Manor Lords publisher Hooded Horse has announced brand new city builder Whiskerwood, which apparently didn't get the memo that "a game of cat and mouse" is supposed to be metaphorical.
Developed by Minakata Dynamics, whose work you'll know if you've played train strategy sim Railgrade, Whiskerwood sees you constructing a home for a colony of industrious mice who are laboring under the "oppressive paw of their cat overlords".
Minakata Dynamics promises the ability to eventually decide whether you want to keep working under the cats' yoke or to "raise whiskers in defiance", so it sounds like you'll be able to lead some sort of rebellion against your feline masters.
In gameplay terms, if you've played games like Timberborn, then you'll know roughly what to expect from Whiskerwood.
The devs promise "complex simulations" and "supply chain management dealing with over 40 commodities", so if building the perfect logistical operation is something that presses your gaming buttons, this one's definitely for you.
Intriguingly, you'll also be able to build both upwards and downwards in order to "maximize space", leading to cities that ask you to build "up into the sky" and to burrow "deep underground". I suppose the latter, at least, is sort of in keeping with the rodent theme.
As you play, you'll also come across other factions of mice, and it's up to you whether you want to try and befriend them or move straight to hostility to defend your settlement.
Of course, there'll be a tech tree to work your way through, as well as a "strategic layer to expand influence beyond the colony". In short, this sounds like another Hooded Horse hit, especially if you're into Ghost of a Tale or the Redwall novels.
Whiskerwood is coming to PC via Steam Early Access "soon", although no release date has been announced yet. Stay tuned for more.
