Dawnfolk is a must-play if you like chilled unique city-builders

If you like your games that try to break the mold, you should definitely check out the recently released Dawnfolk from Darenn Keller. Made with Godot it has Native Linux support and is also Steam Deck Verified. Note: key provided for me.

Rather unique and not a city-builder like you would expect. Here you take on the role of a ruler who has lost their kingdom to an oppressive darkness. Guided by a mythical companion, Lueur, you explore the world tile-by-tile to expand and remove the darkness.

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What makes it really unique is not just the setup and visuals but how you actually interact with the game. Most tiles you build in give you little mini-games to do, making every action an added little challenge. It's all quite laid-back though, going as slow or as quickly as you want it to and easy enough to get through, but the result is a thoroughly different take. I couldn't help but be thoroughly charmed by it the more I played of it, and the more I was able to illuminate the map to see all the secrets hidden away.

Coming from the mind of Darenn Keller, who originally worked for Ubisoft Bordeaux on the likes of Ghost Recon and the Assassin's Creed franchises. This is their first independent game and they very much succeeded in making something really interesting.

The developer also announced that in managed to hit over 10,000 sales in the first 5 days. Not bad for a first indie release from a solo developer.

The mixture of simplicity with lots of little game mechanics together really sells the experience. One not to miss and easy to recommend to anyone.

Highlights:

• A Unique Blend of City-Building & Mini-Games – Your success depends not only on strategy but also on skillful execution of resource-gathering mini-games.
• A Dark, Atmospheric World – A fresh take on the city-builder genre with an eerie yet beautiful aesthetic.
• Play at Your Own Pace – Build a thriving settlement in under an hour or take your time uncovering the lore and secrets of the realm.
• Designed for Accessibility – Easy to pick up, yet filled with strategic depth for those who seek a challenge.