I recently stumbled upon a city-building puzzle game that really took me by surprise called “Roots of Yggdrasil.” As a fan of mythology and someone who prefers “Age of Mythology” over “Age of Empires,” ManaVoid Entertainment’s fresh approach to this genre has genuinely captivated me.
Roots of Yggdrasil: A Unique Blend
“Roots of Yggdrasil” combines deck-building mechanics with city management, all wrapped up in a never-ending time loop. At first glance, it might seem like a casual city-building game, but it quickly reveals itself to be a challenging puzzle game that requires both strategy and creativity.
First Impressions
Graphics
The character art in “Roots of Yggdrasil” instantly reminded me of “Tribes of Midgard.” The building designs have a “Dorfromantik” vibe but are larger and more detailed. The card designs made me feel like I was playing a real tabletop game. Even on a lower-spec machine, the game runs smoothly with no performance issues.
Gameplay
Loops
You can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour on each run, depending on how meticulous you are with building placements. The procedurally generated puzzles keep the game fresh and challenging. Unlike open-ended games like “Dorfromantik,” “Roots of Yggdrasil” has a definitive end point for each run, which is quite satisfying.
Deck-Building & Resource Management
Each expedition starts with a set of cards, each representing a resource. For example, a “Sturdy Housing” card increases your population by one but also raises the cost by one Supply. As you progress, you’ll encounter more complex structures like Barracks and Markets that require strategic placement and resource management. The game visually indicates if your building placements are correct, adding a layer of tactical depth.
Ginnungagap
The Ginnungagap, a dark fog representing a mythical abyss, adds suspense to the game, especially when you unlock difficulty modifiers. You have to keep an eye on this to prevent it from engulfing your map.
Map & Exploration
After completing one island level, you’ll have multiple paths to choose from. This world map exploration aspect reminds me of “Slay The Spire,” adding more strategy and unpredictability. You have to be mindful of the time before the Ginnungagap catches up to your ship.
Roguelite Mechanics
Once you complete a Loop in “Roots of Yggdrasil,” the game doesn’t just stop—it becomes an opportunity to enhance your deck and city-building skills. You can upgrade your central hub of operations, known as the Holt, using Lif’s Greenhouse to unlock new cards and power-ups for your next expedition.
In conclusion, “Roots of Yggdrasil” offers a unique and engaging twist on the city-building genre, blending strategic elements with a captivating mythology-inspired narrative. It’s a game that challenges your mind and keeps you coming back for more.