Nominated for Labour of Love Award in 2023.

I don't normally buy Early Access games, but I played the demo back in January and immediately sunk 40 hours into it. I felt obligated to buy the game then.

Against the Storm has completely ruined other City Builders for me, it plays to the strengths of these games while removing all of my gripes with the genre by applying its procedural generation and shortened play sessions for each settlement. Each settlement is slightly different, as you're limited by the building options offered to you and the species that will be there, and you're given a definite objective that can be completed in many different ways. At times, it feels more like an intricately designed puzzle game, with an incredibly balanced tension where you feel like you might fail at any moment before suddenly finding the final piece you need to win.

Eremite Games, the developer, have been exceptional throughout the Early Access period, putting out a new set of features every fortnight without fail, being highly involved with the community and responding to bugs very quickly. Their dedication to the game shines through. This is my GOTY of 2023 and I can't wait to see what else is in store.

Nominated for Labour of Love Award in 2023. I don't normally buy Early Access games, but I played the demo back in January and immediately sunk 40 hours into it. I felt obligated to buy the game then. Against the Storm has completely ruined other City Builders for me, it plays to the strengths of these games while removing all of my gripes with the genre by applying its procedural generation and shortened play sessions for each settlement. Each settlement is slightly different, as you're limited by the building options offered to you and the species that will be there, and you're given a definite objective that can be completed in many different ways. At times, it feels more like an intricately designed puzzle game, with an incredibly balanced tension where you feel like you might fail at any moment before suddenly finding the final piece you need to win. Eremite Games, the developer, have been exceptional throughout the Early Access period, putting out a new set of features every fortnight without fail, being highly involved with the community and responding to bugs very quickly. Their dedication to the game shines through. This is my GOTY of 2023 and I can't wait to see what else is in store.