Homeseek

Developer: Traptics
Publisher: The Iterative Collective
Release: 2023
Genre: Base Management, Survival
Art Style: 3D
Platforms: Steam

Do you like post-apocalyptic games where you try to orchestrate mankind’s survival? How about the gameplay loop of games like Frostpunk? If yes, this is a game for you!

It was developed by Traptics, a Greece-based studio. In all its years of existence, this is its most ambitious project yet.

The story of the game is reminiscent of most post-apocalyptic games, especially Fallout. People come out from their bunkers, only to find earth a desert wasteland. Now they are trying to survive in this harsh environment as best they can. The story is divided in two chapters, with five missions each, with different maps and objectives. Unlike other games of the sort, it didn’t bother me, mainly because it was story driven, you gradually unlocked upgrades and there was progression carried over.

From a gameplay perspective, it is a base builder through and through, in the mould of Frostpunk and the like. You have a number of refugees, that is your workforce at the same time, and you try to use them as best as you can so they can survive with limited resources, until you manage to finish each scenario. Most essentially you need to have enough water, food and health care if you want to make it through.

There is an expedition system here as well, but it is more essential. Exploring the various regions of each area allows you to find new laws you could pass, extremely valuable blueprints for new buildings (which carry over), as well as a way to leave this map and continue on another area, that effectively finishes the chapter. As such, build the Expeditions building as soon as possible and leave resources aside for them to use during their various quests.

All in all, Homeseek is a really addicting game. It’s unique water-management system adds a bit more of “puzzle game” elements to the mix and the interesting maps and new buildings you unlock as you play through the scenarios make you always rethink your strategies and try to find the most optimal way to finish each map. If you’re a fan of survival city-builders, you should definitely check it out!

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The game was provided to Indie Game Picks for review purposes.