As if that wasn't hard enough, the latest update (opens in new tab) to Early Access city builder "Workers & Resources: Soviet Republics" (opens in new tab) has made running a planned economy even more of a headache The latest update (opens in new tab) to the "Resource: Soviet Republics" (opens in new tab) has made the operation of a planned economy even more of a headache. Yesterday's content update added a "surreal mode" to an already fairly realistic game. This means that building superpower status will require even more careful management of various resources.

The new mode completely removes "all options to purchase goods and vehicles in the facility," and money can no longer be spent to rush construction. All materials - those to be built, those to be refined, and the necessary vehicles - will have to be painstakingly transported from customs at the border to where they are needed, without the help of infrastructure or materials that "magically appear."

If you thought "workers and resources" was hardcore enough, don't worry: it's optional, so only true stakhanovites (open in new tab) need apply.

To complement the new realistic mode, the game has also added realistic borders. Up until now, the "Workers and Resources" map was all perfect squares, as if a cadre of Marxist guerrillas had seized power in Wyoming, but now you will be able to operate within a gross mishmash of borders that are more like the actual borders of the former Eastern Bloc. The game's developers have even created a map called Slovakia to show what can be done with the new border system.

Finally, this update adds trams and metro stations to the game's big long list of things to worry about. Trams were already somewhat buildable, but they were a bit of a cheat since they use the same sturdy infrastructure as a proper railroad. With this update, the city will be able to move its citizens around in a more serious way by laying light rail in the city and installing streetcar stops. The metro is fairly similar, but the depth of the underground line can be adjusted, allowing for the construction of a station with a depth comparable to Kiev's Arsenalna station (open in new tab).

Despite being probably the most "me-like" game ever made, I have spent very little time on Workers & Resources so far. Rather than dabble in updates, I'd rather wait for the Early Access to end and enjoy it in all its glory. That said, I find myself wanting to activate these features whenever they appear. It's only a matter of time before I'm immersed in Leningrad's virtual model.