Deal | Cozy strategy game with surprising depth drops below $1 for the first time on Steam

In Growth, players explore a procedurally generated hex-based landscape that is almost completely covered in fog at the beginning. Forests, meadows, bodies of water and mountains are gradually revealed while different animal species spread across suitable habitats. What initially looks like a relaxing cozy game quickly develops a surprising amount of tactical depth.

At the heart of the game is the question of how to make the smartest possible use of the limited number of animals available. Deer and wild boars help expand forest areas, bees can cross water, mountain goats traverse mountains and ducks move across bodies of water. At the same time, new habitats need to be created and later connected so that more animals become available. Expanding too quickly or using animals in the wrong places can bring a run to a dead end. Since every map is randomly generated, players also have to keep adapting their strategy.

In its review, Higher Plain Games particularly praised how much tactical depth is hidden behind the initially simple concept. The different animal abilities, steadily increasing challenge and combination of a relaxing atmosphere with demanding planning were especially well received. Criticism, however, was directed at the inadequate tutorial and the sometimes frustrating randomness. The lack of a seed system, which makes high scores difficult to compare, was also criticized. Overall, however, the verdict was clearly positive, with the publication awarding the game 8 out of 10 points. Growth is also well received on Steam, where 89% of more than 330 player reviews are positive.

Growth normally costs just under $10. As part of the Steam Autumn Sale, however, the strategy game is 90% off until October 8 and available for $0.99. According to SteamDB, the previous maximum discount was 80%, meaning the current deal brings the price below the $1 mark for the first time. Growth is rated as “Verified” on Steam Deck and should therefore run without any issues.

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