Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
Against the Storm DLC: Bats Join the City-Building Fray
Against the Storm, a critically acclaimed roguelike city-builder, distinguishes itself in the genre by blending intricate urban planning with a compelling roguelike structure. Central to this engaging experience are its diverse anthropomorphic animal citizens, whose unique needs and desires shape the challenges and triumphs within this grim fantasy realm. Managing these varied species is key to success in Against the Storm, making each playthrough a unique and strategic undertaking.
Diverse Species and Unique Needs in Against the Storm
A hallmark of Against the Storm is the assortment of animal races that populate your settlements, each presenting distinct preferences and requirements. As previously noted in reviews, these needs can greatly differ and even conflict between species. For example, Beavers are depicted as sophisticated inhabitants who appreciate refined pleasures like tea parties and aged wine, yet they are known to be demanding to satisfy. In contrast, Lizards are portrayed as enjoying simpler comforts such as dried meat and engaging in combat for recreation. Successfully pleasing all species within a settlement simultaneously is often challenging, necessitating strategic choices regarding which populations to prioritize.
New Bat Species Arriving in Upcoming DLC
The game’s developer, Eremite Games, has recently previewed forthcoming downloadable content (DLC) that promises to further complicate the delicate balance of citizen management with the introduction of a new species: Bats. According to a developer post on Steam, Bats are described as “stern and fiercely devoted people” who “take pride in enduring what breaks others and cannot stand being favored.” They are said to excel in metallurgy but “find no particular comfort in any type of work.” This description suggests Bats will present unique gameplay challenges, demanding careful consideration of their specific traits.
Bat Characteristics and Gameplay Implications
The introduction of Bats appears designed to offer a more demanding gameplay experience, requiring players to closely attend to their needs. Players must ensure bat citizens receive appropriate provisions without inadvertently making them feel privileged. Eremite Games emphasizes that the inclusion of Bats marks a significant landmark in the game’s development, stating, “With this DLC, we’ll complete the species roster we’ve envisioned for the game ever since Bats were first introduced during the community vote a little over two years ago.” This signals a culmination of their original design plans for species diversity within Against the Storm.
Further DLC Content: New Biome and Free Update
Beyond the bat species, the upcoming DLC will also expand the game world with a new biome, although Eremite Games has not yet disclosed specific details about its nature. In addition to this paid DLC, a free content update is planned to coincide with the DLC release. Details regarding the contents of this free update remain unannounced by the developer.
DLC Release Timeline and Open Alpha
Currently, no definitive release date has been announced for either the DLC or the accompanying free update. Eremite Games has indicated that the release is still “months away.” However, players eager to experience the new content can anticipate a time-limited open alpha of the DLC commencing in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Information on how to participate in this alpha testing phase is available via provided channels.