Let me tell you, when I first booted up Jiliwild, I had no idea how deep the reputation system would run through every aspect of gameplay. I remember spending my first few hours just marveling at that beautiful cloud-clearing animation as I uncovered the map, only to hit that frustrating wall - areas blocked off because my submarine couldn't handle them yet. That's when I realized Jiliwild wasn't just another exploration game; it was a carefully crafted ecosystem where every system connects to another in the most satisfying ways.
The local reputation mechanic completely changed how I approach mission completion. Early on, I made the mistake of rushing through missions just to check them off my list. Big mistake. After about 15 hours of playtime, I noticed I was stuck - my submarine couldn't access three different regions because I hadn't built up enough reputation in specific areas. The game doesn't just hand you new equipment; you earn it through consistent performance in each region. What I love is the flexibility - sometimes you need to perfect 2-3 missions, other times you can just complete 5-6 regular ones to hit that reputation threshold. It creates this natural rhythm where you're constantly weighing whether to push for perfection or coverage.
Here's where things get really interesting - the inn system. At first, I thought resting was just a way to heal my party. Boy, was I wrong. Resting became my strategic hub. Not only does it let you cash in reputation for those sweet "bounty" rewards, but it's literally the only way to get your used party members back. I learned this the hard way during my third play session when I found myself with only 2 available robots because I'd been avoiding inn visits to save money. The game cleverly forces you to think about resource management in multiple dimensions - it's not just about completing missions, but doing so efficiently enough that you can maximize reputation gains between rests.
What really struck me about this system is how it encourages building what I call a "deep bench" of robots. In my current save file, I maintain about 12 different specialized robots, each with their own upgrade paths. This diversity lets me tackle 6-8 missions between inn visits, which dramatically increases my reputation accumulation. The beauty is in how Heist 2 layers these systems - reputation gates equipment, equipment unlocks areas, and having multiple robots lets you build reputation faster. It's this wonderfully interconnected loop that keeps me coming back.
I've developed what I call the "70% rule" - I try to maintain at least 70% of my robot roster available at all times. This means I'm resting more frequently than some players might, but the trade-off is worth it. Each inn visit not only refreshes my team but lets me claim those bounty rewards that often include rare submarine parts. Last week, I managed to unlock the depth charger after building my reputation in the Coral Canyons to level 4 - which took approximately 18 completed missions spread across three gaming sessions.
The tactical wrinkles don't stop there. I've noticed that mission difficulty directly impacts reputation gains - perfecting a hard mission might give you 3 reputation points, while easier ones might only give 1. This creates another strategic layer: do I attempt harder missions for faster reputation, risking more robot fatigue, or play it safe with easier missions that require more completions? Personally, I mix both approaches - I'll typically attempt 2 hard missions followed by 3-4 medium difficulty ones between rests.
What makes Jiliwild's design so brilliant is how it turns what could be mundane systems into engaging gameplay loops. The reputation system isn't just a progress bar - it's the heartbeat of your entire operation. The submarine upgrades feel earned rather than given, the map reveals itself gradually rather than all at once, and your roster management directly impacts your exploration capabilities. After 40 hours with the game, I'm still discovering new ways to optimize my reputation gains. Just yesterday, I realized that completing missions in certain sequences can trigger bonus reputation - something I wish I'd known 30 hours earlier!
The beauty of Jiliwild is that it respects your time while still offering depth. You can play casually and still progress, but for those of us who love min-maxing, the systems provide endless optimization opportunities. I've probably restarted my game three times now, each time applying what I learned about reputation management and submarine progression. And you know what? Each playthrough feels fresh because I'm approaching the reputation systems differently. That's the mark of great game design - systems that are simple to understand but take time to master.