Banished (2014)

You are in charge of a group of exiled travelers who find themselves in a harsh and unforgiving land. With nothing more than their clothing and a cart filled with food, they must now fight for survival. In this society, there is no currency; instead, trade with other towns that occasionally appear is the primary way to acquire essential resources. This trade system becomes a vital component of your strategy, as it allows you to obtain the critical items needed for the survival and growth of your settlement.

At the start of the game, your people possess knowledge of all the essential technologies, but they can only put these technologies to use once they have gathered the necessary resources. Managing these resources becomes the core of the game, and your success depends on your ability to carefully balance the needs of your community. The primary resource in your settlement is the people themselves. They require not only food but also happiness to thrive. If their happiness is neglected, they will suffer from shorter lifespans and become more prone to illness, resulting in slower population growth and eventual stagnation of the town.

The residents of your settlement take on 18 different crafts, ranging from farmers to healers. The land is rich with raw materials, including ores and stone hidden beneath the earth, and forests aboveground, which can be tapped for timber. However, you must carefully manage the resources around you. As winter approaches, warm clothing and fuel are essential for the survival of your people. Harvesting wood for firewood should not be done recklessly, as cutting down too many trees can have dire consequences. The old forests must be managed wisely, as they also provide food in the form of deer herds, which feed the townspeople, as well as medicinal plants that are crucial for maintaining the health of the population.

Careful management of resources is the key to success in this challenging environment. Overusing any resource without thinking about long-term consequences will lead to disaster, and your people will suffer the consequences. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the game, as each map offers a different distribution of resources, forcing you to adapt and come up with new strategies every time you play. The scarcity of resources and the constant need to make difficult decisions are what make the game so engaging and challenging.

As you progress, your town must grow and evolve. You will need to expand your settlement by adding new structures, such as homes, workshops, and marketplaces, while also ensuring that you have enough workers to keep the town running smoothly. Balancing growth with sustainability is crucial. Overexploiting the land or overpopulating the settlement too quickly can lead to shortages of food and resources, causing your town to collapse. The survival of your people depends on your ability to plan ahead and adapt to the changing conditions of the environment.

In Banished, every decision you make has significant consequences, and you must always think carefully about the balance between expansion and sustainability. The game is a test of your strategic thinking, resource management, and ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges. The world around you is constantly changing, and only the most careful and thoughtful leaders will succeed in creating a thriving, sustainable community.

Banished is a challenging city-building game that really makes you think about survival. You manage a small group of exiles with limited resources, and every choice matters. The game can be tough, but it rewards careful planning and patience.

There is no one-size-fits-all strategy, which keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging every time. Watching your town grow while balancing food, happiness, and resources feels satisfying. It’s not for players who want fast action or easy wins.

We recommend Banished if you enjoy thoughtful, slow-paced strategy games. It’s a unique experience that tests your planning and management skills, and it’s worth the time for those who like a real challenge.