Against the Storm is a roguelite city builder that blends strategy and simulation elements in a dark fantasy world ravaged by endless storms. As the Viceroy appointed by the Scorched Queen, you lead expeditions to tame the wilderness, establish settlements, and gather resources for the last remaining city. This game stands out by requiring you to manage a network of outposts rather than a single city, incorporating roguelite progression where failures in one expedition carry over upgrades to the next.
Gameplay
In Against the Storm, the core loop revolves around starting expeditions from the Smoldering City to found new settlements in procedurally generated biomes. You gather resources, construct buildings, and assign workers from various fantasy races to tasks like farming, crafting, and exploration. Weather cycles, including the deadly Blightstorm, force strategic decisions, such as producing morale-boosting items like ale or raincoats to keep your population productive. Meta-progression lets you upgrade the central hub with resources earned from successful runs, unlocking new blueprints, perks, and modifiers that alter future plays. Exploration involves venturing into the forest for glades, which can yield treasures or dangers, while trading with wandering merchants adds unpredictability.
Balancing the needs of different species is key; for instance, beavers excel at woodwork but require specific housing, while lizards might prefer certain foods. The game features six distinct biomes, each with unique challenges like varying resource availability or environmental hazards. Hundreds of gameplay modifiers ensure variety, pushing you to adapt strategies, such as prioritizing certain buildings or objectives to meet the Queen's demands and maintain reputation.
Game Modes
The game operates in an expedition-based mode where each playthrough involves building and sustaining settlements until objectives are met or failure occurs due to storms or low morale. There are no separately named modes, but the roguelite structure provides replayability through escalating difficulty levels and customizable challenges. You can select seals that increase difficulty for greater rewards, leading to prestige levels that unlock further content.
Factions and Races
Against the Storm features five playable races acting as factions: humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies. Each has specialized strengths; humans are versatile in production, beavers handle wood efficiently, lizards thrive in wet conditions, foxes are agile scouts, and harpies offer aerial advantages. Managing their diverse needs, from dietary preferences to recreational activities, is essential for settlement success, as neglecting one group can lead to unrest or inefficiency.
Updates and Current State
Since its full release on December 8, 2023, Against the Storm has received DLC expansions like Keepers of the Stone and Nightwatchers, adding new content such as additional biomes or mechanics. As of 2026, the game is available on PC and Nintendo Switch, with ongoing support through updates that refine balance and introduce features. The current version includes meta-progression enhancements and community-driven improvements.
Is It Worth Playing?
With a Metacritic score of 91 and Steam reviews rated Overwhelmingly Positive at 95% from over 18,000 English reviews, Against the Storm enjoys strong player reception for its innovative blend of city building and roguelite elements. Recent reviews remain Very Positive, with 89% approval from 259 submissions in the last 30 days. If you enjoy strategy games that demand adaptation and resource management in a challenging fantasy setting, this title offers lasting appeal through its replayable expeditions and depth. It's particularly suited for players who appreciate procedural generation and meta-progression, making it a solid choice for both newcomers and veterans in 2026.
