Typically in city-building games, the ocean is something to be feared. In SimCity, alongside toxic spills, earthquakes, and UFOs, if you're unlucky, your peaceful conurbation can also be obliterated by a whirlpool or a flood. Jump ahead to Cities Skylines 2, and as much as you need the sea to survive, it can also be your undoing; fail to properly maintain your waste disposal system, and your offices, parks, and beautiful suburbs will be washed away by a tide of troublingly brown water. Published by Kasedo, the label behind Rise of Industry, Warhammer 40k Mechanicus, and the underrated Ixion, Life Below is a city builder that turns the ocean from an enemy into home, and you can try it today.
The coral reefs are dying. Entire subaquatic ecosystems are being destroyed. strategy game that puts you in charge of restoring vitality to the ocean floor. Initially, you need to rebuild the infrastructure, replanting the coral and developing algae to attract more diverse lifeforms to your new habitat. Later, survival becomes more complex.
While the aesthetic and style of Life Below borders on magical realism, its systems and challenges are rooted in science. The city-building game is created in collaboration with marine biologists. Fluctuations in temperature, weather, and even the acidity level of the water can severely impact the stability of your would-be haven. You also have to contend with man-made disasters like oil spills and garbage dumps, and protect your finned residents from predators, including swarms of venomous lionfish.
There's no release date yet, but if you want to give Life Below a try, the first demo has just hit Steam – you can it right here. There's a free play mode, but the full game will also include a complete campaign, with a story by Tomb Raider and Mirror's Edge writer Rhianna Pratchett.
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