Terra Nil Explained

Terra Nil
Developer:Free Lives
Publisher:Devolver Digital
Composer:Meydän
Engine:Unity
Genre:City-building
Modes:Single-player

Terra Nil is a strategy video game developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital. The game was released for Windows, iOS and Android on March 28, 2023; the mobile port was released as part of the Netflix subscription service.[1] Ports for macOS, Linux, and the Nintendo Switch were released later in 2023.

While the gameplay focuses on placing buildings, as is common in city-building games, Terra Nil is the reverse – focusing instead on ecosystem reconstruction.[2] Rather than promoting the consumption of resources to expand, the game is inspired by the rewilding movement and the climate crisis, and seeks to restore nature rather than exploit it.[3] [4]

Gameplay

Players are tasked with turning a barren wasteland into an ecological paradise with a variety of flora and fauna.[5]

This is achieved by placing a number of buildings on the landscape which allow you to terraform. Wind turbines provide power, but can only be placed on stone tiles. These are used to power toxin scrubbers, which prepare the soil for irrigation. Water pumps are used to refill dried river beds, while additional tools allow the player to create new rivers and new stone tiles anywhere on the map.[6] [7] [8]

For each tile which is converted from wasteland into lush ecosystem, the player is rewarded with points, which can be spent on further buildings and upgrades.

In the second stage of the game, players can upgrade existing buildings to create biomes such as wetlands, wildflower meadows and dense forests.[9] Restoring these biomes will cause herds of deer, flocks of birds, schools of fish and lone wandering bears to populate the map.[10]

The unique selling point of the game comes in the third phase, where – once a sufficient amount of the ecosystem and weather has been restored – the player is tasked with recycling the buildings they have placed in order to create an airship on which they will leave the map. Doing so, they will leave no trace of their presence; just a rewilded paradise.[11] [12]

Development

Terra Nil was developed by a three-person team (Sam Alfred, Jonathan Hau-Yoon, and Jarred Lunt) at the South African studio Free Lives using the Unity game engine.[13] It was announced on June 7, 2021. The game was originally developed by Sam Alfred, Jonathan Hau-Yoon, and Jarred Lunt for Ludum Dare 45 in October 2019[14] and released on Itch.io.[15] However, in October 2020, the developers formed a partnership with Free Lives to produce a more in-depth version with more levels and upgraded graphics.[16] [17]

A free demo was made available to download on 16 June 2021 as part of the Steam Next Fest.[18] The game was released for Windows, Android, and iOS on March 28, 2023. The mobile versions are part of the Netflix subscription service.[19] The PC release was updated to support Linux and macOS on October 5, 2023.[20] A Nintendo Switch version was released on December 18, 2023.[21]

Reception

Terra Nil received "generally positive" reviews on Metacritic.[22] [23]

PC Gamer said that the game is "a consistently relaxing, satisfying experience" that does not aim to supplant established, complex games like Civilization or Anno.[24] Hardcore Gamer praised its "simple yet incredibly fun gameplay, striking and gorgeous visuals, and a nice level of challenge".[25] Rock Paper Shotgun found the reverse city-builder puzzle elements to be "an unavoidable punishment",[26] though Hardcore Gamer singled them out as the game's "most clever and unique hook". Criticizing the game's focus on "chasing numbers", Rock Paper Shotguns reviewer felt that the game's later stages ruin its relaxing mood. In contrast, The Guardian found the gameplay to be "more forgiving than expected" and praised how the game's elements come together to make it relaxing. They also felt the game's simplicity and easiness reinforced its message that cleaning up the environment could be made simple.[27]

Awards and nominations

YearCeremonyCategoryResult
2023The Game Awards 2023Best Mobile Game[28]
Games for Impact
2024New York Game AwardsA-Train Award for Best Mobile Game[29] [30]
27th Annual D.I.C.E. AwardsMobile Game of the Year[31] [32]
24th Game Developers Choice AwardsSocial Impact Award[33] [34]
Audience Award
20th British Academy Games AwardsGame Beyond Entertainment[35] [36]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ryan . Jackson . 2021-06-18 . Terra Nil reengineers the city-building game for a planet in crisis . 2021-08-18 . . January 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220106162231/https://www.cnet.com/news/terra-nil-reengineers-the-city-building-game-for-a-planet-in-crisis/ . live .
  2. Web site: Newhouse . Alex . 8 June 2021 . Reverse City Builder Terra Nil Tasks You With Re-Wilding The Environment . . June 23, 2021 . May 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230501103441/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/reverse-city-builder-terra-nil-tasks-you-with-re-wilding-the-environment/1100-6492556/ . live .
  3. Hill . Mark . 6 January 2022 . Indie city-building games finally reckon with climate change . . January 21, 2022 . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403050824/https://www.wired.com/story/city-builder-games-climate-change/ . live .
  4. Web site: Switzer . Eric . 12 January 2022 . The Terra Nil demo makes me feel hopeful in a hopeless world . TheGamer . January 21, 2022 . May 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230504072803/https://www.thegamer.com/terra-nil-reverse-city-builder-devolver-indie/ . live .
  5. Web site: Gerblick . Jordan . 7 June 2021 . Terra Nil subverts the city-builder genre with an eco-friendly demo next week . . June 23, 2021 . May 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230501103439/https://www.gamesradar.com/terra-nil-subverts-the-city-builder-genre-with-an-eco-friendly-demo-next-week/ . live .
  6. Web site: Purchese . Robert . 16 June 2021 . Steam Next Fest: BroForce dev's world-regrower Terra Nil is blooming marvellous . . June 23, 2021 . January 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220106170106/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-16-broforce-devs-world-regrower-terra-nil-is-blooming-marvellous . live .
  7. Web site: Zwiezen . Zack . 19 June 2021 . Terra Nil Isn't A City-Builder, It's A Nature-Builder And It's Great . . June 23, 2021 . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403043821/https://kotaku.com/terra-nil-isnt-a-city-builder-its-a-nature-builder-and-1847134851 . live .
  8. Web site: Devore . Jordan . 9 June 2021 . Terra Nil is a tranquil 'reverse city-builder' from Free Lives and Devolver Digital . . June 23, 2021 . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403043821/https://www.destructoid.com/terra-nil-tranquil-reverse-city-builder-free-lives-devolver-digital/ . live .
  9. Web site: Livingston . Christopher . 16 June 2021 . Transforming a barren wasteland into a leafy green paradise feels damn good in Terra Nil . . June 23, 2021 . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403043819/https://www.pcgamer.com/transforming-a-barren-wasteland-into-a-leafy-green-paradise-feels-damn-good-in-terra-nil/ . live .
  10. Web site: Kratky . Otto . 16 June 2021 . Terra Nil preview impressions: Less concrete and more topiary in this reverse city-builder . . June 23, 2021 . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403043823/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/terra-nil-preview-impressions-e3/ . live .
  11. Web site: Terra Nil: A Game For Easing Climate Anxiety . IrishEVs . 23 June 2021 . June 23, 2021 . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403043824/https://www.irishevs.com/terra-nil-a-game-for-easing-climate-anxiety . live .
  12. Web site: Madsen . Hayes . 16 June 2021 . Terra Nil Preview: Turning the World Green . . June 23, 2021 . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403045325/https://screenrant.com/terra-nil-preview-e3-city-builder/ . live .
  13. Web site: Terra Nil Press Kit . . 11 January 2023 . May 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524171537/https://freelives.net/terra-nil/ . live .
  14. Web site: Terra Nil - Reclaim the Wasteland . 2022-06-21 . . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403043823/https://ldjam.com/events/ludum-dare/45/terra-nil-reclaim-the-wasteland . live .
  15. Web site: Terra Nil Prototype by vfqd, TheJunt, elyaradine . 2022-06-21 . . en . April 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230413210517/https://vfqd.itch.io/terra-nil . live .
  16. Web site: Hall . Charlie . 7 June 2021 . Terra Nil is a beautiful 'reverse city-builder' from the developer behind Broforce . . June 23, 2021 . March 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331131421/https://www.polygon.com/22522707/terra-nil-reverse-city-builder-broforce-release-date-price . live .
  17. Web site: Shaw . Luke . 8 June 2021 . Reverse city builder 'Terra Nil' gets a remake thanks to Devolver Digital . . June 23, 2021 . April 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403043819/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/reverse-city-builder-terra-nil-gets-a-remake-thanks-to-devolver-digital-2963686 . live .
  18. Web site: Williams . Leah J. . 18 June 2021 . Let's Check Out Unpacking, Terra Nil And Other Steam Next Fest Demos . . June 23, 2021 . April 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230414120113/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/06/stream-alert-steam-next-fest-demos/ . live .
  19. Web site: Anyone with a Netflix account can play one of the most visionary games of the year – for free. Peppiatt. Dom. VG247. 2023-03-29. 2023-07-26. July 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230726222205/https://www.vg247.com/netflix-free-game-terra-nil. live.
  20. Web site: 5 October 2023 . Better Performance and macOS/Linux . . 2023-11-22 . November 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231122130431/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1593030/view/3744237743320219354 . live .
  21. Web site: Terra Nil coming to Switch on December 18 . Sal . Romano . December 11, 2023 . Gematsu . December 12, 2023 . December 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212140242/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/12/terra-nil-coming-to-switch-on-december-18 . live.
  22. Web site: Terra Nil for PC Reviews. Metacritic. 2023-05-15.
  23. Web site: Terra Nil for iPhone/iPad Reviews. Metacritic. 2023-04-05.
  24. Web site: Terra Nil review. Tarason. Dominic. PC Gamer. 2023-03-27. 2023-04-03. May 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230531140150/https://www.pcgamer.com/terra-nil-review/. live.
  25. Web site: Review: Terra Nil. LeClair. Kyle. Hardcore Gamer. 2023-03-28. 2023-04-03. May 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230529071000/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-terra-nil/439117/. live.
  26. Web site: Terra Nil review: a pretty reverse citybuilder that struggles to find its identity. Hefford. Hayden. Rock Paper Shotgun. 2023-03-27. 2023-04-03. April 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406031614/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/terra-nil-review#comments. live.
  27. News: Terra Nil review – restore nature, and with it your hope for the future. Hetfeld. Malindy. The Guardian. 2023-03-27. 2023-04-03. June 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230620024332/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/mar/27/terra-nil-review-restore-nature-and-with-it-your-hope-for-the-future. live.
  28. Web site: All The Game Awards 2023 Winners Revealed . Makuch . Eddie . . . December 7, 2023 . December 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231208051135/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/all-the-game-awards-2023-winners-revealed/2900-4977/ . December 8, 2023 . live .
  29. Web site: Alan Wake II and Baldur's Gate 3 lead 2024 New York Game Awards nominees . 2024-01-04 . . Kerr . Chris . https://web.archive.org/web/20240104235316/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/alan-wake-ii-and-baldur-s-gate-3-lead-2024-new-york-game-awards-nominees . 2024-01-04 . live.
  30. Web site: Baldur's Gate 3 wins big at New York Game Awards 2024 . 2024-01-24 . Games Industry.biz . McEvoy . Sophie .
  31. Web site: 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists . . interactive.org . 11 January 2024.
  32. Web site: DICE Awards 2023 Winners: The Full List . Bankhurst . Adam . . 15 February 2024 . 16 February 2024.
  33. Web site: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur's Gate 3 top GDC Award nominations . 2024-01-16 . . Sinclair . Brendan . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116192333/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-baldurs-gate-3-top-gdc-award-nominations . 2024-01-16 . live.
  34. Web site: Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 Winners: The Full List . . Bankhurst . Adam . 20 March 2024 . 23 March 2024.
  35. Web site: Bafta Games Awards 2024: Baldur's Gate 3 and Spider-Man lead nods. BBC News. 7 March 2024. 7 March 2024.
  36. Web site: 20th BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations. BAFTA. 7 March 2024. 12 April 2024.

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