On November 19, 2024, Dreamlit Games introduced Towers of Aghasba into Early Access on Steam, offering players a unique blend of exploration, building, and ecological restoration. Set on the mythical island of Aghasba, this open-world sandbox challenges players to balance rebuilding civilization with nurturing a harmonious environment. Inspired by Studio Ghibli, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and elements of African tribal culture, the game delivers a visually stunning and conceptually ambitious experience.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
At its heart, Towers of Aghasba places you in the shoes of a Shimu architect, striving to restore the ancestral homeland ravaged by a mysterious disease called the Withered. The game emphasizes creativity, allowing players to craft villages, develop ecosystems, and discover ancient relics. The use of biomes adds depth—each biome supports unique flora, fauna, and materials, creating a sense of ownership over your island. As you progress, decisions like planting a colossal seed in specific areas will influence the creatures and plants that thrive there, adding a personal touch to the restoration process.
The game offers cooperative multiplayer options for up to four players. This feature lets friends explore, build, and even trade resources that are unique to their respective islands. Multiplayer combat zones with Withered enemies also provide a more action-oriented gameplay experience.
Visuals and Atmosphere
One of the standout features of Towers of Aghasba is its artistry. Hand-painted backdrops and lush animations create an immersive world, while its ecological focus resonates with contemporary themes. Players must avoid overexploitation, as unsustainable practices can drive species to extinction, impacting the entire ecosystem. This integration of gameplay and environmental storytelling enhances the emotional depth of the game.
Official Trailer
Early Access Impressions
Initial reviews on Steam praise the game’s ambitious design and soothing pace, but some point out its current limitations. Players appreciate the blend of creative building and environmental strategy, but minor bugs and a lack of content in the Early Access phase have been noted. The developers aim to address these issues with regular updates, intending to add biomes, creatures, and narrative expansions over the next 12 to 18 months.
Some reviewers highlighted the learning curve involved in balancing resource management and city-building mechanics. Others admired the diverse ways in which the world evolves based on player choices, making each experience unique. However, the capped multiplayer sessions and limited biomes in the current version left some wanting more.
Conclusion
Towers of Aghasba holds immense potential to redefine the sandbox genre with its ecological emphasis and player-driven world-building. Its Early Access debut reveals a solid foundation, though the game still needs polish and expanded content to reach its full potential. If you’re drawn to games that blend creativity with a meaningful narrative, this title is worth exploring. With planned updates and an engaged development team, Towers of Aghasba could become a standout in the indie gaming landscape.
Whether you’re a fan of serene base-building or cooperative exploration, this game offers a fresh take on familiar mechanics, promising a bright future for the Shimu people—and its players.