An EA code was provided, with many thanks to Big Games Machine.
Ark of Charon, released on Early Access, blends colony simulation with tower defence elements. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the sacred World Tree has withered, and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Ark of Charon introduces you to the role of the caretaker for a new sapling, embarking on a journey to ensure its growth and the revival of life.
You must nurture the fragile tree sprout as you guide it to its permanent home. Before you set off, you will need to construct a mobile city on the sapling’s back, defying gravity and managing the very limited space as you build a thriving community on the sapling.
Manage a Tree Sapling in Ark of Charon
You’ll also manage the sapling, transforming it into a fortified mobile fortress to survive monster attacks. The gameplay involves directing Golems to gather resources, constructing defences, and eventually navigating through various environments when it’s time for the sapling to move on.
This combination of resource management and tower defence creates a pretty engaging experience. However, it can be confusing to begin with because the game’s tutorial is not very helpful or detailed.
Resource Management and Construction
One of the main aspects that I like the most about Ark of Charon is resource gathering and mining below the sapling, which is rooted in the ground. You can mine and harvest essential materials such as wood and stone, which are then used to build and upgrade the sapling’s defences.
The golems are meant to collect resources, but I found that a lot of the time, they stand around, not doing much at all. For instance, I wanted to mine underground, but the golems had other ideas; one golem ran around above ground looking lost, and the other two golems went and had something to eat, then lounged around, not really doing much of anything.
While you can increase the priority of jobs for each golem, it doesn’t do much. You can’t click on an individual golem and command it to complete a task, so that means you spend a lot of time watching and hoping they will get the hint and actually do the work you require of them.
You need to make efficient use of the very limited space atop the sapling. This requires careful planning to balance the stockpiling and storage of resources, manufacturing ammunition, and constructing defensive structures.
Journey and Exploration
Once you have enough resources stored and defences constructed, it’s time to move on to the next area. You and the golems embark on a journey with the sapling, choosing a new destination on the map based on available resources and potential threats in that area.
When it’s time to move on, the sapling sprouts four legs and walks to the next area. It’s pretty cool watching the sapling spring out of the ground and start to walk, and it’s well-animated, too.
Additionally, each area presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring careful consideration and planning. Unlocking ancient technologies and discovering relics adds a layer of depth to the gameplay and also allows you to enhance your sapling’s defences and capabilities.
Combat and Defence
While the sapling is on the move to the next area, Ark of Charon throws constant challenges at you. Once a Dark Storm begins, the screen turns red, and a bunch of flying monsters attack the sapling. You must protect the saplings’ Core; that’s the shiny mirror thing sitting on top of the sapling; if it gets destroyed, it’s game over.
So, constructing and upgrading various weapons and defences is essential to protect the sapling and the golems. The combat mechanics are pretty well-implemented in the early access game. However, your defences demand strategic placement and timely upgrades to withstand the onslaught.
Visuals and Sound
Ark of Charon’s visual style blends lush environments with the starkness of a world in decline. The imaginative design of the sapling and Golems adds to the game’s charm.
On the other hand, the game’s soundtrack could be better, as it is one track on a constant loop. As the game moves through early access, I hope that more music is added to it, as listening to one track over and over again gets monotonous quickly.
Final Thoughts
The Early Access phase presents an opportunity for Ark of Charon to refine its mechanics and expand its content. The core gameplay mechanics are enjoyable, offering a mix of strategy and action. However, there are plenty of areas where additional polish and balancing are needed, and there is room for improvement.
With continued development in the right direction, the game has the potential to become a decent title in the colony simulation and tower defence genres. Hopefully, as the game evolves, players can look forward to new features, improved balancing, and expanded content.
For fans of colony simulation and tower defence games, Ark of Charon is a title to keep an eye on. You can find the Ark of Charon Steam page here, and if you are interested, add it to your Wishlist.
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