A Unique Take on Post-Apocalyptic Gaming
In a world where post-apocalyptic games often focus on grim survival and intense combat, “I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival” offers a refreshing and relaxing alternative. Developed by Mandragora and published by tinyBuild, this single-player survival game invites players to build a cozy rooftop camp amid the ruins of a flooded city. With its unique blend of crafting, farming, and exploration, “I Am Future” promises a serene yet engaging experience.
Inspiration, Lore, and Setting
“I Am Future” was inspired by the desire to create a positive and cozy post-apocalyptic game. The idea came to the head of the studio, Eugene, after moving from a bustling city to a tranquil country house during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift in lifestyle sparked the concept of a game that combines the serenity of rural life with the challenges of a post-apocalyptic world. Influences include the movie “I Am Legend,” particularly the scenes where the protagonist tries to maintain normalcy in a desolate environment. The art style draws from physical dioramas of destroyed houses overgrown with greenery and half-submerged in water, a theme that the developers felt was underrepresented in games. The designs of tools and robots are inspired by media like “Love, Death and Robots” and “Finch,” blending functionality with a unique aesthetic.
The game is set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, where a comet from the Kuiper Belt was accidentally caught by Earth’s gravity, becoming a new satellite. This event triggered a series of natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, and climate changes, leading to a significant rise in global sea levels and the flooding of numerous cities. Human civilization is nearly extinct, and the remnants of humanity united under the United Federation of Earth, a technocratic government based in the capital city of Cosmopolis. Despite its utopian aspirations, society became plagued by cults and radical groups interpreting the new satellite as an omen of extinction. The harsh conditions and rising cost of living led to widespread desperation.
Amidst this turmoil, three powerful conglomerates emerged, each with a unique approach to achieving immortality. Theseustech Corporation proposed substituting the human brain with an artificial implant, which would then be transplanted into an android body. This costly and painful procedure was only accessible to the wealthiest. Neolife offered a different solution by creating a digital haven where people’s consciousness could live free of earthly struggles. This option became popular even among the poorest, as it promised massive compensation to their families. As a result, players might encounter talking fridges in abandoned residences, which are actually someone’s consciousness trapped within the appliance. Devus Ink focused on colonizing other planets to obtain valuable resources, but their expeditions were increasingly costly and fraught with challenges.
Eventually, after brutal confrontations, hostile mergers, and failed mega-projects, UNICORP emerged as the dominant conglomerate. This massive entity controlled every significant resource and politician, becoming the largest and most influential company of its time.
Gameplay Overview
“I Am Future” begins with the player waking up on an overgrown skyscraper roof in the deserted city of Cosmopolis. This once-thriving metropolis now lies in ruins, a casualty of the decades-long conflict between UNICORP and rival corporations. Players start in a ruined city with fragmented memories, tasked with uncovering the events that led to the destruction and learning their true identity. As the last known survivor, players must navigate this new world, uncovering the mysteries of the past while building a new future.
Starting from scratch, players transform an abandoned roof into a cozy home by gathering resources, crafting tools, and setting up a farm to sustain themselves. They can disassemble old appliances and vehicles to create innovative gadgets, using blueprints to craft tools that will help them survive and thrive. The molecular synthesizer will also be updated to convert specific types of garbage, adding more depth to crafting.
Managing a team of adorable robots to automate tasks and expand the base is a key feature. Players can upload AI into buildings and create bots to handle daily chores, making survival efforts more efficient and enjoyable. These robots can be programmed to perform various tasks, from farming and fishing to new roles, including water carrier, aqua genius, and repairman.
With civilization collapsed, there’s plenty of time to pick up new hobbies. Players can build a garden on their roof, fish in the surrounding sea, and cook delicious Mediterranean dishes.
Fishing in “I Am Future” is more than just a relaxing pastime; it’s a vital survival skill. Once you’ve caught a fish, it’s time to cook it! The ability to cut fish has been implemented to make marine dwellers a valuable resource in the game. Each type of fish provides a slightly different loot, offering a diverse range of rewards. Some species yield a generous number of fillets, providing a significant source of sustenance. On the other hand, more exotic types offer the prized delicacy of caviar. Certain gilled denizens even provide resources essential for crafting, allowing players to strategically target specific fish based on their needs and preferences. Occasionally, unique items swallowed by fish can be discovered, adding an element of surprise to the game.
Cooking is another essential aspect of survival. Players can use the “Cook Mode” feature to prepare wholesome meals. Initially, they can mix two types of ingredients, but as they upgrade their field kitchen, additional dish slots unlock, allowing for more complex recipes. The developers want recipes to be simple and intuitive. For example, you can transform blueberries into delicious jam and then prepare a fresh bun to pair with it. Similarly, combining fish filets with water creates a flavorful bowl of fish soup. As you unlock new ingredients, you will be able to combine them with the old ones to access even more tantalizing cooking formulas. Once a recipe is discovered, you can cook it using the campfire. The game plans to include around 20 different dishes on release.
Nature has changed, bringing new dangers, so players must build defense structures to protect their home from unknown threats. Exploring the sunken city and uncovering the secrets of the civilization’s downfall and the player’s own sudden awakening is a central part of the game. As players navigate this new world, they will piece together the past while building a new future, making “I Am Future” a unique blend of survival, crafting, and exploration.
I Found a Kettle, Time to Build a Power Grid Out of It!
One of the most intriguing mechanics in “I Am Future” is the ability to disassemble appliances to gather resources for crafting. As the only human left on the planet, you have an abundance of resources at your disposal. Everything around you, from household appliances to vehicles, is up for grabs, providing a treasure trove of materials from the long-gone civilization.
The idea of adding the disassembly mechanic came from the need to make resource gathering more engaging. In a survival game, players constantly need various resources for crafting and building. The team at Mandragora wanted to breathe life into this process, ensuring that each disassembly feels like a small adventure rather than a tedious chore. Their goal is to make each mini-puzzle challenging yet intuitive enough for players to learn a bit about electronics along the way.
So, how does disassembly actually work? Each appliance has parts attached to the frame. You rotate it, locate detachable parts, and remove them in a specific order. For instance, you can’t remove the lid without unscrewing it first. By disassembling an appliance, you might get both basic and unique materials that would otherwise be hard to come across.
The developers are currently working on an extensive list of disassemble appliances, including a TV set, a flashlight, a fan, a vacuum cleaner, a game controller, and Christmas lights. Since the game is a story-driven experience, some items will have stories to tell about what happened to them before they ended up in the player’s hands.
This mechanic not only adds depth to the gameplay but also makes resource gathering a fun and educational experience. It transforms mundane tasks into engaging puzzles, making every disassembly a potential adventure filled with surprises and valuable materials.
Major Content Updates and New Features
“I Am Future” has seen several major content updates that significantly enhance the gameplay experience.
The ‘Relationship’ update introduces a new rooftop, the Entertainment Zone, and continues the main storyline beyond the housewarming party. Players can develop relationships with their rooftop friends, give gifts, play mini-games, and complete daily tasks to unlock new rewards. The radio module allows players to discover lost messages from the residents of flooded Cosmopolis and communicate with new characters. Additionally, new Smart Tower modules enable tool upgrades, weather forecasts, and increased minion battery life.
The ‘Solar Energy’ update expands the game’s electrical system by introducing a new rooftop, solar generator, and battery. This update also adds new tools, a week cycle for expeditions, and a weather cycle, adding depth to the gameplay. Players can connect electrical grids from different rooftops, store fishing rods in a meta-network of chests, and craft special bait for mollusks. New plants, including the cheese tree and tomato, expand the farming and cooking systems, introducing seven new recipes. Improved AI and pathfinding make minions more efficient and reliable, and helpful hints based on player feedback are now displayed on loading screens.
The latest updates also bring a variety of new decorative buildings and mechanics to enhance your rooftop. New functional buildings allow players to nap in style, store large quantities of one-type resources, and arrange items or serve lunch on tables. Unique footpaths can be added to make the rooftop feel like a cozy country farm. Players can craft spray cans from leech slime to decorate all their buildings in various colors. A special dome can be installed on the huge flower to block pesky leeches from reaching resources. Rooftop patches allow players to seal holes in the floor, making it sturdy enough to walk and build on.
These updates not only add new content but also refine existing mechanics, ensuring that “I Am Future” continues to offer a rich and engaging experience for all players.
Early Access and Community Involvement
“I Am Future” entered Early Access on August 8, 2023, marking a significant milestone in its development journey. The developers at Mandragora have placed a strong emphasis on community feedback, recognizing its vital role in shaping the game’s evolution. By involving players through playtests and a public demo, they aim to create a fulfilling sandbox experience enriched with a variety of game systems.
Mandragora believes that maintaining a robust connection with the community is crucial for the game’s success. Early Access provides a platform for gathering valuable feedback, ensuring that the final product aligns with players’ expectations. The developers are committed to continuously adding core features, expanding content, and addressing bugs based on player input.
The full version of “I Am Future” will build upon the Early Access experience, offering more places to explore, additional rooftops, and enhanced automation features. The developers are dedicated to listening to the community and adapting the game accordingly, ensuring a rich and engaging experience for all players. Future plans include console ports, new story chapters, and more NPCs, promising an ever-evolving world for players to immerse themselves in.
By fostering a collaborative development process, Mandragora aims to deliver a game that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its community, creating a vibrant and dynamic post-apocalyptic adventure.
Conclusion
“I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival” stands out in the crowded survival game genre with its unique blend of relaxation, creativity, and innovation. By focusing on community involvement and continuous improvement, Mandragora aims to deliver a game that not only entertains but also provides a sense of comfort and creativity in a post-apocalyptic world.
The game offers a refreshing take on survival mechanics, allowing players to transform an abandoned rooftop into a cozy home, manage a team of adorable robots, and engage in various hobbies like gardening, fishing, and cooking. The disassembly mechanic adds an educational and adventurous twist to resource gathering, making every task feel like a mini-puzzle filled with surprises.
Major content updates, such as the ‘Relationship’ and ‘Solar Energy’ updates, continually enhance the gameplay experience by introducing new features, tools, and storylines. These updates ensure that the game remains dynamic and engaging, with new challenges and rewards for players to discover.
During Early Access, “I Am Future” is available at a reasonable price, with plans to increase the price upon full release to reflect the added content and features. Players are encouraged to join the game’s Discord community to share feedback and suggestions, helping shape the future of this cozy apocalypse survival game.
“I Am Future” offers a unique and engaging experience that combines the best elements of survival, crafting, and exploration. With its focus on community-driven development and continuous updates, it promises to be a standout title in the survival game genre, providing players with a rich and immersive post-apocalyptic adventure.