Block'hood

Block’hood is an unusual city builder strategy game developed by Plethora-Project, a small studio comprising a dozen or so members. The game was published by Devolver Digitia, known for bringing indie games to players all around the world.

Mechanics

Block’hood stands out from similar games due to its unique nature – the game builds on ecology and players have to construct their buildings in harmony with the nature using safe and renewable energy sources. Unlike other games from the same genre, the player’s task is not to create the biggest city possible – his actions are limited to a micro environment comprising a single estate. Whenever a player runs out of space, they are left with no other choice than to expand the construction vertically, by erecting multistoriey, self-sufficient skyscrapers.

In order to build new structures, a player can use over 200 types of blocks and connect them in various ways. The titular blocks are the building materials – like a 3D jigsaw puzzle, each unit complements the whole structure. It is crucial for a player to learn dependencies between particular blocks. For example, for a tree to produce oxygen, it needs a continuous access to water supplies; also, if a shop is to generate income, it needs customers. Moreover, players have to optimize their production, which is based on over 20 different kinds of resources occurring in particular blocks. To spice things up a bit, after some time, all the blocks that were set improperly eventually become uninhabitable – such blocks have to be destroyed before they corrupt adjacent hexahedrons. The list of player’s responsibilities in the game includes also tending to inhabitants’ individual needs – this regards both humans and their animal companions.

Game modes

Players are introduced to the PC Block’hood gameplay mechanics by the simple Story mode comprising five chapters. Players can also try out the Education mode, which actually is a tutorial that allows them to familiarize themselves with modern technologies and their principles of operation. Moreover, the game offers multiple Challenges, in which one can test his skills having at his disposal a limited amount of resources and available blocks - one has to accomplish a task he has been assigned with using only the available materials. The last but not least is the Sandbox mode, in which a player can develop the estate with no limitations and prove a futuristic architect.

Technical aspects

Block’hood is bound to catch one’s attention with its original audiovisuals. In spite of the game’s simplicity, the 3D visuals might appeal to many players, and the dedicated soundtrack that accompanies players during their construction works makes for an additional attraction in the game.

Last updated on July 14, 2017