The city builder genre can seem pretty daunting and overwhelming to a newcomer. I am sure I am not the only one who has spent sleepless nights building up a new settlement, only to lead my people to their demise countless hours later. Fabledom, Grenaa Games’ debut title, aims to create a more wholesome and laid-back experience that will be a good fit even for inexperienced players wanting to dip their toes into the world of colony sims.
A Whimsical Take on the City Builder Genre
Fabledom’s concept sets itself apart not only with its relaxed vibes and more straightforward gameplay but also with an exciting fairy tale theme. Your settlers are called fablings, and buildings, events, and mobs all take a fantastical spin. As you expand, you will discover magical, flying pigs, massive beanstalks to the kingdom of the giants, geese that lay golden eggs, and mystical, cursed ruins.
Fairy Tale Themes and Fantastical Elements
As already very apparent from its silly trailer, it is a game that does not take itself too seriously. From the starting screen onwards, the player meets the narrator, a quirky and sarcastic character who will guide you through the game as if it were a fairy tale book. He talks you through the basics during the tutorial but occasionally interrupts with clever quips throughout the later parts. While the humor might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it worked very well for me and conveyed the light-hearted atmosphere of Fabledom well.
Humor and Guidance from a Quirky Narrator
While the humor might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it worked very well for me and conveyed the light-hearted atmosphere of Fabledom well.
Fabledom is quite simple and effectively teaches the player the mechanics with easy quests that build on each other and evolve in complexity. However, even in the later stages, it cuts out a lot of the micromanagement other titles in the genre seem to favor and streamline the process for the player. For example, workers can easily be assigned to buildings with a simple button click, and the game will automatically assign the most suitable villagers.
Simple Mechanics and Player-Friendly Features
Should you run out of food for your fablings in the first winter, an event will trigger that automatically gives you extra food to last through the season. In general, while its simplicity makes it a good entrance into the genre, Fabledom eventually hits a wall where players will unlock new types of fablings and buildings, however none of the mechanics evolve much past the starting stage.
Streamlined Gameplay and Resource Management
I started off being bothered by not being able to easily see if the consumption rate for a resource exceeded its current production rate or not; however, I quickly realized it didn’t matter as I never got punished for running out of food, coal, or any other of the resources.
Fabledom, Grenaa Games’ debut title, aims to create a more wholesome and laid-back experience that will be a good fit even for inexperienced players.
There is a mechanic to add upgrades to existing buildings, such as a forester to lumber camps, which will make fablings replant trees that are being chopped down instead of deforesting the entire area. On the occasions I forgot, however, I already had so much money that I could buy one of the adjacent areas and start clearing a new batch of wood instead. This upgrade mechanic did not appear again for long, which I thought was a shame.
Upgrade Mechanic and Lack of Complexity
The cycles of unlocking a new tier of upgrades, constructing them all, and expanding the settlement to unlock yet another tier start very satisfying but eventually run out of steam as the game does not evolve in complexity. Constructing buildings and gathering resources also takes a long time, with little to do or manage during those wait times. Different difficulty modes do add some challenge to the gameplay; however, it still lacks the gradual build-in pressure and aspects to manage that similar titles have.
Beautiful Visuals and Mythical Discoveries
One thing that stood out to me was the gorgeous, colorful look of Fabledom and the fantastical elements that made the wait more pleasant. I enjoyed watching my villagers go about their daily lives and discovering the mythical creatures in the lands. There is a particular type of fablings named heroes, and you can control them individually, asking them to go on adventures or explore mythical places such as the magic beanstalk. I waited with bated breath for the beanstalk to finish growing to the kingdom of the giants so my hero could climb it and unlock new, fantastical buildings for me to construct in my kingdom.
Because the game is not very complex or punishing, it will also allow the player to focus a lot on building an aesthetically pleasing, sprawling kingdom without worrying too much about losing all their progress. It is easy to get really invested in your settlement and put a lot of effort into making it beautiful and look like a real magical kingdom.
A Perfect Introduction for Newcomers
While Fabledom might not be a good fit for those looking for a challenge or a lot of complexity in their city builder, it is an excellent introduction for those who might usually find the experience too daunting. It is a perfect game to relax and get lost in the whimsy of fairy tales, but it risks losing the player’s interest by lacking the intricacies of other titles in the same genre.
Fabledom
Fabledom is a whimsical city builder that combines fairy tale themes with relaxed gameplay, making it perfect for newcomers to the genre. While it may lack the complexity and challenge of other city builders, its beautiful visuals, simple mechanics, and light-hearted humor create a delightful and engaging experience. If you're looking for a game to unwind with and enjoy building a magical kingdom, Fabledom is a charming choice.
The Good
- Wholesome and Laid-back Experience: Fabledom provides a welcoming entry point into city-building games for newcomers.
- Unique Fairy Tale Theme: The game's enchanting setting and fantastical elements, such as magical creatures and mythical places, add charm and immersion.
- Light-hearted Humor: Fabledom's quirky and sarcastic narrator contributes to its light-hearted atmosphere, making the experience enjoyable.
- Streamlined Gameplay Mechanics: Simplified processes, like easy quests and automatic worker assignment, make the game accessible and user-friendly.
- Beautiful Visuals: The gorgeous, colorful aesthetics enhance the player's enjoyment and immersion in the game world.
The Bad
- Lack of Complexity: The game's mechanics may feel shallow or lacking in depth, especially for players seeking a more challenging experience.
- Limited Evolution: Gameplay mechanics do not evolve significantly beyond the initial stages, leading to potential monotony or lack of progression.
- Slow Pacing: Construction and resource gathering processes can feel sluggish, with long wait times and little to do during these periods.
- Lack of Strategic Depth: The game may lack the strategic depth and intricacies found in other city-building titles, potentially limiting long-term engagement.
- Risk of Losing Interest: While Fabledom is relaxing and charming, it runs the risk of losing players' interest over time due to its simplicity and lack of complexity.