Dawnfolk
Release Date: February 13, 2025
Strategy, RTS, turn-based, 2D, arcade elements, indie games, singleplayer
Steam
A casual strategy game about running a small kingdom and trying to save it from the invading darkness. Dawnfolk combines elements of strategic building and obtaining resources with arcade mini-games. We can also choose between playing in real-time or using a turn-based system.
Dawnfolk is a minimalist casual indie game, combining mechanics from various genres. This strategy game created by Daren Keller involves gradual management of the kingdom, its expansion, and fighting against the advancing darkness.
Story
Decades ago, titanic obsidian monoliths fell from the sky. Around them gathered an unfathomable darkness. It started spreading across the world, devouring everything in its path. The declining ruler of the land decides to restore its light, and Lueur, an enigmatic creature capable of emitting enough brightness to dispel the darkness, will help him.
Gameplay
Each level in Dawnfolk consists of a grid of squares, many of which are shrouded in darkness. By rebuilding our city and bringing in new residents, we gradually illuminate the darkened fields and expand the reach of our city. We build structures, gather resources, and make decisions in the face of random events.
In addition to setting the difficulty level, we can choose whether to play in turn-based mode or in a style straight from RTS titles. Strategic management is diversified by skill-based mini-games, which enrich the kingdom with additional resources. The game is characterized by fast gameplay and creating a large city takes less than an hour.
Exploring the mysterious world of Dawnfolk, we discover the secrets of the black monoliths, and depending on the erected objects, small stories will appear.
Engine and graphics
Dawnfolk runs on the Godot 3 engine and has a minimalist 2D visual style.
Videos and Screens
[1:07] Dawnfolk - Launch Trailer
[1:20] Dawnfolk - Announcement Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Charming Aesthetic: The game's art design, featuring cute pixel graphics and delightful animations, is widely praised, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere.
- Engaging Gameplay Loop: Players appreciate the combination of resource management and exploration, with mechanics that encourage strategic placement of buildings for adjacency bonuses.
- High Replayability: The game offers multiple modes (story, puzzles, endless, and daily challenges) that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- Depth Without Overwhelm: Many reviews highlight that while the game has depth and complexity, it remains accessible and not overwhelming for new players.
- Satisfying Sound Design: The sound effects and music enhance the overall experience, making actions feel rewarding.
- Developer Responsiveness: The developer is noted for quickly addressing community feedback, such as adding mouse support shortly after launch.
The main cons of the game
- Minor Bugs: Some users reported experiencing bugs, although many expect these to be resolved with future updates.
- Repetitive Mini-Games: While the mini-games are a fun addition, some players found them to become repetitive over time.
- Story and Dialogue Critiques: A few reviews mention that the story feels dull or lacks depth, with some dialogue not resonating well with players.
- Balancing Issues: Some users pointed out potential balancing issues with certain game mechanics, such as the Witch's Hut and trader prices.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Variety in Mini-Games: Players expressed a desire for additional mini-games to keep the gameplay experience fresh.
- Enhanced Upgrade System: Users suggested implementing a more intuitive upgrade system or tech tree to clarify how buildings can develop and what options are available.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Suggestions included better notifications for certain game events (like wolf spawns) and clearer visual cues for gameplay mechanics.
- Deeper Story Elements: Some players wished for a more engaging narrative with character development and emotional depth.
Summary
- Overall, "Dawnfolk" is celebrated for its charming presentation and engaging gameplay, while also facing some criticisms related to depth in storytelling and gameplay variety.
Summary generated on:
Dawnfolk Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
Developer: Darenn Keller
Publisher: Astra Logical
Age restrictions: none
Dawnfolk System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Dual Core 2.0 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 760, 2 GB HDD, Windows 7
Recommended: AMD Ryzen 5, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 970, 2 GB HDD, Windows 10
Minecraft Meets Civilization: Dawnfolk Sells 10,000 Copies
Dawnfolk is like if Minecraft and Civilization had a baby. In five days, this indie strategy city-builder from a solo-developer sold 10,000 copies on Steam.
video games
Matt Buckley
February 18, 2025