The authoeflects on the state of city games that address climate crisis and its consequences. What was once an "emerging" subgenre now feels stifled by the proliferation of apocalypse fantasies and sensationalized narratives. Meanwhile, games like As We Descend offer a glimmer of hope through their unique blend of roguelike combat and dystopian storytelling. The author questions whether these games can truly critique the systems of oppression that contribute to the crisis or if they perpetuate them. Ultimately, the author wonders if city games can provide a platform for positive change or are they doomed to repeat the same mistakes.
Key Points
The Evolution of City Games: How have city games responded to the climate crisis and its aftermath in recent years? Are they still addressing the issues, or has the focus shifted towards more sensationalized apocalypse fantasies?
The Impact of Unchecked Capitalism: Can games truly critique the systems of oppression that contribute to the climate crisis, or do they perpetuate them through their narratives and gameplay mechanics?
Hope in a Desperate World: How can games like As We Descend offer a sense of hope and agency in the face of catastrophic collapse, and what role do they play in shaping our perceptions of the world?
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Original Article
Years ago I wrote a piece about what I presumptuously defined as the "emerging" subgenre of city games that respond to the climate crisis, with its attendant catastrophes of unchecked capitalism and resurgent fascism. Today, it feels dangerously like that subgenre is "sub" no longer.
We are engulfed in strategy sims where society is the rind between the formless terrors without and the only-human abusers within. The geography is clogged by Last Cities and Final Bastions Of Humanity, all of them awkwardly avoiding eye contact, like the prophets that line the alleyways of Life Of Brian. I guess it's in keeping with the "unchecked capitalism" bit that apocalypse fantasies have become a thriving business. I hope that's not my fault. On the brighter side, roguelike deckbuilder As We Descend is quite fun, combining moderately baroque turn-based combat with tales of Vernian dystopia. Here's Wot I Think of the demo.
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