Before We Leave is a charming, non-violent city building strategy game available on PC and Nintendo Switch. Released for PC on May 12, 2021, this title offers a relaxing yet strategic experience where players guide a society of "peeps" from underground bunkers to a thriving multi-planet civilization. Unlike traditional city builders that rely on conflict, Before We Leave focuses on sustainability, resource management, and population happiness.

The Story and Setting of Before We Leave

In the distant future, the remnants of a past civilization emerge from underground vaults to find a world reclaimed by nature. The inhabitants, known as peeps, have forgotten the history of their ancestors who ruined their planet generations ago. Your task is to rebuild civilization from scratch, exploring a landscape littered with ancient ruins while avoiding the mistakes of the past.

As you progress, your society expands beyond its home world to colonize other continents and eventually new planets within your solar system. However, the universe holds challenges. You must deal with ancient guardians left by your ancestors, manage environmental disasters that scarred the land, and protect your colonies from bizarre threats like vast planet-eating space whales.

Gameplay Mechanics and Notable Features

Before We Leave is a top-down, real-time city builder with a strong emphasis on logistics and economics. Players start with a basic town hall and a handful of peeps, immediately tasked with constructing lodging, farms, and wells to meet basic needs. The game features a distinct graphical style that captures the cozy atmosphere of the peeps' world, making the management of hex-based building placement intuitive and satisfying.

Key gameplay elements include:

  • Resource Management: You must gather food, water, building materials, and research points found in ancient ruins. Resources often require processing, such as converting iron to ingots, creating a satisfying production loop.
  • Population Happiness: The well-being of your peeps is paramount. Pollution from industrial buildings lowers happiness and slows work. To keep your citizens content, you must provide a variety of foods, better clothing, and amenities while maintaining a balance between development and nature.
  • Tech Progression: Research gleaned from ruins unlocks new technologies and buildings. This creates a linear but engaging progression where new structures open up access to advanced resources.
  • Multi-Planet Colonization: Once your economy is stable, build ships to establish colonies on other islands and planets, managing a network of settlements across your solar system.
  • Purely Non-Violent Experience: There are no weapons, no combat, and no fighting for resources. The game eliminates conflict entirely, allowing you to play, expand, and chill out at your own pace. The only "enemies" are pollution, natural disasters, and hungry space whales.

Who Should Play Before We Leave?

Before We Leave appeals to fans of the logistics and city builder genres who are looking for a stress-free strategy experience. It is ideal for players who enjoy deep resource chains and satisfying economic progression but wish to avoid the combat and war mechanics common in the genre. The game also attracts those interested in environmental themes and sustainable development, as keeping pollution low is essential for success. Whether you are playing on PC or Switch, Before We Leave offers a cozy, thoughtful challenge for anyone ready to help their peeps leave the past behind and build a better future among the stars.