The Colonists is a strategy and indie settlement building game set on procedurally generated worlds where players direct teams of self-replicating robots to establish new colonies after leaving Earth. The core experience centers on advancing through three distinct Ages while developing infrastructure that supports resource gathering, production chains, and expansion across land and water.
Gameplay
Settlement growth relies on layered transport networks that include roads, boats, and trains to move goods efficiently between production sites and storage. Natural resources are harvested directly from the environment, while farming systems produce food to sustain the robotic population and enable further construction. Expeditions allow discovery of new territories, and technology research unlocks improvements that refine output and capacity over time. The progression system emphasizes careful planning of layouts to minimize bottlenecks, with two parallel paths available: one focused on steady expansion in peaceful conditions and another that introduces competition against AI opponents in direct military confrontations.
Game Modes
The campaign consists of 14 individual missions divided into separate peaceful and military tracks, each presenting specific objectives that guide colony development. Random maps generate fresh layouts for repeated play with varying resource distributions and terrain challenges. Sandbox mode removes all constraints so settings can be adjusted freely for unrestricted building. Multiplayer supports cooperative play through the campaign or direct competition in player-versus-player matches. Challenge Trophies provide timed speed-run scenarios that test optimization skills, while Frontiers introduces a new map each month for competitive best-time attempts.
Customization and Community
An integrated map editor lets users design custom scenarios complete with tailored victory conditions. Steam Workshop integration extends this further by allowing players to share and download maps, along with mods that introduce new buildings, resources, and research options. These tools support ongoing variety beyond the base content and enable community-driven experiments with different colony rulesets.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reviews on the primary distribution platform rate the game Very Positive based on over one thousand user submissions. The title receives regular updates, including monthly Frontiers releases that maintain fresh competitive content as recently as June 2026. It suits players who prefer methodical, low-pressure strategy sessions centered on efficiency tweaks and long-term infrastructure refinement rather than fast-paced action. Those drawn to classic settlement builders will find the transport and production systems rewarding for repeated sessions, while the mix of campaign structure and open-ended modes provides clear progression alongside creative freedom. The absence of aggressive timers in most modes makes it accessible for extended play without constant urgency.
