Empires of the Undergrowth vs Shelter 2
Empires of the Undergrowth
Empires of the Undergrowth is an absolutely-unique ant colony management game that, despite being still in early access, has caused waves of interest and hype, especially within the indie community. The game features plenty of exciting and challenging game modes to put your management system to the test as you try your best to help your ant colony survive threats after threats. The game also provides players with a nifty little pheromones-based system to organize their ants into groups, challenges to earn crucial resources from, a progression system, as well as an upgrade system whereby you can invest Royal Jellies to upgrade an ant type, unlock a new ant skill, or unlock access to a completely new ant type.The game is surprisingly educational too. It teaches about different ant species and how they usually survive in the wild be it from the lack of food, their natural environment, or from certain predators. This might be particularly interesting for someone who has always been fascinated by ants and their colonies. After all, in some way, you'll be getting a digital version of an ant farm or a formicarium of your own!
Empires of the Undergrowth may be an indie game, but it's definitely one of the most innovative and interesting ones out there. If you are keeping your eyes on indie games that you might want to buy, this is one game you mustn't keep your eyes off of.
Shelter 2
Shelter 2 is a simulation/RPG where you play as a lynx, an animal that lives out on the cold tundra and is somewhere in the middle of the food chain. In this game, you start as a pregnant lynx who's looking for a safe space to give birth and rear your cubs. You'll get to experience parenthood from the perspective of an animal and the experience can be pretty immersive thanks to the many maternal and hunting features available, including calling the cubs to move closer to you and smelling the air for any prey nearby. The game is a lot richer in terms of its diversity than the original game as well, and you'll get access to a lot more movements and jumps, giving you the range of movements you'd come to expect for a graceful animal like the lynx.Although the graphics here may be an acquired taste, Shelter 2 is still a masterpiece of a game and is definitely the sort of game you'll want to play if you love playing animal games where you're placed in the paws of said animal.