Timberborn continues to showcase the remarkable potential of the city-building genre, with its unique beaver-themed management simulation. Developed by Mechanistry, this game allows players to design a water-powered metropolis tailored for the most ingenious of rodents. Players can construct intricate dams and aqueducts, harnessing the power of waterwheels to fuel their cities. Currently in early access, Timberborn has been steadily evolving, with recent updates introducing mechanized beavers and the challenges of polluted water.
Update 7: Ziplines and Tubeways
The latest update, dubbed Update 7, introduces exciting new features that enhance gameplay and expand the possibilities for city construction. Among the most notable additions are ziplines and tubeways, two innovative transportation methods that allow beavers to navigate their urban environments more efficiently. According to a post on Steam, while tubeways necessitate a more meticulous setup compared to ziplines—primarily because they cannot traverse over buildings as easily—they offer a significant speed advantage, transporting beavers at four times their normal pace once operational. Tubeways are constructed from horizontal and vertical tubes, complete with dedicated stations for seamless travel.
In addition to these new transit options, Update 7 brings a comprehensive overhaul to the game’s terrain mechanics, elevating the experience to a true 3D environment. Mechanistry explains that although the terrain has always been composed of 3D cubes, players were previously limited to stacking them vertically. With this update, terrain blocks can now be placed on any solid surface, including roofs and platforms. This newfound flexibility allows for creative possibilities, such as cultivating crops atop buildings like lodges and warehouses, as well as constructing structures beneath overhangs and within caves.
The updated terrain system also introduces several subsidiary features. Beavers can now dig tunnels directly through the terrain, eliminating the need for convoluted pathways around or over mountains. Furthermore, Mechanistry has enhanced the functionality of its layer tool, enabling players to scroll through terrain slices to explore caves and tunnels more easily.
Additional improvements include the introduction of “adaptive” power shafts, which simplify the reconfiguration of power grids, redesigned game maps that accommodate the 3D terrain, and a comprehensive list of balance adjustments and bug fixes. One particularly amusing fix addresses the issue of beavers “breakdancing” while navigating multiple sets of stairs—a quirk that some players might argue should remain in the game for its entertainment value.
Overall, Update 7 represents another significant advancement for Mechanistry’s beaver-centric city builder. While the timeline for Timberborn’s full release remains uncertain, the consistent quality and scope of these updates suggest that the game could remain in early access for as long as the developers see fit.
