Laysara: Summit Kingdom

Release Date: April 10, 2024 Early Access

Strategy, economic, Polish, indie games, city builder, singleplayer

83%

Steam

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City builder type strategy game in which we build cities on the slopes of high mountains, like in Nepal or Tibet. In Laysara: Summit Kingdom we have to take care of the interests of the whole caste community, create transport networks and protect against destructive avalanches.

Plot
Game mechanics
Game modes
Technical aspects

Laysara: Summit Kingdom is a city builder in which we raise cities on the slopes of high mountains. The game was developed by an independent Polish studio Quite OK Games.

Plot

Laysara: Summit Kingdom takes us on a journey to Nepal where life in the valleys became impossible. In order to survive, people have moved with their dwellings to the slopes of the highest peaks.

Game mechanics

In Laysara: Summit Kingdom we watch the action from a top-down view. During the game we build cities from scratch, located on the slopes of huge mountain massifs. Each peak differs in structure, which should be taken into account when determining the location of the settlement and choosing its specialization. While vast, tree-covered stretches of land are perfect for farming, if you have only small and steep slopes at your disposal, you should focus on breeding animals and mining.

But that's not all the problems we have to face. Transport networks also play an important role here. If the terrain is kind to us, cleverly planned roads will suffice to transport resources and products. However, on mountains crisscrossed by rivers and canyons, as well as full of precipices and cliffs, we have no choice but to use bridges, underground shafts and elevators (the latter sometimes stretching tens of meters upwards). As our city grows, our need for resources increases, so our transportation networks need to be continually improved and optimized. Sometimes it may be necessary to cooperate with other cities and acquire resources through trade. Moreover, it's worth remembering that each of the three castes making up our city's community has its own interests and needs, which must be taken care of if we want our settlement to prosper.

Even if we have everything ready, nature may sooner or later show us that it has an advantage over us. As it happens in the high mountains, a snow avalanche may pass through our settlement at any time, which, if we don't protect ourselves properly, may destroy our efforts. Fortunately, in the clash with the elements we are not completely defenseless, because we can build special dams or bet on natural barriers in the form of dense forests. Sometimes a good solution is also to provoke an avalanche artificially.

A kind of crowning of our actions, and also the proof that the mountain "gave up" is building a huge temple on its top. This task is difficult as it requires obtaining and transporting huge amounts of materials. The problem is also the weather conditions at the top, which can be deadly for our subjects.

Game modes

Laysara: Summit Kingdom includes an extensive campaign and a sandbox mode.

Technical aspects

Laysara: Summit Kingdom features high quality graphics. Both the architecture and the environment of our cities look pleasant to the eye.

Videos and Screens

[0:59] Laysara: Summit Kingdom Laysara Summit Kingdom - Early Access Launch Trailer

[1:03] Laysara: Summit Kingdom trailer #2

83%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (795)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Visual Appeal: The game is described as "absolutely beautiful," with stunning art and graphics that create a cozy atmosphere.
Engaging Mechanics: The city-building mechanics are fun and well-designed, focusing on puzzle-solving rather than just management, making it addictive for players.
Replayability: There are multiple starting points and distinct challenges across various mountains, allowing for a high level of replayability. Many players have invested significant hours without completing all content.

The main cons of the game

Early Access Issues: The game is still in early access, leading to concerns about whether developers will continue support and updates.
Performance Optimization: Players report that the game can be taxing on CPUs, especially during intense visual effects, which may hinder performance on older machines.
Lack of Planning Tools: The absence of planning tools, such as a grid toggle or semi-transparent planner, makes it difficult for players to strategize their city layouts effectively.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Improved Planning Tools: Users hope for the addition of planning tools to enhance gameplay and facilitate better city layout management.
Optimization for Performance: Many reviews suggest that the game could benefit from better optimization to reduce CPU strain and improve performance.
More Content and Features: Players have expressed a desire for additional content, including new missions, production chains, and possibly a campaign mode, as well as various quality-of-life improvements like keyboard shortcuts for building movement and a copy-paste feature for routes and upgrades.

Summary

Overall, while "Laysara: Summit Kingdom" is praised for its beauty and engaging mechanics, it faces challenges related to its early access status and optimization issues, with players eager for more features and content in the future.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024