Posted: 3 months ago, last updated 12 weeks ago.
Author: Andrea Walney, @GeekDadGamer and Jo Robertson.
Overview
Before We Leave has a lot of complexity to it which is gradually revealed through the tutorial levels. The world is divided up into hexagonal blocks which may be grass, sand, ice, sea or rock. You need to plan out your towns carefully, using the natural resources and the abandoned ancient machinery that is scattered around.
This starts with a single island but gradually develops industry and sailing ships which enable you to explore the world and find new islands to colonise. As you progress you manage trade routes between your islands and discover broken spaceships that can be repaired and used to reach more distant planets. Managing more than one planet with multiple islands is tricky, but there are constant notifications to help you prioritise what needs to be done.
An interesting moment is after you have a second planet you can encounter troublesome space whales. In other games you might expect the solution would be to blast them out the way. Before We Leave takes a more pacifist route with feeding stations and defensive shelters.
Before We Leave has a lot of information and menus to deal with, but gradually unfolds into a streamlined challenge. For those who enjoy building villages, and playing god, this strategy game is one of the more gentle experiences, as you are not controlling armies or attacking neighbours, and you can concentrate on making efficient communities and keeping your inhabitants happy instead.
Game Details
Content Rating: PEGI 7
Skill Rating: 12+ year-olds
Release Date: 08/05/2020
Platforms: Mac, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
Genres: Open World, Simulation and Strategy
Accessibility: 24 features
Developer: Balancing Monkey (@BalancingMonkey)
Players: 1
Lists
View our choice of games like Before We Leave. This game is good if you want to:
Duration
Play Style
Age Ratings
Rated for younger players in Australia where it is General (G)
Skill Rating
12+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Requires complex planning and resource management skills. But lets young players slow things down to take this at their own pace.
Costs
Before We Leave
![]() | Xbox One | £15.99 | – | Free Xbox Game Pass |
![]() | PC | – | – | Free Xbox Game Pass |
![]() | Xbox Series X|S | – | – | Free Xbox Game Pass |
Does not offer in-game purchases, 'loot boxes' or 'battle/season passes'.
Accessibility
Games can be tailored, affecting difficulty levels at the beginning of a new game. You can choose how many resources you start the game with, how many planets in the solar system, and whether there are whales or not, amongst other options.
You can speed up or slow down time as required. There is no countdown clock, so you can work at the speed that is comfortable for you. Tutorial information can be viewed at any time. Hints can be turned on or off.
Audio volume sliders are available for sound, interface and music separately.
Night brightness can be altered in the settings. The interface and is quite small, especially on a TV screen.

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