Midwest 90: Rapid City

Midwest 90: Rapid City is a tycoon simulation about running a business under pressure. The player builds, optimises and expands a roadside diner set in the 1990s, in a local economy that is falling apart. The diner’s main ingredient is monster meat. The game is currently in early access.

The core gameplay covers menu development, staffing and operations. Players research and develop dishes from harvested monster ingredients and design menus around customer behaviour, buffs and risk. Additives such as missourite can be used to raise profits, though they may also cause side effects. Players hire and prepare staff, balance supply chains, pricing and customer satisfaction, and decide whether to prioritise margins, safety or reputation. The diner can be expanded to improve efficiency and scale up operations.

Defence is treated as part of the diner’s running costs. Monsters launch unpredictable incursions each night, and players set traps and prepare defences to protect customers, staff and infrastructure. Business decisions also affect Rapid City, and players can choose to support or exploit the community. The game features a branching narrative with grounded characters, and the story involves uncovering the truth behind the monster outbreak.