
To do this, you place turbines to generate the energy that power the toxin scrubbers which in turn irrigate the soil, it’s a step-by-step journey to creating a lush, emerald paradise. At first, the primary objective is terraforming an arid, tired landscape into a diverse, ecologically sound utopia of sorts. Terra Nil doesn’t assume for a second that city-builders are in vogue, and it does introduce its mechanics in phases before culminating in multi-goal stages that require you to meet varying conditions to cultivate growth. A lot of “games for change” candidates deal with how we hurt each other, but this is perhaps the best example of how passively damaging we can be. But the other inference is, the planet can’t heal on its own–it needs our help. This is the game’s singular message, that if we left it all behind and vanished, our home would be better off without us. This literal handover from the player to nature feels like the idea that’s driven home, and the one constant contribution of mankind, throughout Terra Nil. There’s no “story” to speak of, not that that’s much of a surprise.Īfter a laborious effort at restoration, you’ll often disembark. An introductory set of tools allow you to introduce wind power and irrigation, creating a fertile landscape for flora and fauna to return. Of course, the game still plays mechanically like any builder title before it.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE.Ĭontrary to the aim of other city builders, like Sim City where the aim is to build up, Terra Nil’s focus is in leaving an evergreen, ultimately sustainable world behind.
