Cataclismo hits 1.0 today, and it’s worth checking out

Today’s the day. Cataclismo is leaving Early Access and into its full release. I’ve been playing the 1.0 version, but I haven’t spent nearly enough time with it to give you a full review. What I’ve played is pretty excellent.

Cataclismo is a tower-defense game. You defend your citadel from waves of enemies, and the best way to do so is to get familiar with its Lego-like construction system. Your success depends heavily on your ability to build high walls and staff them with a variety of ranged soldiers. That concept has the potential to suck, as it implies you’ll be repeatedly be building these forts, which sounds tiresome. Fortunately, the construction system is extremely intuitive. You can also save segments of forts to save time, allowing you to plop down towers and walls. Feels good.

You also need to gather resources and create housing for your workers and soldiers, which can be pretty difficult when space inside your walls is so limited. You have to get creative to ensure everything fits without blocking paths. Most things can stack, so vertical thinking is an asset. Like a more aggressive Timberborn.

As I said, I need more time before I can actually review it. It’s been a busy month for me. But I’m hoping to get around it. I mean, building walls is something I’ve been doing all my life. Sandcastles. Girder forts in Worms. Writer’s blocks. Emotional barriers.

Anyway, Cataclismo is now fully released from Early Access. It’s available on PC, and until April 3, it’s 35% off.