Kainga: Seeds of Civilization

A village-building and survival game developed by one single man, Kainga is an enjoyable and complete gaming experience. Grow your tribe in a setting that changes with every new run. You'll always have to adapt to different environments, often filled with danger. Impossible to put down but don't skip the tutorial!

"I've travelled to more than 60 countries all around the world, and I was constantly surprised by the variety and complexity of local culture and history. I've always wanted to play a city building game that featured real cultural variation, and after sitting waiting for far too long, I decided to make one myself!"

Those are the words in which Erik Rempen, the sole developer behind Kainga, describes the genesis of this great little game.

Kainga is a rogue-lite village-builder set in a mysterious world filled with danger.

Every time you start a new game, your first task will be to build a village in which your people can survive and flourish. You'll choose what kind of structure to build based on the materials found around you.

Your people live in constant danger from severe weather, environmental events, the plants and wildlife, as well as raids by other tribes.

As your village grows, the events become more intense, subjecting your people to more pressure and putting your decisions to the test.

You, the player, will converse like a God with your village's Thinker. He is the one who will pass on your decisions and orders to your people. But make sure you keep him safe: he's vulnerable and if he perishes, you lose. That said, you'll need to expose him to danger in order to discover new concepts, because while your initial discoveries can be made near your initial settlement, later ones are found scattered across the map.

We loved how quick the games were for a city management game. Instead of being just another endless city builder, Kainga: Seeds of Civilization is built around short challenges lasting from 30 minutes to an hour. Each run is a new experience in a totally new location.

There's no shortage of threats in Kainga, with major meteorological events to content with, but try and seize every opportunity they present. A drought, for example, might let you cross an expanse once covered with water, and beasts of all sizes can be tamed. When you tame them, you'll automatically unlock a new innovation.

We liked the variety of locations for your settlement: from luxurious tropical rainforests to snowy wastes, and including island archipelagos and arid plains where giant beasts roam.

The ones that stood out for us were the windswept desert containing rare resources, and the chain of small islands that made travelling a challenge. As you progress through the game, you'll unlock new biomes that radically change the way you play.

Our tip to help you on your way? Remember that the Thinkers you didn't choose to work with will become your competitors, so get ready for some neighbourly disputes.

As you earn experience, you'll discover new technologies that you can use in your next run.

A stealth hit!