Terra Nil, an environmentally friendly city builder, will be released on March 28th

February 21, 2023

 Instead of constructing an industrial empire, Terra Nil is a reverse city-builder in which you work to rejuvenate natural ecosystems by planting greenery, purifying water supplies, and reintroducing wildlife. Terra Nil has released a few demos in the last year, capturing the attention of Steam users and impressing them with its ecological take on the genre. Terra Nil will finally be available on PC and mobile (via Netflix) on March 28th, which should please all demogoers.

Terra Nil's newest trailer shows a shortened version of environmental restoration. Within a minute, the trailer demonstrates the eco-technology we'll be employing, the process of packing up our belongings, and the peaceful, natural world we'll be leaving behind. We get brief glimpses of a variety of biomes, such as lava pools, glacial sheets of ice, and tropical greenery with sandy shores. Terra Nil will have four distinct regions, each with its own set of procedurally generated levels and some challenging alternate stages that can be unlocked after completing the main game.

The game appears to be a great meditative experience, and mending nature can be very satisfying, based on my experience with Cloud Gardens. Plant parents can attest to the soothing sensation of watching their plants grow slowly, sprouting leaves and contorting in unusual ways. The sensation is enhanced in game form, where a swath of flora comes to life in an instant.

Free Lives isn't satisfied with just simulating environmental change; a portion of Steam profits will be donated to the Endangered Wildlife Trust, a charity that works to protect threatened species and habitats. According to Terra Nil's lead designer, Sam Alfred, "from the beginning of development, we've wanted Terra Nil to be able to have a real-world impact," which led to their collaboration with the charity.

Terra Nil will be available for £21/$25/€25 when it launches on Steam and GOG on March 28th. When you pre-order the game, you will receive the Deluxe Edition for free, which includes a digital soundtrack and an art book. A free Steam demo is also available right now.

CJ tried Terra Nil's demo last summer and found it refreshing in the midst of a global heatwave. "A calming diversion, a way of pretending that we have the power to take charge of our environment for a little while," he said of Terra Nigra.