Game: EcoGnomix
Genre: Strategy, Roguelite
System: Steam (Windows) (Also available on Nintendo Switch)
Developer|Publisher: Irox Games | Untold Tales
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $ 19.99 | UK £ 16.75 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: September 30th, 2024
A review code was provided, and thanks to Wire Tap Media.
EcoGnomix: A Clever Mix of Genres
EcoGnomix is a charming hybrid of a turn-based mining game and a relaxing city builder, blending these elements to create a highly entertaining rogue-lite experience. Its unique mixture of gameplay makes it appealing to players who might be put off by the more intense action found in traditional roguelites. EcoGnomix allows for careful planning and a more relaxed pace while still offering challenges along the way. If you’re looking for something different that can be enjoyed in bite-sized sessions, this game is definitely worth your time.
The Pursuit of Gold
The premise of the game follows a greedy gnome prospector whose ambition is to explore deadly cave depths in search of treasure. However, rather than venturing in himself, he hires other gnomes with various skills to do the dirty work for him. The game’s humour and style are tongue-in-cheek, all wrapped in a soft, low-poly art style that complements the lighthearted tone. Despite the slightly dark premise, the game remains family-friendly; when gnomes meet their untimely end in the caves, they simply turn into cute little ghosts.
Though the plot is simple and secondary to the gameplay, the quirky dialogue and amusing concept are enough to get a few chuckles. Ultimately, EcoGnomix knows that its strength lies in its gameplay, and players looking to jump straight into the action will be pleased with how quickly things get moving.
Enter the Caves
EcoGnomix splits its gameplay into two core styles. The first is strategic, turn-based action, where you place gnomes on a level board before pressing play, allowing them to perform seven actions in the cave. Depending on where they’re placed, gnomes will either mine for resources or fight enemies if they are equipped to do so. Your objective is to travel deeper into the cave system, surviving each room long enough to move on and eventually facing a boss battle.
Unlike many roguelites, you don’t need to clear a room of enemies to progress; surviving one round in a room is often enough to move forward. Resource management is key to making it deeper into the caves. Wood, gathered from mining trees and plants, is essential for hiring new gnomes and unlocking upgrades at vendors. Food obtained by mining animals like chickens and deer is also critical; at the end of each turn, you need enough food in your inventory to avoid an attack from bats that could abruptly end your run. It’s all about deciding when to press on and hoping the next room has the resources you need. Or lingering longer where you are despite the increasing bat threat.
Recruiting Gnomes
Success in mining depends on hiring gnomes of different classes. You start with simple workers like woodcutters, who gather wood, and huntresses, who focus on mining food. As you progress, new classes are unlocked, such as cooks, who can gather both wood and food to increase your supplies but cannot attack enemies. Special classes like ninja gnomes, who can mine both resources and fight, also become available, as well as many more.
Creating a balanced team of gnomes is crucial to how far you’ll be able to progress into the mines. However, even in failure, the game rewards you. When a run ends, you’re sent back to the surface to unlock new perks, gnome classes, and other extras to prepare for your next run. This loop keeps the gameplay satisfying, even when things don’t go your way.
City Management
Once you’re back on the surface, the focus shifts to city building and resource management. Here, you can construct buildings that farm resources, unlocking more upgrades and triggering perks, such as bonuses in wood and food for future runs. You also have the creative freedom to design your city, placing buildings and paths as you see fit. Treasure chests found in the mines unlock cosmetic items, allowing you to add your own unique flair to the city.
A Chilled Experience
Overall, EcoGnomix offers a relaxed experience. Whether you’re delving into the mines to plan your moves or building your city, the game allows you to take your time and enjoy the process. The short length of each run makes it an ideal pick for busy gamers, and I found it especially enjoyable on the Steam Deck.
That said, I did hit a bit of a wall when facing some of the tougher bosses. The game locks a significant portion of its skill tree behind progress in new biomes, which meant I had built up a lot of excess resources without being able to advance until I got lucky with the random generation and gnome team composition. Slightly reducing the difficulty of these boss fights would improve the pacing. However, even with this challenge, I had fun retrying runs and experimenting with different strategies.
Conclusion: Gnome-tacular
EcoGnomix is a refreshing take on the rogue-lite genre, successfully combining turn-based strategy with city building. It offers something new and different from other titles in this space, and its relaxed approach makes it perfect for players who aren’t fans of fast-paced, high-stakes gameplay but still want a rewarding challenge. Whether you’re looking for a quick game session or a longer playthrough, EcoGnomix is sure to keep you engaged.
Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot
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