starting in the groovy 1970s with nothing but ambition and a dream. I’ve spent countless hours wheeling and dealing in this addictive simulation, and I’m chuffed to bits with just how engrossing the whole experience is.

Starting as a humble assistant in the cut-throat world of cinema, you’ll quickly learn that making movies isn’t just about creative vision – it’s about juggling budgets, keeping temperamental stars happy, and riding the waves of public opinion. The game brilliantly captures that balance between artistry and business that defines the real film industry.

What I absolutely love about The Executive is how your journey unfolds through the decades. You’ll start making low-budget films with unknown actors before gradually working your way up to massive productions with A-list celebrities (or rather, brilliantly named parodies like “Wugo Heaving”). Each era brings new technologies and challenges – from the rise of television to the boom of home video – keeping the gameplay fresh as you expand your empire.

The core gameplay loop is properly satisfying. Choose your genre and theme, hire the perfect cast and crew, allocate your budget across pre and post-production, then nervously await the critics’ verdict. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing your passion project smash the box office after careful planning!

Beyond just making films, you’ll need to manage your office staff, research new genres, negotiate distribution deals, and keep an eye on industry trends. The attention to detail is impressive – your employees even have personality types that affect how well they work together.
Yes, there’s a learning curve here. The tutorial covers the basics, but some mechanics require a bit of trial and error to fully grasp. This isn’t a criticism though – figuring out what makes a blockbuster through experimentation is half the fun!

The Executive isn’t visually flashy – it’s more spreadsheets than special effects – but that’s perfectly fitting for a management sim where you’re rarely on the actual film set. The minimalist graphics do their job while the light, cinematic background music sets just the right tone without becoming annoying.

While I did encounter a few minor bugs, they didn’t detract from what is a genuinely absorbing experience. My only real gripe is that the game eventually ends without warning (around 2020 in-game), rather than letting you continue building your cinematic empire indefinitely. There were two patch updates during my playtime which seems to fix any issues that I came across.

If you’re even slightly interested in films or tycoon games, The Executive deserves a place in your Steam library. It’s accessible enough for newcomers while offering plenty of depth for simulation veterans. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a sci-fi epic in pre-production that needs my attention!