GamerMonkey logoGamerMonkey.com

Home / Reviews / Against the Storm

AGAINST THE STORM: A CITY BUILDER THAT DARES YOU TO START OVER

Against the Storm Steam header art with a cloaked bird-like figure and villagers under a stormy sky
Header art credit: Eremite Games and Hooded Horse, from the Steam store page.

9.0 of 10 bananas. A roguelite city builder: build a settlement for humans, beavers, lizards, and more before the rain turns deadly, then leave it and start fresh. Smart, addictive, and kinder to your time than most city builders.

By the Alpha. Steam listing. Updated Nov 4 2026.

Honest note: This is not a fresh hands-on playtest. I built this verdict from launch reviews, critic consensus, update history, and what is known about the game today. If I put real hours in on stream, I will update the score and say so.

Platforms: PC on Steam, Windows (developed by Eremite Games, published by Hooded Horse, released December 8 2023 after early access). The button is the Steam page, 29.99 dollars at my Nov 4 2026 check. Steam showed 95 percent of 19,294 English reviews positive. I did not verify a fair US Amazon listing, so Steam is the only button.

Simulation
Get Against the Storm on Steam

Sit with me a moment. Most city builders ask you to build one city for fifty hours. Against the Storm asks you to build a town in an hour, keep it alive through the storm, and then walk away. It sounds cruel. It is the most addictive building game my troop has played in years.

What It Wants To Be

Against the Storm is a roguelite city builder. Serving the Scorched Queen, you lead settlers into a world where an endless rain has wiped out the old cities. Each settlement is a short run: you build homes and production chains, keep different species happy, and fight off a growing Impatience meter and a deadly storm cycle. Between runs you upgrade your capital and pick new regions on a world map.

What Works

Steam players love it: 95 percent of 19,294 English reviews were positive at my Nov 4 2026 check. Short runs mean no late game slog, each map gives new resources and problems, and the species and blueprint choices make every town different. It is one of the best new ideas in city building.

What Breaks

Listen well. There is a lot to learn, and the first runs can feel overwhelming. Long term players say the late meta can turn into a routine. Some events feel punishing. And if you love building one perfect city forever, the reset will feel wrong.

Who Should Play

Play it if you like city builders, Slay the Spire style progression, or short strategic sessions. Skip it if you want a calm, endless sandbox; Cities Skylines 2 is that.

STRENGTHS

  • Fresh roguelite city building
  • Short runs, no late game slog
  • Varied species and maps
  • Deep progression

HONEST COSTS

  • Steep learning curve
  • Late meta can feel routine
  • Some punishing events
  • Not for endless builders
ALPHA VERDICT: 9.0 of 10. A brilliant twist on city building. Buy it if you have ever quit a city builder out of boredom. Get Against the Storm on Steam, then meet the troop on Twitch.
Watch on Twitch @gamermonkeydotcomTikTok @gamermonkeydotcomMore verdicts

Related: Cities: Skylines II, Slay the Spire, Stardew Valley.

Sources: Steam store page and review summary, checked Nov 4 2026, Against the Storm on Wikipedia.

Store note: the troop still needs an Amazon referral for this one. Against the Storm is a PC game, and I did not verify a fair US Amazon listing. Steam is the only button until a fair listing is real. This is not an affiliate link.