Building Fortresses Against the Horrors: Cataclismo Review
Cataclismo merges tower defense and base-building in a strikingly beautiful world, inviting players to strategize, fortify, and stave off monstrous invasions.
Early Access Review
last updated Jul 29, 2024
Cataclismo emerges as a tight blend of strategy, resource management, and creative fortification building.
Gameplay – Build & Defend in Style
Cataclismo offers a refreshing take on the RTS genre by blending intricate base-building mechanics with tower defense elements that keep players coming back for more. The primary draw here is the freedom to design your fortifications, which feels akin to playing with Lego pieces set in a post-cataclysmic world. As you gather resources, you'll find an engaging mix between building your defenses during the day and fending off relentless waves of Horrors by night. However, balance seems to teeter on a knife's edge; while resource management can become a challenge, especially concerning oxygen production, the satisfaction of outsmarting your foes with innovative structures far outweighs the occasional frustration. Despite being in early access, the mechanics feel polished enough to give players a solid core experience while still hinting at deeper layers waiting to be explored.
Audio – An Atmosphere Worthy of the Build
The audio landscape in Cataclismo complements its visual style beautifully, enhancing the immersive gameplay experience. The ambient sounds create a foreboding atmosphere as the night approaches, keeping your adrenaline pumping as you prepare for incoming attacks. Although the voice acting has received some harsh critiques for lacking expressiveness – with soldiers sounding oddly cheerful during dire moments – the overarching audio cues succeed in crafting a gripping tension. Coupled with a soundtrack that underscores the drama without overwhelming it, the game’s audio design does a fine job of pulling you into its daunting world, hiding a charmingly chaotic narrative beneath the surface.
Graphics – Stunning Visuals That Tell a Story
Visually, Cataclismo thrives with an art style that marries a charming, cartoonish aesthetic with darker themes of survival and dread. The graphics are not only beautiful but also perform admirably, with smooth animations and detailed environments that draw players into the game. From the intricate designs of buildings to the nightmarish Horrors that invade your creations, every visual element is crafted to balance functionality and style. However, while performance is generally solid, some players have reported occasional brief freezes during object placements that can lead to unintentional hiccups in their grand designs. Still, given the game's early access state, these minor graphical quirks are easy to overlook as the developers refine their creation.
Innovative Mechanics & Community Focus
Cataclismo stands out not just for its rich gameplay and art, but also for fostering community involvement through features like a level editor and workshop support. Such tools allow players to create and share custom fortifications, drastically increasing replayability. The developers’ commitment to responding to feedback showcases their dedication to making the community's voice heard. There's a touch of thrill in sharing blueprints for epic strongholds or confronting challenges that others have concocted. Despite some balancing issues and minor bugs that have cropped up, the solid foundation of gameplay, combined with the potential for future updates, paints a promising picture for the game's evolution.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer
Digital Sun
Publisher
Hooded Horse
Early Accesss Release Date
July 22, 2024
Verdict & Summary
Cataclismo emerges as a tight blend of strategy, resource management, and creative fortification building that takes the best elements from games like They Are Billions and ramps up the fun. The campaign is engaging, the art is stunning, and the gameplay mechanics create a dynamic experience quite unlike others in the genre. While it may need some tuning in terms of balance and clarity, Cataclismo's promise, creativity, and charm make it a must-play for fans of RTS and tower defense games, especially those eager to unleash their inner architect against untold horrors.
