Review of Fun Survival Game The Ancients on Steam Early Access

The Ancients is a turn-based survival strategy game developed by GorillaSoftWorks and published by Camlann Games. Released on June 5, 2024, the game takes players on an epic journey through the last ice age, where they lead a prehistoric hunter-gatherer tribe. The game is available on Steam and has garnered attention for its unique blend of strategy, survival, and historical elements.

The game’s premise is simple yet captivating. Players are tasked with guiding their tribe through harsh environments, hunting fierce animals, migrating to new continents, advancing technology, and making crucial social and political decisions. The goal is to evolve the tribe’s civilization while ensuring their survival against the odds. The game’s turn-based mechanics allow for thoughtful planning and strategic decision-making, making each move critical to the tribe’s success.

One of the standout features of The Ancients is its attention to historical accuracy and detail. The game immerses players in a world where they must contend with the challenges faced by early humans. From hunting mammoths to discovering fire, the game offers a realistic portrayal of prehistoric life. The developers have clearly put a lot of effort into researching the period, and it shows in the game’s rich and authentic atmosphere.

The gameplay is both challenging and rewarding. Players must manage resources carefully, balancing the needs of their tribe with the demands of the environment. The game’s procedural generation ensures that no two playthroughs are the same, adding to its replayability. The turn-based combat system is tactical and requires players to think several steps ahead. Each decision, whether it’s choosing which animals to hunt or which technologies to research, has a significant impact on the tribe’s future.

Visually, The Ancients is stunning. The game’s art style is both beautiful and evocative, capturing the harsh beauty of the ice age. The environments are meticulously crafted, with detailed landscapes and realistic weather effects. The character models and animations are also well-done, adding to the game’s overall immersion. The sound design complements the visuals perfectly, with ambient sounds and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the game’s atmosphere.

One of the game’s strengths is its emphasis on community feedback. The developers have actively involved players in the game’s development process, regularly incorporating feedback from the Steam discussion forums and their Discord server. This approach has allowed them to fine-tune the game’s mechanics and add new content based on player suggestions. The game’s early access period has been used effectively to gather valuable insights and make necessary improvements.

However, The Ancients is not without its flaws. As an early access game, it is still a work in progress, and players may encounter bugs and unfinished content. The developers have been transparent about the game’s current state, acknowledging that it is not fully polished and that there are still areas that need improvement. Some players may find the game’s difficulty curve steep, especially in the early stages, where managing resources and ensuring the tribe’s survival can be particularly challenging.

Despite these issues, The Ancients shows great promise. Its unique blend of strategy, survival, and historical elements sets it apart from other games in the genre. The game’s attention to detail, challenging gameplay, and beautiful visuals make it a standout title. With continued development and community involvement, The Ancients has the potential to become a classic in the turn-based strategy genre.

Final Thoughts

The Ancients is a captivating and challenging game that offers a unique and immersive experience. Its blend of historical accuracy, strategic gameplay, and beautiful visuals make it a must-play for fans of the genre. While it is still a work in progress, the game’s potential is undeniable, and it will be exciting to see how it evolves in the coming months. If you’re looking for a game that offers depth, challenge, and a rich historical setting, The Ancients is definitely worth checking out