Hi friends! I’m cozying up by the fire to share my thoughts on Against the Storm. The dark-fantasy city builder from Eremite Games (published by Hooded Horse). I dove into this one hoping for a chill strategy fix, and came away both surprised and delighted. Its a clever twist on city-building meets rogue-lite. Here’s my laid-back take on what makes this game tick (and occasionally tip over).
Overall Impressions
I adore cozy sims and casual puzzlers, but Against the Storm is neither strictly “cozy” nor a simple puzzler. It’s a moody, storm-lashed city builder with rogue-lite layers. At first glance, you’re rebuilding settlements under never-ending rain, juggling humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, harpies and more. It reminded me of early-game Anno or Banished bliss. Wrapped up in a rogue-lite loop that keeps you coming back like a comfy hook.
This game does a great job of making you want to play “just one more time.” It pulls you in with quick, fun settlement-building that can easily turn into hours of play. The focus is on early growth—the most exciting part of city-building games—and makes that the main experience. By skipping the slow, drawn-out parts later in the game, it offers a fresh and focused way to play that keeps you hooked from the first click.
Part of the game’s charm comes from the cute animal characters like beavers and foxes. They add warmth and personality to your towns. These furry helpers aren’t just nice to look at—they help make the game feel cozy and friendly, even when things get a bit intense. This art style helps set a welcoming mood that makes the game feel fun and easy to enjoy.
That said, there are a few downsides. As you play longer, you’ll need to manage more details, which can feel a bit stressful if you don’t pause often. Also, the story is very simple—there aren’t any deep character plots or big story moments. But this seems to be on purpose, so you can focus more on planning and building without being distracted by a lot of story.
Gameplay Mechanics
Against the Storm nails the blend of city management and rogue-lite randomness. Each settlement (or “run”) gives you a handful of blueprint choices, random resource spots, and special glade events. Which feel like mini-puzzles. You adapt on the fly, reshaping your plans if a flood of foxes or an early trader pops up.
Discover the depth of strategy in this game through three standout mechanics. Blueprint Drafting keeps each run exciting. Limiting you to just two or three options, encouraging fresh, adaptive strategies every time. Species Synergy adds a satisfying layer of complexity—no single race can do it all, so success means balancing human limitations with the strengths of lizard gatherers, beaver woodcutters, and fox hunters. Finally, Meta-Progression through seal progress ensures that even failed attempts feel meaningful, unlocking powerful rewards between storms and fueling long-term growth. Whether you’re optimizing builds or savoring the learning curve, these elements create a dynamic, rewarding experience.
Quotes like “One of the best city-builders I’ve ever played” and “A true rogue-lite city sim” are spot-on. Personally, the quick restarts and shifting objectives were perfect for my ADHD brain. That said, the late game can get overwhelming—until you learn to pause, plan, and prioritize.
Story and Characters
You play as the Queen’s Viceroy, tasked with restoring civilization in a rain-drenched world. The narrative isn’t built on branching dialogue or grand cutscenes. Instead, it shines through charming glade events and telegram-style updates from the Queen.
The true stars? Your settlers. Beavers bustle at sawmills, fox scouts dash for herbs, and lizard fishermen brave the downpour. Subtle animations—like a beaver wiping off its helmet—add a surprising sense of warmth. This is emergent storytelling at its finest, with each run unfolding its own quiet drama.
Visuals and Graphics
Against the Storm strikes a rare visual balance, blending cozy pastel tones with a haunting gothic atmosphere. The art direction stands out with detailed wood-and-stone architecture nestled beneath slate gray skies, creating a mood that’s both inviting and foreboding. This unique aesthetic sets the tone for the game’s stormy, immersive world while remaining easy on the eyes during long sessions.
What truly makes the visuals shine are the thoughtful design touches. Clear, readable icons ensure you never need to squint to see which villagers are hungry, cold, or overworked—crucial in a city-builder with dynamic needs. Gentle animations bring the world to life with subtle movements: rain dripping from rooftops, firelight flickering, and small creatures darting across the screen. These elements enhance immersion without overwhelming the senses.
Each season shift introduces a fresh color palette, giving every storm cycle its own visual flavor. This prevents the game’s gloomy setting from ever feeling repetitive. While fans of Frostpunk will appreciate the high level of polish, Against the Storm leans into a more handcrafted, intimate visual style that feels both atmospheric and personal. It’s a beautiful game that doesn’t just look good—it tells a story through every detail.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack stands out. During storms, a low, hopeful pulse plays; during peace, gentle melodies invite calm. The cozy sound design—axes thudding, villagers chatting, wind howling—completes the immersive experience.
Though there’s no voice acting, the text is rich with personality. Trader lines, in particular, add quirky charm that supports the game’s unique identity.
Difficulty and Replayability
This game is not a zen garden—you will need to pause, plan, and sometimes accept that your town might flood or starve. But that tension is also its biggest draw. Each run lasts about 1–2 hours, and thanks to meta-unlocks and random maps, I’ve already poured in over 60 hours without burnout. Player insights ring true: the rogue-lite design keeps endgame boredom at bay, and even if you hit bad RNG, there’s almost always a workaround. In my book, that’s the hallmark of great replay value.
Trivia and Behind-the-Scenes
One of the most impressive facts about Against the Storm is that it was created by a small, dedicated team of just five developers at Eremite Games. The level of polish, depth, and visual finesse achieved with such a lean crew is nothing short of remarkable—proof that passion and vision can rival big studio budgets.
The game’s development journey was also refreshingly open. During its early-access phase, Eremite Games maintained an exceptionally transparent roadmap. Update dates were clearly scheduled, and patch notes regularly highlighted changes inspired directly by player feedback. This strong community-first approach fostered trust and kept players engaged long before the full release.
Visually and thematically, Against the Storm coined a distinct identity with its “Rainpunk” aesthetic—a moody mix of post-apocalyptic gloom and steampunk whimsy. It’s a genre-bending style rarely seen in strategy games, and it adds both character and atmosphere to every aspect of the world. From its development roots to its creative direction, Against the Storm stands out as an indie gem with a compelling story behind the scenes.
Final Thoughts
Against the Storm is a unique, polished gem that stitches city-building joy into a satisfying rogue-lite loop. It can get a bit intense late-game, and the story is more background flavor than epic saga, but the addictive run structure, charming critters, and atmospheric world more than make up for it. If you love trying new strategies, supporting beaver work parties, and facing a storm that’s always just around the corner, this one’s a must-play.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
May your fires stay lit, your beavers stay busy, and your settlements weather every storm with style!
