Before We Leave
Aug 03, 2022 4 years ago
Before We Leave is a non-violent city building game set on multiple planets in your own cozy corner of the universe. Your people emerge from a long period hidden underground and they’ve forgotten the world above. Rebuild civilization back to what it once was by building huts, harvesting potatoes and expanding your reborn society to other continents and eventually other planets. Manage resources, discover ancient tech and create a multi-planet network of colonies to thrive in your solar system. But the universe is not always a safe place. Ancient guardians, remnants of your ancestors, will demand your attention and challenge your cities. The planets you inhabit are scarred by the disasters that forced your forebears underground, and those disasters will still plague you if not managed properly. And most of all, watch out for vast planet-eating space whales coming to graze on your planets! Before We Leave is a (mostly) non-violent game. There are no weapons, no fighting your neighbours for control of resources and unless you fail to handle an incoming space whale, your people will not die. Play, expand and chill out at your own pace in your own solar system of rehabilitated planets!
What it’s like
Before We Leave offers a serene, hex-based city-building experience where players guide post-cataclysm humanity from underground bunkers to a thriving multi-planet civilization. The core loop focuses on resource management and expansion across distinct planetary bodies, encouraging a sense of grand scale and reclamation. Visually, it presents a charming, low-poly aesthetic that emphasizes coziness over grit, supported by optimized performance that ensures smooth gameplay even as your empire grows. While the premise suggests a relaxing sandbox, the underlying mechanics introduce tension through pollution levels and citizen happiness, creating a delicate balance between expansion and sustainability. The game distinguishes itself with whimsical threats like planet-eating space whales, adding unique strategic layers to the traditional city-builder formula without resorting to violence. It is less about deep narrative or complex social dynamics and more about the satisfying progression of building a resilient, interplanetary network.
Strong in Exploration / WorldAtmosphere / MoodPolish / PerformanceProgression / ReplayabilityVisuals / Art
Keep in mind The relaxing tone can quickly shift to stress as pollution and unhappiness mechanics punish unchecked expansion, potentially frustrating players seeking pure chill gameplay. Additionally, while visually polished, some reviewers note that the strategic depth may feel shallow compared to more complex 4X titles, limiting long-term replayability for hardcore strategy fans.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from pcgamer.com, metacritic.com, en.wikipedia.org, screenrant.com, ladiesgamers.com, thexboxhub.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | May 08, 20206 years ago |
| Mac | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 18, 20215 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 23, 20215 years ago |
| Xbox Series X|S | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 23, 20215 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Apr 05, 20224 years ago |
| PlayStation 5 | Worldwide | Full release | Apr 05, 20224 years ago |
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 03, 20224 years ago |
