I was sent a free copy of both Reus 2 expansions: Ice Age and Everglades. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my review for the base game. If you enjoy my content, please share this with your friends and check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!
Reus 2is a unique village management game where you control the mighty titans and use their powers to terraform and fill the planet while a civilization thrives in response to your actions. The game is currently available on Steam, with a demo that you should definitely try. Make sure you check out the review for the base game. I will be combining my reviews for both expansions because it would feel too repetitive otherwise.
Ice Age Expansion
The Ice Age expansion brings frigid new elements into the world of Reus. This expansion brings the chilling new biome, Ice Age Tundra wich includes over 40 new biotica and the mighty Frost Giant (variation of Aegir) to summon them. This new biome also introduces the new archetypes evolve and extinct for those early level building.
Humanity also receive a couple new features this expansion. They get four new leaders to lead them into greatness:
The Painter – Wants to unlock as much as possible
The General – Gains bonuses to military
The Poet – Improves projects
The Villain – Thrives in a hateful world
There are also four new eras to play through for some added variety:
Hunter Age – Crops don’t grow easily in this weather so humans must hunt to survive.
Enlightenment – Minds brimming with ideas, embrace an age of invention!
Nuclear War – Create nuclear weapons and potentially blow up the entire planet.
Age of Discovery – A planet full of biomes and adventures, humans love to collect oddities.
Everglades
Reus 2’s latest expansion, Everglades, brings the wetlands biome to your planets. This beautiful biome combines both underwater and land areas for some interesting combination. The expansion introduces over 60 new biotica to mix like reptiles, amphibious biotica, and anything else you associate with the everglades. Everglades also introduces a new titan, Reginald the swamp giant.
Humanity gets three new leaders this expansion: the entomologist, the romantic, and the ranger.
The Entomologist specializes in science and Micros. His spirit power boosts Micro Havens. He’s not very impressed by mystery, though!
The Romantic likes biotica that have 2 or more base stats. Look at the game through a different lens!
The Ranger is all about having animals around – Biotica that do good with animals, do good with the ranger!
There are also three new eras to play through: secret conspiracy, bug age, and great nation.
Secret Conspiracy: Help reptilians take over the world with mystery and metals!
Bug Age: Spread the micro love, and bring gold and glory to the bug statue.
Great Nation: Try to create a nation that has 3 magnificent biomes to enjoy and marvel at!
Which ever expansion you end up choosing, you get a lot more content for a game that already has a lot for you to do.
Review
I love the base game Reus 2, and recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy little village builder that will have them thinking. I don’t think the expansions are necessary, but they are a great way to support the developer and they add some good variety. I did prefer the flavor and mechanics for the Evergrade expansion more if you can only choose one expansion, but I definitely feel like you get your money’s worth if you buy both with through the expansion.
Both expansions introduce ages with interesting win conditions, and allow players a good amount of options to get there. I love that none of the expansions take away from the chill vibe I’ve loved about the game so far, but do change up the strategies enough to give the game a bit more variety in both its aesthetic and gameplay loop.
Conclusion
I have a very casual approach to Reus 2. There are settings to make the game harder for those who like a little more effort in their campaigns, but as a filthy casual, this is one of my favorite games. Reus 2 has an interesting concept, and the base game alone has a ton of content to keep players busy. The expansions are a fantastic addition that only prolongue the game’s longevity. They introduce fun and flavorful variety to a game that is already a ton of fun to play, and I think that is reason enough to buy into it. Both expansions are worth playing, but if you can only buy one, I think Everglade is a little better. It really comes down to the flavor you want in your game. Do you want to manage a swamp or an ice age?
I was sent a free copy of Reus 2 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my content, please share this with your friends and check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee!
Reus 2 is a unique village management game where you control the mighty titans of a world to help its inhabitants turn into a powerful civilization. The game is currently available on Steam, with a demo that you should definitely try.
Hook
Before man could walk, titans roamed the vast empty rock. Using their mastery over the elements, they will fill the world with the diverse ecosystems that will cause and fall of many civilizations. Everything from the mountains that line the horizon to the fish that fill the oceans must be strategically placed for a mighty civilization to flourish. Will your choices be the catalyst for the greatest group of man to fill the universe, or will they be stunted by your many wrong choices?
Gameplay Loop
Players will take control of three different titans. Each titan controls an aspect of the planet. The earth titan creates minerals and rises deserts, the grass titan creates plants and rises forests, and the water titan fills the oceans and creates animals. Space is limited on the planet, and players must decide how to spread each type of land, resource and tribe. Each tribe will spend time interacting with the environment players construct around them, and grow accordingly. Players will guide the people on their planet through the different ages.
While the game does look cute and simple, Reus 2 has a lot of nuanced mechanics that players will need to master in order to succeed. The game features a very helpful tutorial and an easy to access guide to help players. I recommend reading the guide often or looking up other helpful guides online. I went in blind, and while I had a lot of fun, I definitely bricked my runs.
Review
Reus 2 is a cozy feeling village builder with enough depth and difficulty to keep players engaged. With the recent free Keuger update and a couple of fresh expansions to freshen up the content, now is a fantastic time to pick up the title.
Aesthetic
I love the simple 2.5D artstyle. The game has a very cozy vibe, and simple effective animations that not only make the game run smooth, but give the game its charm. Reus 2 also has a fantastic sound track, and the soundscape is very immersive. I would recommend you check out the game for the art itself, but the gameplay is why you need to try this game at least once.
Gameplay
The game runs very smooth, especially on my Nvidia 3060. It may not be the best card on the market, but it gets the job done.
The gameplay loop itself is the perfect blend of relaxing idle game with enough difficult resource management to keep players engaged. The game can be difficult, especially if you aren’t paying attention or take the time to learn the mechanics. This is very smart game with flavorful mechanics to help it stand out against the rest of the genre. I usually go into village builders blind and learn by trial and error, but I hit a wall very fast because I was clearly not paying attention. Your millage my vary.
Does it work on the Steam Deck?
It does, but the font is a little small. Some people will not mind, but I am old and couldn’t read a lot of the text. It became more effort than it was worth, but it does work if you have good eyes. I prefer using a key board and mouse personally though, and having a big scream made the expience a lot more comfortable.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a new village builder, Reus 2 is an incredibly unique option that you shouldn’t sleep on. The game has a very cozy vibe, but offers enough of a challenge to keep you thinking. This game looks good, feels good, and is going to be hard to put down, especially when you get so close to the next age. I recommend you get this even as a first village builder because it is a fantastic example.
You can pick up Reus 2 on Steam, or check out the demo if you don’t believe me. I will be trying out the first expansion soon, so stay tuned for that review. If you’re looking for a fun and quirky village builder, check out SteamWorld, or Fabledom if you want a little fantasy.
I was sent a free copy of Synergy to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
The world is on the brink of collapse. Take charge of a group of survivors as you work together to rebuild one of the last thriving civilization. Can you find a sustainable solution without sacrificing too much of your citizen’s happiness? Will you be the catalyst to this world’s salvation?
Gameplay
Synergy asks players to build a thriving city while being mindful of their citizen’s happiness and the resources around them. The game attempts to break the traditional formula by forcing players to build differently. Players will have to think about how their buildings interact with each other and environment to successfully grow, without destroying the world around them. There is a unique upgrade system that allows players a bit of flexibility on how they want to build their society. It is a refreshing take on the genre, but does it hold up?
Review
Synergy has a very fun and creative artstyle full of flavor and flare. The game provides an interesting twist with some cool ideas, but it wasn’t for me. I like that the game forced me to think about the genre differently. I was building a new kind of city and planning my tech paths, but the game is boring. Even at max speed, it felt like nothing was happening. Maybe its the lack of animation, maybe I’m impatient, but I lost quickly. I think the biggest issue I have with this game is that I’ve played better games with a more unique twist. If I rather be playing those, there is no real reason to recommend Synergy, unless you like the art and need a new village builder.
If this is going to be your first village builder, I don’t think it is user friendly enough to recommend. The tutorial isn’t good enough at onboarding players on the game’s more important mechanics. There isn’t a steep learning curve, it just has some intuitive mechanics that are important for survival. not that it matters because as hard as I tried, I never got to the point of collapse that I get with other games in the genre. If you’re a veteran, Synergy does a few cool things that will keep you busy for a bit, but not at the price. I would wait for a sale.
Synergy is fine, but when you consider it against others in the genre, you simply have better options. You can pick it up on Steam for $24.99, but again, wait for the sale.
I was sent Roots of Yggdrasil for free to review for my site. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.
What is Roots of Yggdrasil
Roots of Yggdrasil is a roguelike deck builder that splashes village builder elements to create a unique gaming experience. The game releases on Steam in Early Access on January 24 for $14.99. Don’t forget to wishlist.
Sunna and her tribe have been trapped between time, and they must find a way out. Together you must build a settlement, explore the unknown, and discover the secrets that will take the tribe to the top of Yggdrasil. But the road won’t be easy, and failure means you will have to start over. Do you have the spatial awareness to make it to the top of the mountain?
Gameplay
Players start a run of Roots of Yggdrasil with a random deck that they upgrade throughout a run. These decks summon structures that can be built on procedurally generated levels. Space and resources are limited, making efficiency a player’s most important resource. To beat an encounter, players need to complete several tasks to power up the ship for the next leg of the voyage. A player can run out of space or resources, or have a random disaster make it impossible to complete a level. For example, there is a deadly fog that slowly eats up the map, leaving players without enough space to build.
Aside from the village builder elements, Roots of Yggdrasil plays like your typical deck builder. Heroes have special abilities players can cast periodically, there are random encounters that give players cards or resources, and there are permanent upgrades players can purchase in between runs. The hardest part about this game is building in the right order and leaving enough space for what you need.
Thoughts
Roots of Yggdrasil is a cute game with a fun art style, amazing flavor, and interesting mechanics. I enjoyed this game a lot, but the game isn’t finished, and you can tell. It isn’t unplayable. The game never crashed, and the mechanics were fine, but it needs a little polish and more content. The gameplay started to feel repetitive after a few runs, so most people will want to wait for more biomes, mechanics, and features to be added to the game.
If you don’t mind the roughness of an Early Access game and want to experience a unique deck builder, look into Roots of Yggdrasil. The bit I got to play is fun, and I can see the potential. I’ll be revisiting the game on a future release, so make sure you stay tuned for that. Until then, make sure you add it to your wishlist!
2023 has been a busy year for my blog. I got to play and review 60 new games, made a couple of new partnerships, and saw my blog grow in a way I never would have imagined. When I first started this blog, I expected it to be me complaining to the void about movies. I never imagined all the opportunities it would open up, and I am extremely grateful.
I want to thank you all for reading my content because none of this would have been possible without your support. It means so much to have people out there that care about what I have to say. I wish you all the happiest of New Year. I love you all!
According to Steam, I played 64 games this year, so I think it’s time to highlight some of my favorites. It was hard to choose only ten because I got to play a lot of cool games this year. After much deliberation, and in no particular order, I managed to come up with a list. I’ll leave a table of contents so you can skip to the game you want to read about.
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1. Viewfinder
2023 was great for puzzle games, and Viewfindereasily stands out against the genre. Viewfinder allows players to solve puzzles by using pictures to manipulate the world. The game offers players unrivaled freedom to puzzle solving, a beautiful and imaginative world, a solid story, and a phenomenal soundtrack. I love puzzle games, and the amount of fun I had with the mechanics is nearly immeasurable. This was one of the games I nearly finished without breaks because of how invested I became with solving the puzzles. If you enjoyed the Portal games, you are going to love Viewfinder. Check out the full review.
2.Planet of Lana
I couldn’t have this list without at least mentioning Planet of Lana. This game was such a beautiful delight that I’ll always recommend it to everyone.
Aliens have invaded the planet and are taking its people, and Lana’s sister is one of them. With the help of her cute cat companion, she must brave the perilous landscape to bring her back. Can she do it before it is too late?
As Lana, players explore a mysterious planet where they solve puzzles, pick up clues, and learn about a forgotten history. I am a huge fan of the artwork for this game and a bigger fan of the soundtrack, but what sells it is the gameplay. You won’t experience a more relaxing or enjoyable experience than what you get from Planet of Lana. The game has fun puzzles, a solid story, a fantastic aesthetic, and a cute cat. If you’re looking for a chill and memorable puzzle adventure game, get Planet of Lana. Check out the full review.
3. Sea of Stars
I loved every minute of Sea of Stars and if you haven’t played it yet, you need to. I am a huge fan of the pixel art, it has a rocking soundtrack, and a solid story, but the gameplay is what sets it apart from the rest of the genre.
Valarie and Zale must use the power of the Sun and Moon to put an end to the evil alchemist known as the Fleshmancer. With the help of their friends, they must join forces and protect the world from the evil that threatens it.
If you enjoy turn-based RPGs, Sea of Stars should already be in your library. The game features a neat leveling system and an interesting artifact system that allows players to adjust the difficulty as they play. What sets the game apart is how creative combat is. Sea of Stars offers a more active approach to turn-based combat where players need to time their blocks and attacks to maximize their effectiveness. I assure you that you’ve never experienced anything like this. But if you don’t believe me, there is a demo you need to try. Check out the full review.
4. Worldless
Worldless was sucha unique platforming RPG experience that it needed to be on this list. I love the minimalistic aesthetic, but the complexity of its combat system is what made this game for me.
In the early stages of the universe, existence was filled with conflict. Powerful beings existed in constant conflict and fought to find their place in the universe. You play as one of these beings and must travel through the chaos to find your place within it. Unravel the truths of the universe as you fight for your survival, travel to new and mysterious lands, and unlock your truest potential.
Worldless offers players a beautiful world full of vibrant colors and sound. It is a platformer, but it is very manageable, especially for beginners. What sets this game apart is its rhythm-inspired turn-based combat system. To beat an encounter, players must time all their actions perfectly. It’s a system that makes the game engaging, but also gives it its challenge. If you are looking for a new RPG Platformer, check out Worldless. Make sure you read the full review.
5. Disgeae 7: Vows of the Virtueless
Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless was such a delight to play. I loved its silly tone, the art style, and quirky gameplay. If you are looking for a wholesome good time and don’t mind the overt anime style, this game is a solid choice.
Disgaea 7 is a JRPG where you follow Pirilika, a young rich demon, as she pursues her dreams to live a true bushido lifestyle. With the unlikely help of the demon Fuji, they embark on an adventure to bring the forgotten way of Bushido to the demonic realm of Hinomoto.
You don’t need to have played any of the other games in the series to pick up Disgaea 7. The story is silly, but it is pretty self-contained. I loved the super cute artwork and the humor of the story, but the combat in this game made me feel like I was a tactical genius. Combat in this game is not only adorable, it is engaging and you can change the difficulty whenever you want. This is definitely one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it. Check out the full review.
5. Backpack Hero
Backpack Hero is a great choice for anyone trying to pick up a game to sit back and relax. The art is cute, the gameplay is fun and engaging, and it is not a huge commitment.
Backpack Hero is an inventory management roguelike where players dive into procedurally generated dungeons in search of treasure and fame. You’ll often find too much treasure during your delve, and will often need to reconfigure what you take with you. As daunting as that idea may seem, it works.
I loved the randomness of each run. I had so much fun managing my resources and trying to find the right combination to get me a little further each time. Combat is a simple turn-based system, but the items you pick up along the way are what affect your success in an encounter. The absolute freedom the game gives you to build whatever you want makes the game the gem that it is. If you are looking for a new roguelike, go get Backback Hero. Check out the full review.
6. Steam World Build
I got a few village builders this year that were all fun, but SteamWorld Buildhas to be my favorite. It has such a cute aesthetic, fantastic flavor, and the best gameplay loop of the batch.
The world is about to end, and the remaining survivors must find a way off the planet. Build a settlement of robots who must dig through the mines to find their salvation. But the mines are full of dangerous monsters and unknown secrets. Can you find a way off the planet before it is too late?
I became obsessed with SteamWorld Build and had to force myself away. It starts like your traditional village builder, but there is also a tower defense element, some creative resource management mechanics, and the cutest little citizens you’ll have the pleasure of governing. If you’re new to the genre or simply looking for something new, check out SteamWorld Build. Read the full review.
7. The 7th Guest
The 7th Guest is my favorite VR game of the year. It has a cool story, a spooky aesthetic, and amazing puzzles. The 7th Guest is a mystery puzzle game. Players must solve a series of puzzles to uncover the tragic events that transpired all those years ago.
An eccentric toymaker has gathered a collection of unlikely strangers to his house for a party. Little do they know that his intentions are nefarious. The guests find themselves inside the twisted game where the truths are uncomfortable, and the secrets are dark.
The game offers players an immersive experience and a great mystery played by fantastic actors. The cutscenes in this game alone are worth the price of admission. What I loved most about this game were the puzzles, and how creative the devs got with them. Each room and theme is designed perfectly to create an experience I’ve yet to forget. If you like puzzle games, get this game. Check out the full review.
8. Dameo
I know this game didn’t come out this year, but I did get to play it this year and loved every minute of it. Whether you play it in VR or PC, you can’t get a more authentic TTRPG experience than what you get from Demeo. If you enjoy board games, this game should be in your library.
Demeo is an RPG that effectively emulates the board game experience. Choose your hero and team up with friends, and strangers, or delve into the many dungeons on your own. Demeo combines a unique deck builder system with dice roles and turn-based movement to create an unforgettable experience.
I loved the art and aesthetics, but the gameplay is what made me addicted. I got to try both the VR and PC versions and enjoyed each for different reasons. I liked the immenseness of VR, but I appreciate the convenience of playing on a PC. If you’re looking for something new, I recommend you pick up Demeo. Read the full review.
9. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
I’ve been waiting for Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Tradersince it was announced, and I was not disappointed. I love the flavor, the aesthetic, the music, the story, and the combat. if you like Warhammer 40K, this game needs to be in your library.
As the empire’s newly appointed rogue trader, you must brace against the dangers of uncharted space and bring glory to the Emperor. But this won’t be an easy task. Face off against the horrors of the void, fend off bloodthirsty Tyranids, and make some money in the process. The journey will be horrific, and your choices will matter. What will be your story?
Owl Cat Games once again prove that they can make a fantastic tabletop experience. You can’t go wrong with any of their games, but Rogue Trader is easily my favorite. I love the flavor and lore it brings to the universe, but the combat is what made me keep playing. If you enjoy brutal dark fantasy and don’t mind turn-based strategy, get Rogue Trader. Read the full review.
10. Strayed Light
Last but not least we have Strayed Lights. I don’t normally go for soul-like games, but this one blew me away. The art is beautiful, the music is phenomenal, and the combat system is fantastic.
You play as a being of light who goes on a journey of self-discovery. Travel across a dreamlike world to cleanse the world of its darkness. Do you have what it takes to complete your journey?
Strayed Lights has such a fantastic narrative, but none of it is spoken. The way it can convey so much through the actions of the characters is something you need to experience once. The world that makes up Strayed Lights is beautiful. I loved the colors, the lights, and how creative the devs got with the wildlife. The game also featured my favorite soundtrack of the year.
The game features a unique combat parry system that makes it stick out against the other games in the genre. If you are in the market for a new soul-like, check out Strayed Lights. Read the full review.
I was sent SteamWorld Build as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave me a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.
SteamWorld Build launches on Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, and Steam on December 1st. If you enjoy village builders or are in the market for a new game, you need to buy this game.
Take command of a group of robot settlers as they make their last-ditch effort to escape a dying planet. Together, they must build a settlement, recruit new citizens, and mine for the materials that will lead to salvation. But getting off-world won’t be easy. Can you find a way off the planet before the monsters destroy your settlement?
SteamWorld Build is an adorable addition to the SteamWorld universe and a must-have for any fan of the series. The game does a wonderful job of capturing the quirky and delightful vibe of the franchise without sacrificing any of the fun. You don’t need to have played any of the other games to understand the story, but you are going to want to after. SteamWorld games are always a quirky good time and a fantastic addition to any library.
The art, graphics, and animation for this game are adorable. The scrappy design reminds me of the Warhammer 40k Ork Aesthetic, and I love it! If you are a fan of the SteamWorld games, you’ll appreciate the attention to detail put into capturing the essence of the series. If you aren’t a fan, you’ll appreciate the amount of detail put into bringing this world to life. Little details like watching them walk through the wash or getting a drink at the saloon as they carry on their tasks make the experience feel vibrant and alive.
Be prepared to lose a couple of days as you scrutinize the most efficient way to grow your settlement. I had so much fun with SteamWorld Build that it became an addiction. I restarted a few times as I tried the different maps and strategies until finally forcing myself away long enough to write this review. The casual gameplay yet engaging gameplay, the cute and quirky gameplay, and the pacing all come together to create an experience worth having.
SteamWorld Build is a fantastic blend of village building, resource management, and tower defense. It starts like any traditional village builder, with limited resources and a space to build. As the settlement grows, new mechanics are introduced to keep the game feeling fresh. Each world is split into four levels, each with unique gameplay and design. At the top is a basic settlement game where players recruit new citizens, keep them happy, and trade with the passing train. Lower levels introduce a mining game where players dig for resources, maintain the mine’s stability, and defend against oncoming threats. The lower you go, the more dangerous it is. It feels like playing three games at once, but it never becomes overwhelming. Building inefficiently does impede your progression, but I wouldn’t worry about that until your second or third playthrough. I recommend you go into this game as blindly as possible before looking up guides because learning from your mistakes is half the fun.
I love SteamWorld Build and recommend anyone looking for a new game these holidays to pick it up. It’s cute, it’s casual, and an addicting amount of fun. SteamWorld comes out on Xbox, Switch, PlayStation, and Steam on December 1st. Don’t forget to wishlist if you haven’t done so already!
I got to try SteamWorld Buildat this year’s GDC, and I have been excited to get my hands on it. You can check out my previous post to read my complete impression.
SteamWorld Build is a cute little village builder coming to Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Nintendo Switch on December 1st. This is a cute little village builder with an interesting defense mechanic that you are going to want to try at least once. I just got a copy and will be reviewing it as soon as the embargo is lifted. Stay tuned for that.
You can preorder a copy of SteamWorld Build for your favorite console starting today. The game retails for $29.99, but preordering on Xbox and Switch saves you $3. PlayStation Plus members also get this discount. If you aren’t ready yet, at least add it to your wish list!
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I was sent Fabledomas a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.
Fabledom is an adorable city builder available on Steam. The game is in early access, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. It’s also got a healthy roadmap, and I am sure the game will get better. If you are looking to get into the genre, or simply looking for a new title to get into, Fabledom is a fantastic place to start.
Players start with a small population of peasants, limited resources, and an easy-to-follow tutorial. As your village grows, you unlock new mechanics. Fabledom lets players practice diplomacy with neighboring kingdoms, raise renowned heroes and armies, and find their true love.
Don’t let the adorable fairytale facade fool you. You’ll need to be tactical about how you grow your village. While I never hit the point where my village failed, I did hit bottlenecks in my progress that stemmed from my mistakes. I am sure there are guides designed to play Fabledom optimally, but I like learning from my failures. I always recommend going into these games as blindly as possible. It’s more fun that way.
I am obsessed with this game. The gameplay is relaxing yet engaging, the art style is cute, and the music is such a vibe. This is one of those games you need to try at least once, especially if you are curious about the genre. You can pick up Fabledom on Steam for $11.99 (normally $15.99) until October 30th. It’s worth it at either price!
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I was sent The Wandering Village as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
The Wandering Village is a cute and casual village builder with beautiful art, interesting mechanics, and a solid soundtrack. This game easily became one of my favorites due to its casual atmosphere. This game is simple enough to pick up quickly but offers enough of a challenge without becoming overwhelming. This game is the perfect entry point to the genre and a fantastic addition to any library.
The world has become toxic and uninhabitable. The few remaining survivors have found refuge on the back of a giant wandering beast, the Onbu. Together you will wander the world as you attempt to rebuild a symbiotic civilization on the back of the Onbu.
The Wandering Village is a beautiful game with many moving parts. I recommend you play a few runs without looking up guides. I believe most of the fun is trying to figure out how to grow your village properly, failing, and doing it better the next time around. I am sure there is an optimal way of running through this game, but I had as much fun failing as when everything was running smoothly. This game is casual enough that guides aren’t necessary.
The Wandering Village is one of the more casual village builders I’ve played. Worker, resource, and resource management are challenging enough to keep the game engaging without becoming overwhelming. There are settings you can tweak that makes the management mechanics more difficult, but I never felt like it lost its casual vibe. What does create a challenge is adapting to the random encounters throughout the Onbu’s journey. The types of scouting missions that become available, the types of biomes it walks through, and the Onbu’s health all affect the growth of your village. Players will often have to readjust quickly to changes. I lost a few villages because I wasn’t planning properly. You will eventually be able to have more control of the Onbu, but I enjoyed the random nature of the journey. It makes every run unique, giving the game lots of replayability.
I had a lot of fun with The Wandering Village, and recommend it to anyone in the market for a new game. The art is beautiful, and the mechanics are fun and interesting. The game just got an update that added a new biome, buildings, and encounters. You can pick up The Wandering Village on Steam and Xbox for $24.99 or play it for free if you have Game Pass.
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I was sent Havendock as a review code. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but this will be my honest review.
If you are looking for a fun village builder to add to your collection or need a good place to start with the genre, get Havendock. The game has great graphics, catchy music, and an addicting gameplay loop.
You wake up alone and stranded in the middle of the ocean without a single memory. To survive, you must build a base from the materials that float by. As you slowly establish your haven, you will attract other survivors who will help you grow your haven. The trick to this game is efficiency. You must juggle between building, resource management, exploration, and research.
Do not let the game’s cuteness deceive you. You will become overwhelmed by your sloppiness, but that’s part of the process. I recommend that you go in blind on your first playthrough to get the truest Havendock experience. Once you get to the point where you get stuck, look up tips and tricks. If you need more of a challenge, there are settings you can tweak.
What I like most about this game is how easily it eases players into the mechanics. All players start with a questline that does a fantastic job of teaching players the fundamentals, but it leaves enough room for error to make the game challenging. While I never thought the game was frustratingly difficult, there are enough obstacles to keep it engaging. The game is impossible if you don’t have at least a basic plan on what to research, build, or gather. Havendock will prove a tricky game to master, but it is such a satisfying and enjoyable ride. Even when my village was on the brink of collapse, I found myself humming along with the catchy music, enjoying myself.
If you are looking for a new game to get into, you should buy Havendock. It is cute, fun, and great for those who’ve never touched a resource management game. The hardest part about this game is choosing when to walk away because there is always something you need to build, research, or work towards. I loved this game, and I think you will too.
You can buy Havendock on Steam for $16.99. The game is in early access, but it doesn’t feel like it. But if you need further convincing, go try the demo.
