Review – Synergy – Gamerview

Set on a hostile planet, suffering from weather conditions, Synergy is a city construction game that brings some news to the genre. Marked by an artistic style that draws attention, it is a duty only a player to create a sustainable colony, managing resources in order to ensure the prosperity of citizens without destroying the entire ecosystem.

With a distinct style and known gameplay, Synergy seeks his space in a genre marked by striking titles such as, and the like. Certainly a member of Greenpeace would be pleased with the premise of the game, but what about the rest of the players? Are graphic style and sustainability mechanics enough to carry this title?

Gameplay and management

Synergy focuses on resource management as a gameplay base. This is not a novelty in itself, since several titles of the genre are marked by this same feature. Games like Rimworld and Frostpunk, for example, also require the player to collect resources such as wood, food and minerals to improve colony or city. A factor that differentiates this game, however, is the consequences for extraction without resource planning. In previous games, running out of resources is also a problem, but Synergy takes a step further to this problem.

In order not to be harmed by the end of certain resources, in Synergy there is an environmental analysis mechanics, allowing the player to study some resources in order to learn techniques that increase production without serious impacts on the environment. Thus, new techniques, more efficient and less aggressive, are developed, and new places with new resources are discovered.

It is not only resources that the people live. Synergy also has welfare and happiness mechanics. Colony members are unique, and each has needs that must be satiated. You should therefore offer, in addition to food, leisure and health services, in order to keep them operating ideally. Again, this is not an innovative mechanics, but its implementation with the constant concern with resource management adds to gameplay.

Exploration and climate

In addition to the resources, Synergy has an exploration and missions mechanics. Like Rimworld, you can create expeditions to other locations, designating a number of villagers and an amount of groceries to be taken. Of course, this mechanics is simpler compared to Ludeon Studios’ game, but its operation is quite similar.

With each place explored, some options appear to you, from resources to items that enable technological advances. Exploration is a fundamental mechanics for survival, as some elements of the map – such as climate – can make survival challenging.

Speaking of the climate, the passage of stations is a theme that requires adaptation. Some cycles of seasonal change, such as constant droughts and heat periods, interfere with both well -being and colony production. Therefore, to get along here, you must be aware of these weather conditions to prepare for lean cows periods.

Some problems and verdict

Synergy is a game that draws attention at first, by aesthetics inspired by illustrator Moebius. But besides the aesthetics and theme, the news stops there. However, this is not necessarily bad. A game doesn’t have to be innovative at all points to be good. Synergy does his homework in other important aspects in management games, making the experience intuitive and pleasant.

There is a criticism to be made as to the storytelling of the title. Frostpunk, for example, became famous for his narrative, especially for the choices and how they are presented. Synergy has immense potential for the world’s ambiance, but history has no good depth. You interact with other parts through exploration, but the impression is that these exports serve as means to get resources, and history is in the background. During my game, I couldn’t care about the settlers.

With some aspects that catch the eye, Synergy is a solid and fun game, but don’t expect giant rejagability like Rimworld, or an immersive story like Frostpunk. It is a game that, even future updates, has a very limited expiration date.