Terraformental

About Terraformental

There’s something compelling about a game that doesn’t hand you the reset button right away. Terraformental, a survival-strategy title from Shadowsand, drops you on an unfamiliar planet and asks a simple question: how far can you get before the planet eats you alive?

It’s not flashy. It’s not fast. But it’s the kind of game that gets under your skin.

The World Isn’t Yours. Yet.

You start with next to nothing, just a few survivors and the promise of tools you’ll have to earn. It’s incremental, yes, but not idle in the usual sense. You can’t just click a few buttons and walk away. You need to think, plan, and adapt to the ever-shifting environment. Food rots. Resources dwindle. Weird weather patterns roll in and ruin your best-laid plans.

There’s no looping mechanic at the beginning, which might frustrate some players used to prestige systems and quick resets. But that’s the point. You live with your choices. Mistakes echo. Survival feels earned.

Strategy in Layers

As your colony grows, things get more complex. You’ll send out scouts, unlock tech, manage ecosystems, and make decisions that affect not just your survival but your planet’s transformation. Eventually, yes, you’ll unlock more traditional incremental features—automation, resource loops, faster progress, but getting there is half the game.

If you’ve played A Dark Room, Cell to Singularity, or Universal Paperclips, you’ll recognize that rhythm: simple beginnings that gradually expand into something much more absorbing.

Still Early, But Already Intriguing

The game’s in early access, with a prologue and three main chapters available so far. Each chapter shifts tone and gameplay in interesting ways. And Shadowsand is clearly committed - they’re rolling out major updates every few months and seem to be listening closely to player feedback.

It’s rough in spots, sure. Some UI elements feel clunky, and the difficulty curve can spike without warning. But it’s also got a beating heart and a sense of atmosphere that’s hard to fake.

Worth Keeping an Eye On

Terraformental isn’t for everyone. If you want instant gratification, this isn’t your game. But if you like your strategy with a side of mystery and your survival games with actual consequences, it’s worth digging into.

Just don’t expect the planet to welcome you. At least not right away.