Side-Scrolling City-Builder Ratopia, similar to Dwarf Fortress and Oxygen Not Included, emerges from early access stage.
Tackle the rat race like never before with Ratopia, the adorable yet complex city-builder sim from Cassel Games. This indie masterpiece has now officially left early access and is available on Steam. If you're into games like Dwarf Fortress, Oxygen Not Included, or Rimworld, this one's right up your alley.
Starting small as a solo rat noble, you're tasked with rebuilding your collapsed kingdom (as seen in Cassel's previous title, the kingdom-meets-deck-builder hybrid Ratropolis). Initially, you'll control your leader directly, scurrying around gathering resources, hunting for grub, and perhaps even dungeon delving. But remember to recruit loyal subjects to handle the heavy lifting, or you'll find yourself overwhelmed.
City-building in Ratopia looks surprisingly deep, rivaling Dwarf Fortress in complexity. Each little rat citizen has its own desires and needs, and if you don't keep them fed, healthy, and content with their pay, they may just decide to get cranky and rebel. With the added twist of leading a character with a detachable head, it's probably a good idea to keep those furry critters happy.
Ratopia also puts a strong emphasis on technological advancement. As you progress through the tech tree, you'll unlock electricity and the option to construct robot rats, which may be less likely to stir up trouble if you've not been a tyrant.
The game nicely blends every aspect you'd expect from the colony sim genre, including literal traps to protect your kingdom from squeaky undead and raids from other factions. Explore the overworld map, intrigue your neighbors with diplomacy or challenge them to war, all while harnessing the thrilling, and sometimes painful, world of the rat race.
Ratopia can currently be found on Steam for £16.75/$20, with a 20% discount running until May 14th. The game's been well-received so far, despite the occasional stiff translation. So if you're looking for something fresh and undeniably weird to play, give Ratopia a whirl. Just remember, this cute aesthetic hides a world that won't hesitate to swipe your cheese unless you're fully committed to the gig.
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The Lowdown from the Pros
Meet Dominic Tarason, a man who traded his youth, prime, and middle age for gaming. Based deep in the Welsh hinterlands where no food delivery dares go, he’s a freelance writer, indie PR guru, and expert techno-hermit. When he's not battling divided factions of rats or subterranean monstrosities, you can find him on Twitter, looking for new and strange games to play. Almost sociable, most of the time.
- If you're seeking a professional fight in the gaming world, Ratopia, the newly released city-builder sim, offers an intriguing blend of complexity and adorable aesthetics, much like games such as Dwarf Fortress, Oxygen Not Included, or Rimworld.
- In Ratopia, as you ascend the tech tree, you'll encounter the challenge of crafting robot rats, a logical choice if you aim to maintain order without appearing tyrannical.
- This game, available on Steam, is a must-try for those who enjoy strategic gameplay, featuring elements like diplomacy, war, and even the possibility of rebelling rat citizens if their needs are not met.
- Gadget enthusiasts and technology aficionados will find the blend of city-building, strategy, and futuristic elements in Ratopia, such as the detachable head leader and robot rats, an impressive addition to their list of gaming 'gadgets'.
