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The post-apocalyptic genre has always captivated gamers, offering a rich blend of realistic and imaginative elements for compelling gameplay. From The Last of Us 2 to the long-standing Fallout series, and even the more recent Frostpunk, post-apocalyptic games have achieved remarkable success across various genres. These games often explore the darker aspects of a world ravaged by disaster, focusing on humanity’s struggle against harsh environments, mutated creatures, remnants of dangerous technology, and the inevitable conflict for dwindling resources. However, Balancing Monkey Games takes a different approach with Before We Leave, offering a brighter, violence-free post-apocalyptic experience suitable for all ages. But can a “sunshine and rainbows” post-apocalypse truly resonate with players? Let’s delve into the world of Before We Leave and find out.

A Child-Friendly Post-Apocalypse

Before We Leave – Peeking Out from the Bunker

Before We Leave begins after an unspecified global catastrophe. Survivors emerge from underground bunkers to find a world reclaimed by nature, the scars of civilization buried beneath lush greenery. Players must utilize limited resources and harness the power of nature to rebuild society, eventually venturing beyond their initial island and reaching for the stars.

Before We Leave – Hexagonal Grid Gameplay

The game’s core gameplay resembles traditional 4X strategy titles (“eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate”), with a hexagonal grid map reminiscent of board games. This simplifies exploration, resource management, and the establishment of production and residential clusters. The game streamlines many aspects, offering only three primary resources (wood, stone, and tools) and three basic needs for the population (housing, food, and water).

Before We Leave – Balancing Resources and Pollution

This simplicity makes the game accessible to newcomers and younger players, avoiding the complexity and overwhelming data often found in traditional city-building and management games. While simple, Before We Leave maintains a strategic depth, requiring players to carefully consider resource allocation and the consequences of their choices. For example, tools can be scavenged from ruins or crafted from ore, but the latter generates pollution, impacting the population’s happiness and consuming energy.

Before We Leave – Environmental Interaction

These environmental challenges can be mitigated by planting trees around polluting structures or relocating them to less fertile areas. This flexibility allows players to shape their world’s development according to their preferred playstyle. Unlike many other city-builders, Before We Leave features a surprisingly extensive tech tree, encompassing technologies from medieval times to the space age.

Before We Leave – Rediscovering Technology

Players must continuously research and develop new technologies, requiring them to expand their territories and manage resources effectively. The game subtly encourages players to learn from their mistakes, as early mismanagement can lead to difficulties later on, necessitating careful planning and restructuring. In Before We Leave, the greatest challenge isn’t external threats but the player’s own strategic thinking.

Before We Leave – Whale Guardians

While this might not satisfy hardcore strategy fans, it’s perfect for newcomers and children seeking a relaxed gaming experience. The game’s charming visuals, resembling a colorful wooden board game, enhance this lighthearted atmosphere. Whimsical elements like space whales add a touch of childlike wonder to the later stages of the game.

Before We Leave – System Requirements

With low system requirements and a small file size, Before We Leave is easily accessible on a wide range of hardware. In a gaming landscape often geared towards mature audiences, Before We Leave stands out as a unique, family-friendly city-builder.

Too Relaxed for Seasoned Strategists

Before We Leave – Lack of Challenge

However, its gentle nature also presents a drawback. The game’s pacing can feel slow and even tedious, lacking the dramatic tension found in other strategy titles. Much of the gameplay involves waiting for resources to accumulate, leading to extensive use of the fast-forward feature. While the early game presents some challenges in terms of planning and resource management, the later stages can become overly relaxed, even to the point of boredom. Therefore, Before We Leave is not the ideal choice for players seeking a challenging and engaging strategy experience. It caters to a specific audience, offering a peaceful and accessible post-apocalyptic world to rebuild.