Ratopia: A Rat’s Tale of Strategy, Survival, and Slightly Squeaky Controls

When your kingdom is a maze and your subjects are rats

Launch Day Larry

Welcome to Ratopia, where the rats are in charge, and you’re the queen of the cheese-loving kingdom. This early access game offers a unique blend of strategy, survival, and a dash of rodent royalty. But does it deliver a squeaky clean experience, or are there a few traps along the way? Let’s dive into the labyrinth and find out.

Gameplay: A Strategic Cheese Chase

Ratopia’s gameplay is a delightful concoction of strategy and survival, with a sprinkle of tower defense for good measure. As the Rat Queen, you’re tasked with managing a colony of rats, each with their own needs, social classes, and production chains. It’s like playing SimCity, but with more whiskers and less zoning laws. The game shines in its depth, requiring players to think strategically about every decision, from resource management to ratizen happiness.

However, the game’s “controller first” approach can make navigating menus feel like trying to untangle a ball of yarn with your paws. The interface is inconsistent, and the keyboard and mouse controls are about as intuitive as a rat in a maze. But if you can get past the clunky controls, there’s a rewarding experience waiting for those who enjoy a good strategic challenge.

The lack of a proper campaign mode might leave some players feeling like they’re stuck in a never-ending skirmish, but the charming art style and engaging mechanics keep the experience fresh. Plus, the active Discord community is a lifesaver for those moments when you’re more lost than a rat in a cheese shop.

Graphics: A Whisker Away from Perfection

Visually, Ratopia is a charming spectacle. The art style is as adorable as a rat in a top hat, with detailed graphics that bring the rat-topia to life. The cartoon-like appearance adds a whimsical touch, making the game feel like a storybook come to life. However, the graphics are optimized for 1080p, which means players with higher resolution displays might find things a bit blurry, like trying to watch a 4K movie on a CRT TV.

The lack of ultra-wide resolution support is a glaring omission for a game released in 2024, leaving players with black bars that are more distracting than a cat in a rat colony. The UI also needs a serious makeover, as it’s about as user-friendly as a mousetrap. But despite these issues, the game’s visual charm and low hardware requirements make it accessible to a wide range of players.

Story: A Fable of Fur and Fables

Ratopia’s narrative is a delightful twist on the city-building genre, drawing inspiration from Jean de La Fontaine’s “Fables.” As the Rat Queen, you’re not just managing resources; you’re navigating a rich narrative filled with quirky elements and strategic decisions. The story evolves through your actions, creating a dynamic experience where every choice has consequences.

The transition from a medieval setting to a steampunk theme adds an interesting layer to the narrative, though some players might find it as jarring as a rat in a robot suit. The story’s complexity can be overwhelming at times, but the adorable art style and engaging mechanics keep it from feeling like a rat race.

Final Verdict

Ratopia is a game with a promising foundation, offering a unique blend of strategy, survival, and storytelling. While the controls and UI might make you feel like you’re navigating a maze blindfolded, the game’s charm and depth are worth the effort. With a bit more polish and refinement, Ratopia could become a standout title in its genre. For now, it’s a delightful experience for those willing to embrace the chaos of rat management.

Score: 6.5/10