What Makes Schedule 1 So Addictive? Inside the Wildest $20 You'll Spend on Steam

Schedule 1 Is Breaking Bad Meets Bob's Burgers – And We Can't Stop Playing It

You ever boot up a game and suddenly it’s 2 AM and you’ve accidentally built a drug empire? Yeah, welcome to Schedule 1. This indie title didn’t just kick down the door — it kicked it in, flipped your couch, and asked if you’ve got any Rizla. It’s bold, it’s brash, and it’s bloody brilliant in a way that only early-access chaos can be.

Now before you clutch your pearls — no, Schedule 1 isn’t promoting drugs. It’s a satire, a sim, a sandbox where you’re less Walter White and more sketchy geezer in a hoodie selling edibles behind a Greggs. But here’s the kicker — despite its dodgy subject matter, it’s fun. Like, “just one more deal” kind of fun. Like “accidentally skipping dinner” kind of fun.

First Hit's Free: The Gameplay Loop Is Madness

The core loop is criminally good. You start off with a fiver and a dream, grabbing gear from the local hardware store (because where else would you buy your hydroponics gear?) before making your first shady pickup from a dealer who looks like he’s been awake since 2011.

Each drug type you grow, pack, and sell has its own flavor — some make punters chill, others send them floating like stoned Mary Poppins. You’ll plant, water, harvest, and package until your RSI kicks in. Then, it kicks up a notch — you're negotiating deals on burner phones, ghosting dodgy customers, setting up pick-up points in alleyways, and dodging the police like you're in a Snatch sequel.

From Weedling to Kingpin

As you grow, you go from bagging eighths yourself to running a full-on cartel. Hire staff. Buy shady real estate. Mix custom drug cocktails (Viagra-laced uppers, anyone?). Launder money through fake businesses. It’s basically SimCity for criminals.

Then comes the real joy: automation. Once you set up your crew, they handle the grunt work. You? You sit back and admire the empire. Like digital Pablo, if Pablo had Steam achievements and a flair for packaging.

A World That Feels Lived-In (Barely)

The city itself is weirdly immersive. NPCs wander, mutter nonsense, look properly wrecked, and provide just enough humanity to make the world feel alive. Sort of. Because while Schedule 1 nails the vibe, it also feels a bit like a town post-apocalypse. Quiet streets, static scenery, and the occasional performance hiccup remind you this is still early access.

It’s not a Cyberpunk 2077 mess, mind you, but it ain’t Red Dead Redemption either. More like a back alley that’s halfway through being gentrified.

Visuals: LSD Bob's Burgers

Graphically? Think cartoonish. Blocky. Rough around the edges, but purposefully so. It has a distinctive style — like Bob’s Burgers if Tina started dealing Molly. It’s not going for realism. It’s going for attitude, and in that sense, it absolutely nails it.

Still, the lighting’s flat, the animations are stiff, and you’ll notice the world feels a bit... quiet. Like “after a bender” quiet. No rustling trees. No rats. No bin bags blowing in the wind. You’d expect a dodgy estate full of noise — but instead you get peaceful silence. Almost suspicious.

Sound: A Vibe Half-Formed

The soundtrack? Slaps. Moody, murky, and sleazy in the best way. When it hits, it hits hard. Perfect for a curfew run while dodging coppers.

But when the music stops? Oof. You’re left with bare-bones audio: basic footsteps, an occasional phone buzz, and that’s it. Where are the angry dealers shouting? Sirens? A random scuffle? It needs more life. Or death. Or something in between.

The $20 Question

So, is it worth it?

Hell yes.

For $20, you’re getting one of the most chaotic, creative, and compelling games of the year — and it’s not even finished yet. It’s got bugs. It’s got holes. But it’s also got charm pouring out of its bloodshot eyeballs.

This isn’t some gimmick game about dealing drugs. This is a carefully crafted sim full of systems, progression, and moments of sheer joy. It's got the loop — that magic sauce that keeps you saying “just one more drop-off.”

If the dev keeps pumping updates into it like punters chasing a high, Schedule 1 could genuinely become the next big indie sensation.

Land of Geek Rating: 8.5/10

Despite a few rough edges, Schedule 1 is one of the most unexpectedly addictive games we've played this year. It’s got heart, hustle, and heaps of dodgy charm. The gameplay loop? Chef’s kiss. It's early access done right — raw but rewarding. We’re hooked.

✅ Pros

• Ridiculously addictive gameplay loop – once you're in, you're in.
• Unique and edgy premise – drug-dealing sim done with dark humor and grit.
• Lots of systems to master – farming, packaging, mixing, laundering, and more.
• Bold, memorable art style – think Saturday morning cartoons on acid.
• Empire-building feels satisfying and smart – automation and crew management are a blast.

❌ Cons

• World feels too quiet and static – lacking ambient life and chaos.
• Basic visuals and lighting – some areas feel flat and lifeless.
• Audio design needs more grit – missing environmental sounds and immersion.
• Some mini-games feel shallow – could use more variety and polish.
• Occasional performance hiccups – stutters and minor bugs here and there.

Schedule 1 is a game you’ll start out of curiosity and end up bingeing like a Netflix true crime doc. It’s edgy without being juvenile, funny without trying too hard, and manages to balance absurdity with surprisingly deep mechanics. There’s work to be done, sure — the world needs more noise, more chaos, more grime — but even in its current state, it’s already a mad little masterpiece.

Stay on the grind with more indie gems and criminally good games right here at Land of Geek Magazine!

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