Preserve: Nature’s Puzzle Playground

A Cozy Retreat for Your Inner Strategist

Launch Day Larry

In the world of gaming, where dragons are slain and galaxies are saved, “Preserve” offers a refreshing detour into the serene art of nature management. It’s a game that invites you to swap your sword for a shovel and your spaceship for a spade, all while keeping your strategic wits about you. Let’s dive into this delightful blend of puzzle and strategy, where the only thing more vibrant than the landscapes is the creativity it inspires.

Gameplay: A Symphony of Strategy and Serendipity

“Preserve” is a game that wears its influences on its sleeve, drawing inspiration from titles like Dorfromantik and Terra Nil. Yet, it carves out its own niche with a unique blend of puzzle and strategy mechanics. The gameplay is a free-form, score-based combo-building experience that focuses on strategic tile placement to create efficient habitats. It’s like playing Tetris, but with trees and turtles instead of tetrominoes.

The game offers multiple modes to suit your mood: Puzzle mode for when you’re feeling cerebral, Classic mode for a more laid-back experience, and Creative mode for when you just want to let your imagination run wild. Each mode provides a distinct experience, with the potential for high scores adding a layer of challenge. However, some players find Classic mode a bit too breezy, like a gentle walk in the park rather than a hike up a mountain.

The game’s three distinct biomes, each with its own rules and scoring methods, add depth and replayability. The procedural generation of maps ensures that no two runs are the same, keeping the experience fresh. However, the camera controls can feel like wrestling with a particularly stubborn garden hose, especially on the Steam Deck. And while the marine biome’s waterline adds a touch of realism, it can also obscure the landscape, making it more of a hindrance than a help.

Graphics: A Visual Feast for the Eyes

If “Preserve” were a painting, it would be a vibrant masterpiece hanging in the gallery of cozy gaming. The graphics are consistently praised for their beauty and aesthetic appeal, creating a harmonious and enjoyable experience. The colorful, somewhat cartoonish design is reminiscent of Dorfromantik, contributing to the game’s charm and cozy atmosphere.

However, not all is rosy in the garden of graphics. Performance issues on older MacBook models and Mac M1 devices can turn this visual feast into a slideshow, especially on larger maps. Players have expressed a desire for more customizable graphics settings to mitigate these challenges, such as options to turn off certain animations or adjust the waterline in the marine biome for better visibility.

Story: A Metaphorical Journey Through Nature

“Preserve” doesn’t tell a story in the traditional sense. Instead, it weaves a metaphorical tapestry through its setting, theme, and gameplay mechanics. The game invites players to design and manage a nature preserve, evoking a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of classic simulation games like SimPark and Zoo Tycoon.

While the game lacks a significant scripted plot, its story emerges through the player’s interactions with the environment. The procedural generation and planning aspects allow players to craft their own narratives, making each playthrough a unique journey. It’s a sandbox of wholesomeness, where the whimsical notion of being able to “pet the bees, but they scream” adds a layer of depth and intrigue.

Final Verdict

“Preserve” is a delightful retreat into the world of nature management, offering a relaxing yet challenging experience for fans of puzzle and strategy games. Its beautiful graphics and thematic music create a cozy atmosphere, while the varied gameplay modes and unique biomes provide depth and replayability. However, the game is not without its weeds, with clunky controls and performance issues on certain devices detracting from the overall experience.

For those willing to overlook these minor hiccups, “Preserve” offers a satisfying and engaging journey through nature’s puzzle playground. With anticipation for future content and improvements, it’s a game that promises to grow and flourish, much like the habitats you create within it.

Score: 7.5/10