Foundation (video game)
{{Short description|City-building video game by Polymorph Games}}
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Foundation
| image = Foundation box art.jpg
| developer = Polymorph Games
| publisher = Polymorph Games
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| platforms = Windows
| released = 31 January 2025
| genre = City-building
| modes = Single-player
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Foundation is a city-building video game developed and published by Polymorph Games for Windows. It entered open alpha in 2018, launched in early access on 1 February 2019, and was fully released on 31 January 2025.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=Foundation Release Date Announcement & Demo Out Now! {{!}} Foundation |url=https://www.polymorph.games/foundation/news/2024/12/10/release-date-and-demo-out-now/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |language=en-US}}
Gameplay
Gameplay is based on organic urbanism. Players are tasked with constructing a medieval town with the ability to place buildings organically, without a grid system.{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Colin |date=8 August 2019 |title=Medieval city-builder Foundation is a welcome escape from reality |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/8/20757732/foundation-windows-pc-review-polymorph-medieval |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media}} Players are guided by the book through which various aspects of the game can be controlled, including progress which is unlocked via a series of tiers. Villagers must be assigned a job or role and buildings must be assigned resources. The initial territory can be expanded by purchase. The landscape needs to be painted according to its use. Trade with neighboring villages is part of an economy that needs to be managed.
Playing the game is designed to be a relaxing experience with few limitations on gameplay.{{cite web |last=Shirke |first=Rahul |title=Foundation – Our interview with developer Polymorph Games |url=https://intoindiegames.com/reviews/previews/foundation-our-interview-with-developer-polymorph-games/ |website=Into Indie Games |access-date=25 January 2025}}
Development
Developer Polymorph Games is based in Quebec City, Canada.{{cite web |title=Presskit |url=https://www.polymorph.games/presskit/ |access-date=25 February 2024 |website=Polymorph Games}} The game's development was crowdfunded through a Kickstarter campaign in 2018.{{Cite news |last=Dietrich |first=Martin |date=2018-02-19 |title=Foundation - Städtebau-Simulator im Mittelalter auf Kickstarter |url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/foundation-cities-skylines-im-mittelalter-neuer-staedtebau-simulator-auf-kickstarter,3326269.html |access-date=2024-02-20 |work=GameStar |language=de-DE}}
The developers initially planned a one-year early access period.{{cite web |date=14 July 2018 |title=Dev News #1 |url=https://www.polymorph.games/foundation/news/2018/07/14/dev-news-1/ |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=Polymorph Games}}{{cite web |date=31 January 2020 |title=Celebrating one year of Early Access! |url=https://www.polymorph.games/foundation/news/2020/01/31/early-access-anniversary/ |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=Polymorph Games}}{{cite web |last1=Horti |first1=Samuel |date=10 February 2019 |title=Medieval city builder Foundation now in Early Access, already has game-changing mods |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/medieval-city-builder-foundation-now-in-early-access-already-has-game-changing-mods/ |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc}}
The game uses the proprietary Hurricane engine.
Reception
Foundation received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/foundation/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Foundation PC Critic Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=May 15, 2025}} Rock Paper Shotgun described the game as "a comfortable experience."{{cite web |last1=Meer |first1=Alec |date=8 February 2019 |title=Foundation is a delightfully indulgent new city-builder |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/foundation-review-early-access |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |publisher=Gamer Network}} Polygon noted the game's "annoying user interface quirks," while also mentioning its relaxing world where challenge is present but not overwhelming. PCGamesN commented positively on the game's road system.{{cite web |last1=Boudreau |first1=Ian |date=11 February 2021 |title=Foundation is a city builder that finally understands roads |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/foundation/roads-desire-paths-city-builders |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=PCGamesN |publisher=Network N}} The Strategy Informer highlighted "Foundation" for its uniqueness and aesthetic appeal.{{cite web |last1=Trouserman |first1=Flash |date=22 April 2023 |title=Foundation Preview |url=https://www.thestrategyinformer.com/game-previews/foundation-preview/ |access-date=14 February 2024 |website=The Strategy Informer}} A review at Ladies Gamers found the visuals stunning.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Mina |date=31 January 2025 |title=Foundation Review |url=https://ladiesgamers.com/foundation-review/ |website=Ladies Gamers |access-date=}}
As of 2019, the game had sold 200,000 copies.{{Cite web |last=Leduc |first=Gilbert |date=2019-11-05 |title=L'exploit de Polymorph Games |url=https://www.lesoleil.com/2019/11/09/lexploit-de-polymorph-games-69f4fbe07e8bb20264eacdcc2d3bce6f/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Le Soleil |language=fr}}
References
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External links
- {{official website|https://www.polymorph.games/en/}}
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in Canada