Preserve
- August 8, 2024
- Bitmap Galaxy
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"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."
Reviews
- The game features beautiful graphics and soothing music, creating a relaxing atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
- Each biome introduces unique mechanics and challenges, making the gameplay engaging and varied.
- It's a cozy puzzle game that is easy to pick up but offers depth and strategy, making it enjoyable for both casual and dedicated players.
- The game can feel overly reliant on luck, as drawing the wrong cards or tiles can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Some players have reported performance issues, particularly on certain devices like Mac M1, which can hinder the overall experience.
- The current early access version lacks sufficient content and replay value, with some modes feeling too easy or limited.
- music39 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 soundtracks that complement the vibrant visuals, creating a cozy and immersive environment. While some players wish for the relaxing music to be available in all modes, the general consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and 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.”
“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).”
“The song when playing the savanna.”
- graphics36 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 cozy atmosphere. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and soothing music, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some note that the graphics may feel somewhat mobile-game-like, they still serve their purpose well, making the game enjoyable for all ages.
“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.”
- gameplay34 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 it shares similarities with other titles in the genre, 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.”
- optimization6 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 with animal animations. While it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, some users noted the need for touch UI optimizations for better accessibility.
“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.”
- atmosphere5 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 cosy 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.”
“Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player.”
“The game tries to create a mood, but it ends up feeling lifeless and disconnected.”
- replayability3 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 craving more dynamic experiences, while others enjoy the game's relaxing qualities.
“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. 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 more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
“Once you've seen everything the game has to offer, there's really no reason to return. The linearity and predictability of the gameplay severely limit its replayability.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply impactful, particularly highlighting a specific track in the African biome that evokes a sense of wholesomeness and tranquility. The game is described as a "sandbox of wholesomeness," offering a serene experience that encourages players to pause and appreciate its beauty, making it a highly anticipated and emotionally resonant experience.
“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.”
- grinding2 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 a layer of enjoyment 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.”
“The grinding aspect feels repetitive and can drain the enjoyment out of the game.”
“After a while, the constant need to gather resources becomes a chore rather than a fun activity.”
- stability1 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.”
- humor1 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 absolutely delightful and keeps me laughing throughout!”
“I can't get enough of the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions!”
