Beaver, beaver, beaver! No, this is not a game based on the famous Polish beaver video, but a completely different kind. Timberborn is actually a construction title where you have to preserve your small population of beavers and do everything you can to develop them or not let them die out.
| Initial price | Reviewed version | Reviewer copy |
| 34€ | PC | Provided by publisher |
You see, beavers are the only living things in the world in Timberborn. They managed to save themselves from the apocalypse in which the entire humanity ended. As it usually happens, people have left behind polluted parts of nature where beavers must now learn to live. Of course, not every part of nature is polluted, but a good half is.
In the beginning you only have a few beavers. Upon arrival, all of them have to roll up their sleeves and do hard and painstaking work. Everyone leaves their victim at least partially, especially in the early days when houses and residential facilities were not yet built. Fortunately, the beavers are not forced to take a loan, because who knows where they would be today if they were under a loan, probably this review wouldn’t even exist!
Those who follow Timberborn a little longer, remember that I wrote a short review of the game last year. Then I mentioned that he plays in early accessu it doesn’t have a story, which some people might like. Well, you see, it’s not there even after the release of the full version. It only has a short video introduction, before the main menu, where you see the sad looks and the ruined legacy of the beavers who now have to migrate to new lands.
Moving on to the narrative element, unfortunately, Timberborn doesn’t actually have a real endgame. It is your goal to save and keep the beaver population alive, but once you enter the endgamethere is practically nothing to keep you there longer. At least if the game tells you: “Well done, you have defeated the apocalypse! Life is returning to Earth…”. Something, anything, to whatever extent, would instantly give you a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Unfortunately, Timberborn doesn’t have a story, so it doesn’t really end the game.
However, while the game may not appeal in this regard, other mechanics may draw you into its existence. Creativity is the strongest link here. The game offers you to build your cities the way you want. Do you want to focus on vertical construction? No problem! Do you want to fill every empty space on the map and take advantage of all the bounties of the world? You are free to do so. Once you are able to unlock the necessary items and objects, you can do whatever you want.
The “worst” thing is actually that the mechanics of the game keep you in that building so much that 2-3 hours of playing at a time will pass just like that. There is always something you have to do, something interesting always opens your eyes. And this is exactly what gives this game a certain charm, along with of course its cute and cute beavers.
And don’t accidentally forget about their health! A healthy beaver = a good life. You have to make sure they have food to eat (logically), a place where they can sharpen their teeth, a bathtub where they can take a bath after a working day, and their own oasis of peace and relaxation. All this is important in a psychological and physical sense, because at the beginning of the game you can run out of beavers very quickly. And listen, they are clever animals, but you never know who is destined to be sent to the emergency room by a tree.
Otherwise, your Dabrograd is a very lively and dynamic place. Although the visuals of the game are nothing spectacular, it’s wonderful to see the city breathing with its full lungs. Little ones run around in the streets and run home in a panic when they stay outside after dark. Workers take care of the crops, collect water and greet their fellow citizens. Hunting stories told at the end of the day or sunbathing on the roofs of residential buildings truly give life and warmth to harsh reality.
It’s wonderful to see the city breathe with its full lungs.
Water is a very important factor in the world of Timberborn. There are times when it simply disappears and a drought occurs. If you are not well stocked or dammed, you will have a hard time surviving dry periods. And they can really vary from a few to several tens of days. In order not to torture the beavers and leave the workforce for other things, you can get electricity using water mills. Of course, there are also windmills and beaver wheels.
There are also possibilities of planting rushes and water lilies. You can eat them raw or bake them in the kitchen and add extra flavor to your beavers. Every crop has its shelf life during the dry season. Natural berries can withstand ten days of drought, while potatoes deteriorate after only one day. Be careful where you plant, because if something is far from a source of water, it will be bad for it. Speaking of planting crops in water, I find it a bit baffling that beavers are looking for stairs. Dear beavers, why do you need stairs to go down into the water, since you are that – beavers!? I understand when a stream or river dries up because you have to go down, but when the bed is full of fresh water, it’s a bit illogical.
There are also polluted water sources. It is toxic water that kills fertile soil. The good thing is that you actually have the option to use it and prevent it from crossing with your drinking water. I’m saying, there are a bunch of options you can play with to ensure a safe flow of healthy water while still protecting yourself from toxicity.
There is also a difference in the selection of beaver species. There are Folktails who are socially minded beavers. They will do hard work, but it is important for them to have family, friends, free time and safe sleep. On the other hand, Iron Teeth are hard workers and industrialists who focus on work and progress through industry, in contrast to Folktails who are still more oriented towards nature and green actions.
Oh yes, if you get sick of micromanaging later, there are automated helpers that will make your job easier and save you the trouble of checking each individual item. Of course, all of this needs to be unlocked by having your beavers do science. You have nothing served on a platter so you can choose what to build. No, no – the vast majority of things remain locked because they rely on your scientific progress.
One note: don’t accidentally misplace any thing or object. Are you wondering why? Because Timberborn does not offer the option to move built objects. Once you build them, that’s it – no tweaking. If you realize that you have placed something wrong, you have to demolish that same object, pick up the remaining resources and go to construction again. I mean, it’s a good thing that the game gives you resources back, but do we have to do an extra move? I’d say it wasn’t necessary, especially since you don’t have any sense of danger.
Timberborn does not offer the option to move built objects. Once you build them, that’s it – no tweaking.
Although Timberborn does not appear graphically attractive, with its unique appearance and pleasant background music, it offers a truly beautiful and comfortable atmosphere. Yes, unlike other similar games, Timberborn is quite simple. Only two types of beavers and a dozen maps, three of which are for beginners, offer a slightly different challenge. If you view the maps as the various modes of Timberborn, congratulations – you’ll enjoy yourself. If you’re looking for more than one game mode, listen up – this might not be the game for you.
To conclude the story, Timberborn has its flaws, but it unapologetically allows you to be creative in building your own city through the development of an endangered population. It makes excellent use of the beavers’ strongest asset, which is the combination of their creativity and playful water mechanics.
I think it’s ungrateful to rate a game like this. It really is a title of a pleasant experience that, despite all its flaws, will not get on your nerves. Going by what Steam has to offer, recommendation or not, I’d definitely say this is worth playing. Adding to that is the fact that the game really sets a relaxing tone, without making you unnecessarily nervous.