Against the Storm

Against the Storm is a city-building simulation game set in a fantasy post-apocalyptic world where players must construct and manage their settlement while facing constant threats from powerful storms. The game introduces dynamic weather systems that require real-time tactical decisions to protect citizens and structures, blending strategy and simulation genres into a challenging and immersive experience.

Against the Storm: Review

Introduction

In an industry saturated with sprawling metropolises and endless sandboxes, Against the Storm emerges not merely as another entry in the city-building genre, but as a revolutionary reimagining of its core tenets. Developed by Polish studio Eremite Games and published by Hooded Horse, this 2023 release masterfully weaves the intricate resource management of Frostpunk with the high-stakes, replay-driven mechanics of roguelites like Slay the Spire. Set in a perpetually rain-soaked, post-apocalyptic fantasy world, it challenges players to build ephemeral settlements that are destined for annihilation by the cyclical “Blightstorm.” This review contends that Against the Storm achieves near-perfect genre synthesis, delivering a tense, deeply strategic, and endlessly replayable experience that revitalizes city-building by embracing impermanence as its central theme. Its legacy lies in proving that the most profound satisfaction in simulation games can arise not from eternal growth, but from the desperate, purposeful struggle against inevitable doom.

Development History & Context

Eremite Games, founded by Michał Ogłoziński and Aron Pietroń, conceived Against the Storm during a period where city-builders like Cities: Skylines dominated the market, often criticized for their open-ended sprawl. The team’s audacious vision was to distill the essence of urban planning into compact, pressure-cooker sessions. Opting for the Unity engine provided flexibility for rich procedural generation without prohibitive costs, crucial for a small studio. The game entered Early Access in October 2021, coinciding with the peak of roguelite popularity and a renewed interest in “cozy” strategy games. Hooded Horse, renowned for publishing titles like Old World and Terra Invicta, joined as publisher, offering vital marketing support. The Early Access phase was transformative; the developers leveraged their Discord community for intensive feedback, refining mechanics like the “Resolve” system and random event generation. This iterative process resulted in a remarkably polished full release on December 8, 2023, later bolstered by the Keepers of the Stone expansion (2024) and console ports (2025). Against technological constraints typical of indie teams, Eremite delivered a title that feels both expansive and meticulously crafted.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Against the Storm’s narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling and cryptic lore, rather than explicit cutscenes. Players serve as the Scorched Queen’s Viceroy, tasked with establishing settlements during the brief calm between “Blightstorms” that scourge the world. The Smoldering City, the sole bastion of civilization, looms as a symbol of fragile hope amidst relentless entropy. The narrative explores cyclical destruction, the futility of permanence, and the psychological toll of survival. Thematic richness permeates every element: the forest itself is a sentient, antagonistic force (“The forest always watches”), while villagers’ Resolve mechanics mirror real-world morale degradation. Seven playable species (Humans, Beavers, Lizards, Harpies, Foxes, Frogs, Bats) carry unique lore and prejudices, reflecting the game’s themes of fractured coexistence. Dialogue is sparse but potent—villagers’ mutterings about “the old ways” or the Queen’s imperious orders deepen the world’s melancholy. The overarching mystery of the Blightstorm’s origin and the Sealed Ones adds layers of existential dread, positioning the player as both a savior and a pawn in a cosmic tragedy. This minimalist approach to narrative empowers players to project their interpretations onto the desolate yet beautiful world.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Against the Storm’s brilliance lies in its seamless integration of city-building and roguelike mechanics:
– Core Loop: Each settlement is a timed mission balancing “Queen’s Impatience” (a countdown to failure) against “Reputation” (earned via Orders, Glade Events, and villager Resolve). Players must gather resources, manage production chains, and expand into “Glades” before the storm returns.
– Procedural Generation: Maps, resources, building blueprints, and villager rosters are randomized, ensuring near-infinite replayability. Each run demands adaptation, not memorization.
– Species Mechanics: Villagers have distinct needs (e.g., Beavers demand tea/wine; Lizards need combat and jerky), forcing specialization. Resource trade-offs (e.g., “Do I prioritize Beavers or Humans?”) create agonizing decisions.
– Rainpunk Systems: Three seasonal rain types (Drizzle, Clearance, Storm) alter production. Storm Season amplifies forest Hostility and inflicts Resolve damage, while Rainpunk technology risks corruption but boosts output—a high-risk, high-reward gamble.
– Meta-Progression: Resources like “Amber” and “Artifacts” unlock permanent upgrades in the Smoldering City, easing subsequent runs. Blueprints and Cornerstones (settlement modifiers) are retained, rewarding persistence.
– UI & UX: A clean, information-dense overlay displays resource flows, Resolve levels, and timers. “Acceptable Breaks from Reality” (e.g., villagers pathfinding through buildings) streamline micromanagement without sacrificing depth.
– Combat & Threats: Blightrot cysts and Forest Hostility events (e.g., Drainage Moles) introduce light tactical combat via specialized “Blight Fighters.”

This synthesis creates a punishing yet fair experience where every decision—from expanding into a Glade to sacrificing resources for Resolve—carries weight. The roguelite structure prevents stagnation, while meta-progression ensures growth.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s dark fantasy world is a character itself:
– Biomes: Five distinct regions (Marshlands, Clearings, etc.) offer unique resources and challenges. Mushroom-choked Marshlands and sun-starved Clearlands create breathtakingly varied landscapes.
– Atmosphere: The perpetual rain evokes oppressive melancholy. Drizzle Season’s verdant beauty contrasts with Storm Season’s apocalyptic fury, amplified by dynamic lighting and particle effects.
– Art Direction: A distinctive “storybook” aesthetic blends low-polygon models with painterly textures. Villagers and creatures (e.g., gilled cats, kelpie horses) are whimsically grotesque, while buildings like Harpy nests or Beaver dams reflect cultural uniqueness. The Smoldering City’s grandeur-to-ruin arc visualizes cyclical decay.
– Sound Design: Mikołaj Kurpios’s score shifts from hopeful strings in Drizzle Season to dissonant chaos during Storms. ASMR-like rain and creaking woods enhance immersion, while voice acting (e.g., the Queen’s imperious commands) adds gravitas.

Together, these elements forge a world where beauty and terror coexist, making each settlement’s inevitable destruction feel narratively inevitable yet emotionally resonant.

Reception & Legacy

Against the Storm received universal acclaim, holding a Metacritic score of 91% based on 18 reviews. Critics lauded its “rare gem” status (Eurogamer), praising its “brilliant mix of roguelike, strategy, and city-building” (PCGamesN). PC Gamer hailed it as “one of the most clever, engaging, and endearing strategy games,” while Rock Paper Shotgun called it “one of this year’s best.” Commercially, it sold over 1.5 million copies by April 2025, with console ports further expanding its reach. Awards include “Best Design” at the Taipei Game Show and a D.I.C.E. nomination for Strategy Game of the Year. Its legacy is twofold: it revitalized the city-builder genre by proving impermanence can be compelling, and it set a benchmark for roguelite hybrids. Developers now cite it as a template for integrating randomness with systems depth. The game’s enduring popularity is evidenced by its active modding community and thriving wiki, cementing Eremite Games as a studio to watch.

Conclusion

Against the Storm stands as a towering achievement in simulation gaming—a perfect storm of creativity, tension, and innovation. By embracing the inevitability of destruction, it transcends its genre, offering a poignant metaphor for resilience in the face of entropy. Its blend of meticulous city-building, roguelite unpredictability, and dark fantasy atmosphere is executed with near-flawless precision. While the steep learning curve may intimidate newcomers, the game’s masterful balance of challenge and progression ensures every hour is rewarding. Its legacy is secure: Against the Storm redefined what city-builders could be, proving that the most meaningful victories are often pyrrhic. For players seeking a game that demands their intellect and rewards their persistence, this is not just a recommendation—it is an essential experience. In a world obsessed with eternal cities, Against the Storm dares us to find greatness in the fleeting.