Introduction

If you’re a fan of strategy games, it’s likely you’ve heard about Against the Storm. The game has earned an 86% positive rating and is praised for its compelling start, mechanics, and lore mix. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what makes Against the Storm such a great game and who it’s for.

What is Against the Storm game and who is it for?

Against the Storm is a strategy game developed by Eremite Games and published by Gryphon Knight Games. It’s a mix of roguelike strategy and small-scale city building that offers gamers a lot of depth to explore. The game’s mechanics involve managing resources, building structures, and researching upgrades, all while fighting off monsters and battling the elements.

Against the Storm is an excellent game for anyone who loves strategy games and is looking for a new challenge. The game is not for those looking for a city builder, as it’s more focused on survival, resource management, and strategic decision-making. Against the Storm offers a lot of replayability, as each playthrough is different, making the game a great choice for those who enjoy exploring different gameplay strategies.

The game’s setting and challenges

Against the Storm takes place in a mysterious dark fantasy world where players must lead a group of survivors to rebuild a shattered civilization. The game has a unique setting that pops out with its creative and intriguing art.

As the game progresses, players must manage resources carefully and make strategic decisions to overcome the harsh weather and dangerous creatures, thrive in the game’s world, and discover ancient secrets that will lead to victory.

Building and expanding the base is essential for the game’s overall success. You must develop new buildings and research upgrades to improve the group’s productivity, resources, and combat skills, making it easier to survive in a hostile world.

Players must be careful about how they spend limited resources, making sure to balance everything effectively to keep the town safe. Combining the roguelike and strategy game genre works well, resulting in intense challenges matched only by the rewards of success and development.

In conclusion, Against the Storm is a challenging yet engaging strategy game that offers fantastic gameplay mechanics, an intriguing setting, and a high degree of replayability. If you’re a fan of strategy games and are looking to try something new, Against the Storm is worth checking out. Just make sure you’re ready for a challenging and rewarding experience.

Game mechanics

The two meters that drive the game forward

Against the Storm is a roguelike city builder that is centered around two meters, namely food and energy. These two meters have a direct impact on the game’s progression, and keeping them in balance is the key to managing the competing pressures of the game. The food meter represents the city’s ability to feed its population, and failing to maintain this meter results in starvation and eventual death. The energy meter, on the other hand, is responsible for powering the city’s various buildings and structures, and without sufficient energy, the city’s functions are severely limited.

How the game-play works and its challenges

To progress in the game, you must build and upgrade various buildings and structures, all while managing the two meters. You must also keep an eye on the weather and prepare for the inevitable storms that ravage the city and its inhabitants. Building and upgrading require the use of resources, which must be gathered from the surrounding wilderness. This system requires a delicate balance of resource management and strategic planning to keep the city functioning and the inhabitants alive.

One of the biggest challenges of the game is its high difficulty level. The game is designed to be challenging, and the player is encouraged to think carefully about every decision they make. Building structures without careful planning can quickly lead to disaster, and it requires a significant amount of skill to keep the two meters in balance. Moreover, the game’s randomly generated world means that each playthrough is unique, and there is always a new challenge to overcome.

Different difficulty modes and upgrades

Against the Storm offers three difficulty modes: easy, medium, and hard. The easy mode is designed for new players and offers some leeway in managing the two meters, while the hard mode is for experienced players who are looking for a challenge. Additionally, the game offers various upgrades that can help the player manage the city more effectively. These upgrades range from new buildings and structures to technological advancements that can make gathering resources easier.

In conclusion, Against the Storm is a well-designed game that requires strategic planning and resource management to keep the city functioning and the inhabitants alive. Its high difficulty level and randomly generated world make each playthrough unique, and there is always a new challenge to overcome. If you’re a fan of city-building games and love a good challenge, Against the Storm is a game you should definitely try.

Settlement building

Establishing and maintaining settlements

Against the Storm is a city builder game that challenges you to establish and maintain settlements throughout a randomly generated map. The game revolves around managing two essential meters- food and energy. Keeping these two meters balanced is the key to mastering the competing pressures of the game. Proper maintenance of these meters will ensure that the inhabitants of the city survive.

Building and upgrading structures require resources that need to be gathered from the surrounding wilderness. The game offers a unique premise as the settlements’ survival directly depends on the ability to manage limited resources. The game demands proper planning and strategic decision-making for maintaining a thriving settlement.

Resources management

The game offers various resources that can be used to construct buildings and upgrade structures. The resources include wood, stone, and iron. The farms and fields provide food to the city inhabitants, which can be further improved by upgrading them. The energy meter powers various buildings and structures in the city. The proper management of resources is the key to a thriving and prosperous settlement.

Pros and cons of various settlement choices

Against the Storm offers various settlement choices to the player. The game provides a unique experience of establishing settlements with different starting resources, sizes, and challenges. Each settlement presents its own set of difficulties that require distinct strategies to overcome. Some settlements may have better access to resources, whereas others might face harsh weather conditions.

A player has to be mindful of their choices as each decision affects the survival of the settlement. For instance, choosing to build a farm or a mine requires the consumption of energy and resources, while upgrading these buildings can also be costly. The game offers a decision that might force the player to abandon a settlement and relocate to a new one while carrying the progress.

In conclusion, Against The Storm is a challenging city-building game that offers a unique experience with its random and dynamic maps. The game requires a player to make strategic decisions while managing limited resources, building and upgrading structures to maintain a thriving settlement. The proper maintenance of resources and balancing of the two meters (food and energy) is essential for ensuring the survival of the citizens. Different settlement choices provide a unique challenge and require different strategies to overcome.

Roguelite features

Permadeath element and its impact on the gameplay

Against the Storm is a roguelite city builder, which means that death is permanent, and every expedition is a new experience. If your city succumbs to starvation or the wrath of the storm, you won’t be able to reload the saved game, and you’ll have to start from scratch. This permadeath element increases the stakes and encourages the player to be more cautious and strategic in their decision-making. The impact of permadeath on gameplay is significant – it adds a sense of urgency and danger to every decision, as one mistake can lead to the demise of the entire population.

Carrying resources, upgrades, and experience forward to the next expedition

One of the unique features of Against the Storm is the ability to carry forward resources, upgrades, and experience to the next expedition. This system allows players to progress and develop their city over multiple playthroughs, even if they face failure or defeat in a particular expedition. It also adds a sense of continuity and progression to the game, as the players can see the impact of their decisions and actions in future expeditions. With each successful expedition, the players can unlock new technologies and buildings that can aid them in their quest to survive the harsh wilderness.

In conclusion, the roguelite features of Against the Storm add an interesting dimension to the traditional city-building genre. The permadeath element increases the stakes and encourages strategic decision-making, while the ability to carry forward resources and upgrades allows players to progress and develop their city over multiple expeditions. If you’re a fan of roguelike games or city builders, Against the Storm is a game that’s worth checking out.

Technical aspects

Graphics quality and sound design

Against the Storm features an impressive 2.5D visual style that pays homage to the classic Warcraft 3’s aesthetics. The world is detailed and beautiful, with a wide range of buildings, environments, and creatures that add depth and variety. The sound design is also top-notch, with an atmospheric soundtrack that immerses the player in the game’s world. The sound effects are well-placed and add to the immersion, from the thunderstorms to the bustling of the city’s inhabitants. Overall, the graphics and sound design of Against the Storm are excellent and contribute to the game’s immersive experience.

Game controls and user interface

The controls in Against the Storm are straightforward and intuitive, with the standard strategy game controls. The user interface is clean and accessible, with most of the essential information easily accessible. The developers have also added tooltips and tutorials to help new players understand the mechanics and systems of the game. The user interface is customizable, and players can adjust the font size and screen resolution to tailor their experience. Overall, the game controls and user interface of Against the Storm are well-designed and are easy for new players to learn.

Performance and technical issues

Against the Storm runs smoothly and without any significant technical issues. The loading times are quick, and the game performs well in both large and small cities. The developers have also added an option to adjust the game’s graphics settings, allowing players to optimize the game’s performance based on their hardware. The game also features frequent updates and bug fixes, ensuring that any technical issues are quickly addressed. Overall, the performance and technical aspects of Against the Storm are solid, and players should have a smooth and enjoyable experience.

In conclusion, Against the Storm’s technical aspects are well-designed and polished. The graphics quality and sound design are immersive and beautiful. The game controls and user interface are straightforward and accessible, while the game’s performance and technical aspects are solid. As a result, gamers can focus on the game’s content and mechanics without worrying about any significant technical hurdles. Against the Storm’s blend of city-building and roguelike mechanics combined with its excellent technical aspects make it a standout game in the genre.

Game experience

Initial impressions and learning curve

When you first start playing Against the Storm, you’ll notice that it’s a unique game that blends two seemingly incompatible genres – rogue-lite and city builder. However, the initial impression of the game is smooth and seamless. The visuals are stunning and the soundtrack is atmospheric, creating a sense of immersion that draws you into the game world.

The learning curve is also well-structured, with tutorials and tooltips that guide you through the mechanics of the game. The game gradually introduces new concepts and ideas, allowing you to explore and experiment with them before moving on to more complex structures and technologies.

Depth and replayability

Against the Storm offers a surprising amount of depth and replayability, despite its seemingly simple concept. The rogue-lite elements of the game mean that every decision you make can have dire consequences, adding a sense of urgency and danger to every playthrough. The city-building aspect of the game is also impressive, with a large variety of buildings and structures that can be unlocked, and a tech tree that offers a significant amount of customization.

The replayability of the game is also excellent, with different biomes and modifiers that can change the gameplay experience. Every playthrough feels unique, and the permadeath element adds an additional layer of challenge that keeps players engaged.

Community and modding support

Against the Storm has a small but dedicated community, with forums, Discord channels, and other resources available to players. The developers are also actively engaged with the community, providing regular updates and patches to the game.

Modding support for the game is not currently available, but the developers have expressed interest in adding it in the future. The ability to create custom buildings, biomes, and mechanics would add even more depth and replayability to the game, and would likely increase the longevity of the community.

In conclusion, Against the Storm is a unique and engaging game that seamlessly blends rogue-lite and city builder concepts. The initial impressions are positive, and the learning curve is well-structured. The depth and replayability of the game are excellent, with permadeath adding an additional challenge. The community and modding support for the game are also promising, making it a game that’s worth checking out for fans of city builders and rogue-likes alike.

Early Access program

If you’re a fan of settlement builders, RNG, and rogue mechanics, Against the Storm is definitely worth checking out. The developers, Hooded Horse, have done an excellent job with the game’s early access program, which features content updates every two weeks.

Update frequency and content roadmap

These updates bring a host of major and minor changes, including two new species added to the game, the Fox people, and new mechanics to bolster the endgame. There were also significant reworks to the strategy layer and Blightstorms. The developers plan to launch Against the Storm on the Microsoft Store as well as PC Game Pass on December 8th, 2022.

Developer feedback and community involvement

Hooded Horse has been actively involved with the community, providing regular updates and patches to the game. Although the community is relatively small, there are dedicated forums, Discord channels, and other resources available to players.

Against the Storm currently doesn’t offer modding support, but the developers have expressed interest in adding it in the future. If this happens, players will have even more ways to customize their gameplay experience.

Overall, Against the Storm offers a unique gameplay experience that’s both engaging and challenging. With its stunning visuals, atmospheric soundtrack, and well-defined learning curve, the game is accessible to a wide range of players. The rogue-lite elements, permadeath feature, and randomized gameplay make every playthrough feel unique. Despite the game still being in early access, Against the Storm has already generated a lot of buzz among fans of city builders and rogue-likes, and it looks set to become one of the breakout indie titles of the year.

Pros and Cons

What makes Against the Storm unique and worth playing

Against the Storm is a game that stands out in the crowded gaming market. It blends two seemingly incompatible genres – rogue-lite and city builder – and creates a hybrid game that just works. The immersive atmosphere and stunning visuals create a game experience that is unique and enjoyable.

The learning curve for the game is also well-structured, with tutorials and tooltips that make it easy to understand the game mechanics. The depth and replayability of the game are also excellent, with every playthrough feeling unique and challenging, thanks to different biomes and modifiers that change the gameplay experience.

The rogue-lite gameplay elements add a sense of urgency and danger that are missing in typical city builders, making every decision feel important and impactful. The game’s permadeath element adds an additional challenge that keeps players engaged and adds replayability to the game.

The community and modding support for the game are also promising. Despite being a relatively new game, there’s a small but dedicated community that provides resources and support to players. The developers are also active in engaging with the community, providing regular updates and patches.

Critiques and areas for improvement

Against the Storm is not a perfect game and has a few areas that could be improved. The presentation and interface of the game feel outdated and could use a revamp to make it easier to navigate. The game also lacks a way to save and resume progress in a playthrough, which can be frustrating for players who need to take a break or experience technical issues.

Additionally, the game might be overwhelming for some players, especially those new to rogue-lite or city-building games. Though the game’s learning curve is well-structured, it might take some time and patience to fully understand the mechanics and gameplay.

In conclusion, Against the Storm is a game that’s worth checking out for fans of rogue-lite and city builder games. The game’s unique blend of gameplay elements, immersive atmosphere, and excellent replayability make it stand out in the gaming market. While the game has a few areas that could be improved, it’s a strong addition to the genre and a promising debut for Eremite Games on PC.

Conclusion

Overall game rating and recommendation

Against the Storm is a compelling game that offers an exciting and unique gameplay experience. With a Metacritic score of 91, the game has received universal acclaim and positive user reviews, making it a must-play title for fans of the rogue-lite and city-building genres.

The game’s blend of challenging gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and immersive atmosphere make it stand out in the crowded gaming market. The game also offers excellent replayability, with different biomes and modifiers that change the gameplay experience. Against the Storm is also supported by a dedicated community of players and developers who provide resources and support to players.

Final thoughts and personal experience.

Against the Storm offers a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience that requires patience, strategy, and resource management skills. The game’s permadeath element adds an additional challenge that kept me engaged and motivated to keep playing.

One particular aspect of the game that I appreciate is its education on environmentalism, as players must manage their resources in order to maintain the ecological balance of nature.

My only critique of the game is its somewhat outdated interface, which can be confusing at times. However, this does not affect the overall enjoyment of the game.

In my personal experience, Against the Storm is one of the best games I have played in recent years. Its unique blend of rogue-lite and city-building elements, combined with its immersive atmosphere and stunning visuals, make it a standout title in the gaming market.