What Is Against the Storm?
Against the Storm, developed by Eremite Games, is a roguelite city-building strategy game set in a dark fantasy world perpetually battered by rain. You play as the Viceroy, tasked by the Scorched Queen to establish settlements in the wilderness, gather resources, and survive long enough to earn rewards before moving on to the next location. It's a game that constantly surprises you with how much depth it hides behind an approachable surface.
The Core Loop
Each run tasks you with building a small settlement from scratch within a time limit. You gather wood, food, fabric, and other materials; house villagers from multiple species (humans, beavers, lizards, harpies, and foxes); and fulfill orders from the Queen's Citadel. Complete enough objectives and you advance, banking permanent upgrades for future runs.
The roguelite layer adds excellent texture. Each run randomizes:
- The map's terrain and resources
- Which buildings are available to construct
- The species composition of your villagers (each with different needs and bonuses)
- Modifier events that twist the rules mid-run
No two runs feel the same, and that's genuinely true rather than marketing language.
What the Game Does Exceptionally Well
Decision Density
Every few minutes you're presented with meaningful choices — which buildings to draft, which trade routes to pursue, which villager demands to prioritize. The game never lets you coast. Even experienced players will face moments where every option feels suboptimal and judgment under pressure is required.
Species Synergy System
Managing a multi-species workforce is the game's standout mechanic. Each species has unique needs and production bonuses. Beavers work well in woodcutting. Lizards thrive in high-heat industries. Harpies are excellent scouts. Building a settlement that leans into your available species — rather than fighting their preferences — is deeply satisfying to master.
Pacing and Run Length
Runs typically last between 30 and 90 minutes depending on difficulty. This is the sweet spot for a roguelite: long enough to feel meaningful, short enough that losing doesn't sting excessively.
Areas That Could Be Stronger
- UI readability can be cluttered in the mid-to-late game when multiple overlapping systems compete for attention.
- Early runs may feel slow as you unlock the meta-progression tree — the game is significantly richer once you have more options available.
- Narrative depth is minimal. The world is atmospheric but story-light, which may disappoint players wanting more lore.
Who Should Play It?
| Player Type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| City-building fans who want more challenge | Strongly recommended |
| Roguelite fans open to slower gameplay | Recommended |
| Players who want a narrative-driven experience | Look elsewhere |
| Casual players with limited time | Proceed with caution — it's deep |
Verdict
Against the Storm is one of the most thoughtfully designed strategy games to emerge in recent years. Its roguelite structure keeps city-building fresh in a way that traditional titles in the genre rarely achieve. If you enjoy systems-driven games that reward planning, adaptation, and learning from failure, this is an easy recommendation. It asks for your patience in the early hours and rewards it generously thereafter.
Score: 9 / 10