Preserve

Starting at $7.92Buy now

"Preserve is a single-player Sandbox puzzle game with stunning visuals and an amazing soundtrack. As a nature-building game, your goal is to create and sustain a thriving, diverse ecosystem with vertical map expansion and multiple biomes, each with unique challenges and inhabitants. With various game modes available, players can enjoy regular gameplay or participate in challenges for an added layer of complexity."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 138 reviews

music23 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features beautiful graphics and soothing music, creating a relaxing atmosphere that players enjoy.
Each biome offers unique challenges and mechanics, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
It's a cozy puzzle game that is easy to learn but provides enough depth to be challenging, making it suitable for both casual and dedicated players.

The game can feel overly reliant on luck, as drawing the wrong cards can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Some players find the difficulty curve steep, particularly in classic mode, which may limit enjoyment for those seeking a more casual experience.
Performance issues have been reported on certain systems, particularly on older hardware, which can detract from the overall experience.

music
39 mentions
59 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing experience of gameplay. Reviewers highlight the beautiful soundtrack and sound effects, which complement the vibrant visuals and create a cozy atmosphere. Many players find the music to be a significant factor in their enjoyment, making it a key element of the game's appeal.
- “Not only is this game incredibly soothing with atmospheric music, but the little sounds and visuals when placing pieces are very satisfying as well.”
- “The music is absolutely gorgeous in this game and adds to how relaxing the gameplay is.”
- “The vibrant visuals and charming soundtrack create such a chill vibe—perfect for kicking back and relaxing.”
- “My only gripe is that the relaxing music doesn't appear in the creative mode that allows you to place things with no rules, though I assume that the team will add that later.”
- “The song when playing the savanna.”
- “I recommend playing it with in-game music, or even with a favorite series or movie on in the background (like Friends or The Office).”
graphics
36 mentions
72 % positive mentions
19 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and charm, contributing to a relaxing and soothing atmosphere. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and cute art style, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some mention minor performance issues, the graphics are generally considered a strong point, making the game visually appealing and enjoyable.
- “The vibrant visuals and charming soundtrack create such a chill vibe—perfect for kicking back and relaxing.”
- “Prepare to be enchanted by the cozy atmosphere, stunning graphics, captivating music, and creative puzzles that will ignite your imagination.”
- “Beautiful graphics, fun game promoting the importance of biodiversity in beautiful landscapes and wonderful progression.”
- “The graphics are decent, a bit mobile-game like, but it serves the purpose, and the kids will love it.”
- “It would be nice if there were more settings related to graphics and performance, perhaps an ability to turn off the animal animations to try and reduce the lag (although the animal animations are very cute!).”
- “I turned down the quality on the graphics and that helps, but it still runs slow even with that change.”
gameplay
34 mentions
41 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Preserve is characterized by its relaxing yet engaging mechanics, featuring unique biome-specific elements that introduce variety and strategic depth. Players appreciate the soothing visuals and music, which enhance the overall experience, while the puzzle levels encourage exploration and mastery of the game's mechanics. Although some comparisons to similar titles exist, Preserve stands out for its charming art style and the satisfying gameplay loop it offers.
- “There's something 'tycoon-esque' about Preserve, and those who are big on resource management gameplay will probably enjoy.”
- “The gameplay is simple and relaxing—you can take your time exploring, planting, and caring for animals.”
- “What sets Preserve apart is, of course, the natural theme and unique gameplay elements introduced for each biome and size/scale.”
- “I sort of thought this game would be somewhat like Terra Nil, an ecological restoration puzzle game I adore and super recommend, but it really wasn't and seems so lacking in comparison—both in engaging gameplay and enjoyment.”
- “Don't get me wrong, it absolutely does and I love it for that, but the main hook are the score mechanics, luck of the cards, and gnawing towards that next milestone where you may or may not get the animal you need for a three-different-critters-in-a-habitat combo.”
- “Preserve is a very decent one, mechanically almost identical to Terrascape (3 hexes make a combo, cards get dealt after completing certain point caps, etc.) but manages to introduce a lot of biome-specific mechanics that make the game require a completely different approach each level.”
optimization
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game is generally well-optimized for an early access title, with users reporting no significant bugs or performance issues. However, there is a desire for more graphics and performance settings, particularly to manage lag on larger maps. While it is compatible with the Steam Deck, some users noted the need for better touch UI optimizations for tablet play.
- “Very polished for an early access game; I didn't encounter any bugs or performance issues.”
- “Out of the box, the game is also Steam Deck friendly; however, it may need some touch UI optimizations as the controller is the only supported input for now.”
- “Performance is good, and I think it would be amazing to play on iPad and tablets.”
- “It would be nice if there were more settings related to graphics and performance, perhaps an ability to turn off the animal animations to try and reduce the lag (although the animal animations are very cute!).”
- “The large maps are my favorite, but I think I'll have to stick to playing the medium-sized ones to balance game performance and creating an expansive environment.”
- “Out of the box, the game is also Steam Deck friendly; however, it may need some touch UI optimizations as the controller is the only supported input for now, and many users could expect to move the cards over to the island.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by soothing music, satisfying sound effects, and stunning visuals that create a peaceful and enchanting experience. Players appreciate the cozy ambiance and the opportunity to learn through gameplay, enhancing the overall immersion and enjoyment.
- “Not only is this game incredibly soothing with atmospheric music, but the little sounds and visuals when placing pieces are very satisfying as well.”
- “The music adds to the peaceful atmosphere, making it easy to lose track of time while you play.”
- “Prepare to be enchanted by the cozy atmosphere, stunning graphics, captivating music, and creative puzzles that will ignite your imagination.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
- “I found the environment to be dull and lifeless, which made it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving me feeling disconnected from the world.”
replayability
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate its calming aesthetics and variety, others feel that the presence of a single optimal solution limits the potential for repeated play. This dichotomy leaves some users longing for a more open-ended experience that fosters a sense of exploration and magic.
- “Gorgeous looking game, high replay value, very chill and calming, amazing music and sound.”
- “Ultimately, I like the gameplay because it has a bit more variety than Dorfromantik and clear potential for greater replayability than Terra Nil.”
- “This game could have been amazing, but its 'one solution to reach one of the scores' does not create the replay value that is sorely needed in a game like this. I would love to feel the magic of being able to keep going, but knowing there is a limit and a perfect solution with a ceiling just evaporates that magic feeling and leaves a sour taste in my mind, knowing this is just a puzzle with an end.”
- “After completing the game, I found little incentive to play again. The lack of different paths or outcomes makes it feel like a one-and-done experience.”
- “While the game is enjoyable, the replayability is severely lacking. Once you've seen everything, there's no real reason to return.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally resonant, particularly highlighting a specific track in the African biome that evokes a sense of wholesomeness and tranquility. The overall experience is described as a "sandbox of wholesomeness," suggesting that the game successfully creates a serene and uplifting atmosphere that encourages players to immerse themselves deeply.
- “Very good altogether, but that one track in the African biome, with that solemn voice, was so wholesome that I stopped playing and just laid back to listen.”
- “This game is a sandbox of wholesomeness I've been patiently waiting for a year and a half. Ever since I discovered it, I've been looking forward to spending at least ten hours playing it - not just because it radiates serenity, bright colors, and cute animals.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game can become tedious, leading to a more chaotic approach to world-building rather than strategic planning. However, the freedom to create custom environments and interact with various plants and animals adds an enjoyable layer to the experience.
- “It may get tedious, and it will eventually make you quit planning ten steps forward and just throw forests and grasslands around.”
- “Grinding becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game, leading to frustration.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding can sap the fun out of the experience, making it feel more like a job than a game.”
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for improved stability, indicating that the game currently has numerous bugs that detract from the overall experience.
- “I am looking forward to it being less buggy.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its cute visuals and funny gameplay, contributing to a relaxing and enjoyable experience that players love.
- “Cute visuals, funny gameplay, relaxing mood... love it!”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch; I found myself laughing out loud at the clever dialogue!”
- “The quirky characters and their hilarious antics kept me entertained for hours!”