Synergy: The Indie Construction Game Plays Ghibli World Players 7 Comments
In Synergy, players are tasked with building a thriving colony in a seemingly strange and hostile environment that can best survive in synergy with its surroundings. The indie game has now moved from Early Access to version 1.0. Reviews on Steam are “very positive.”
Between Ghiblifilm and Moebius
The premise and beginning of Synergy are—as is so often the case with construction games—anything but surprising, but well-known: arriving in a new, uninhabited and supposedly uninhabitable land, it is important to build the first houses and factories with a single, fleeting supply of resources and a few settlers. Raw materials need to be collected, workers need to be allocated and nursed. However, Synergy embraces these familiar mechanics in a game world that quickly seems to be borrowed from the Valley of the Winds for skilled players—the atmosphere is also reminiscent of a Wandering Village, for example, while the striking graphic style of Jean Giraud could be taken from it. Logically, Leikir Studio is also a French independent developer.
Synergy
In any case, the building process is based on the unique game world: what the various fantastic plants do, what raw materials you can produce, and what actions players shouldn’t take with you must be gradually explored and tested. Consequently, the search for new technologies and thus new production opportunities is paramount when it comes to expanding the game.
The city’s buildings can be divided into different districts, each defined by a unique location, providing its own bonuses within its radius. Classic structure puzzles are also offered: which buildings, layout, and orientation are particularly effective are worth exploring; the optimization potential should encourage tinkering. Players can also send out expeditions. Along new paths, adventurers can encounter resources, new regions, plants, quests, and other survivors who, with a little luck and persuasion, can join their own colony.
1.0 Release on Steam and GOG
Synergy entered Early Access in mid-2024. Nearly a year later, the 1.0 update has now been released, bringing a huge range of new features, balance changes, and fixes. The game’s price remains unchanged at around €25. Synergy is available on Steam and GOG. On both platforms, there’s a 24% discount as part of an introductory offer, bringing the price down to around €19. The offer runs until April 30, 2025.
Reviews on Steam are “very positive,” with 84 to 88 percent. Particular praise is given to the game’s comfortable character, adorable graphics, and the game world, which is unique in the genre. However, if you’re looking for a strategic challenge, fast-paced gameplay, or variety beyond dozens of hours, you might not be right for the indie game’s synergy.
Topics: Building Strategy Gaming Indie Game Strategy Games Source: Leirkir Studio
A lifelong video game enthusiast, Julien reviews the latest releases and explores the technologies transforming the gaming world.
