Deal | When nature strikes back: Sci-fi city builder drops from $25 to $7 on Steam

Imagine Earth takes place in a future where powerful corporations colonize alien planets to exploit new resources and maximize profits. Players take control of one such colony and try to transform small settlements into thriving economic centers. However, it's not just about growth and keeping the population supplied – protecting the environment is equally important. Those who ignore the climate in their pursuit of industrialization risk triggering a full-blown environmental disaster in the long run.

At its core, Imagine Earth offers fairly traditional city-building gameplay, but with one major twist: Instead of building on flat maps, players establish their colonies on spherical planets. There, they construct residential areas, farms, power plants and factories, extract resources and engage in interplanetary trade. As the colony grows, so does its demand for food, energy and consumer goods. To keep the economy growing alongside the population, players can research new technologies and unlock numerous building upgrades.

The biggest challenge is striking a balance between economic success and environmental protection. Relying heavily on fossil fuels and intensive industrial production accelerates global warming. The consequences can be devastating: Melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels and natural disasters can threaten entire colonies in the worst-case scenario. As if that weren't enough, players also have to deal with rival corporations, economic power struggles and political decisions made at the World Congress.

In its review, Softpedia awarded Imagine Earth an impressive 9 out of 10 points. The publication particularly praised the accessible yet challenging building mechanics and the successful combination of economic management and environmental protection. On the other hand, it criticized the sometimes rather hectic gameplay, a few somewhat shallow mechanics and a soundtrack that becomes a little repetitive over time. On Steam, 79% of more than 800 user reviews are currently positive. Metacritic lists Imagine Earth with a Metascore of 78 and a User Score of 6.9.

First-ever 72% discount on Steam

Imagine Earth normally costs just under $25. However, the strategy game is currently available on Steam with a 72% discount until October 24, bringing the price down to $6.99. According to SteamDB, the previous maximum discount was 71%, most recently in August. This means the current deal marks a new all-time low – albeit only by a small margin. On the Steam Deck, Imagine Earth is rated "Verified" and should therefore run without issues.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.