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Niche - a genetics survival game

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Niche - a genetics survival game - Exploration Meets Genetic Tinkering

Niche is a title offering its own description right in the name: a genetics survival game. In Niche, you create a species of creature, like a four-legged fox-ish animal or a spotty snout-nosed pig...[read more below]

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Niche - a genetics survival game - Exploration Meets Genetic Tinkering

The Strategy Survival Game Puts You In Evolutionary Control

The Life Cycle of Animals

Niche is a title offering its own description right in the name: a genetics survival game. In Niche, you create a species of creature, like a four-legged fox-ish animal or a spotty snout-nosed pig.

Then, help this animal society grow and (hopefully) thrive. Choose evolutionary traits that ensure they thrive in randomly generated worlds. Watch generations grow up and old while planning the next step for your creatures. Niche offers plenty of in-depth strategy with a serious dose of cute creature creations.

niche a genetics survival game

Play Mad Scientist

Niche is a game about evolution. It's a great concept on its own. The developers over at Stray Fawn Studio bring inspiration from movies, books, and other games alike into the tile-based exploration and combat.

breed a strong clan capable of withstanding and succeeding in your world.

Building a creature, then evolving it to suit its environment, translates well into gaming. Not every creature you create will survive. It means that you'll likely have several play-through(s)—design plenty of unique hybridization's. Replay-ability is easy with this 4/5 concept.

Lush Art Meets Soothing Tunes

No matter what creature you make, you'll see it evolve and change as the species does. It's a fantastic little detail worth noting in the art department.

As if that's not enough, though, these hand-drawn sprites feature lush colored backgrounds. Explore tall bushy grasses in green or brown depending on your environment. Every tile has its interesting flair, from weirdly colored mushrooms to hidden enemies-- or allies!

There's a lot to see in Niche. However, there's also plenty to hear. The original soundtrack is soothing. It's got a temporary feel that will keep you focused on whatever your task at hand is, boosting brainpower for the most effective strategy you can muster.

All in all, Niche's art shines. It immediately catches the eye and earns a 5/5 for its coloring, graphics, and general design scheme.

Step by Step, From Breeding to Combat

Niche's tile-based system makes it turn-based as well. Each animal is a unit that can move on the tiles in the world. There are rounds. During each one, your units can accomplish a variety of things. Though your clan will start small, it will eventually grow. As this happens, you control the different groups.

Breeding, hunting, and cub-raising are just some of the examples of tasks you'll have to undertake. They each feature a unique set of menus and tutorials designed to help you become an evolutionary pro.

As well, balance resources for your clan in traditional strategy style. Whether it's your population or your food stores, there is always something your animals will need. The 5/5 game-play will keep you busy for hours.

Conclusion: Delve Deep with this Hidden Gem

Niche is a fantastic game of exploration. At first glance, a tile-system may seem limited. However, Niche features procedural generated worlds and thousands of possible species. Experimentation is endless, and you'll find the comprehensive game-play easy to understand-- even if you aren't an evolutionary biologist!

TL/DR

Niche: a Genetics Survival Game is a strategy-based, tiled evolution game.

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From the Developers

What follows is the official description of Niche - a genetics survival game, from the developers.


Niche - a genetics survival game is a fresh blend of turn-based strategy and simulation combined with roguelike elements.

Shape your own species of cat/fox/bear/dog-like animals based on real genetics. Keep your animals alive against all odds, such as hungry predators, climate change and spreading sickness.

If your species goes extinct the game is lost and your evolution needs to start anew.

Key Features:

  • Real genetics for breeding system

  • Over 100 genes to shape your species

  • Procedurally generated worlds and animals

  • 4 biomes featuring different predators, prey and flora to explore

  • Game mechanics inspired on population genetics

Games/books that inspired us:

  • Spore

  • Dont Starve

  • The Creatures Series

  • Warrior Cats

Educational aspects:

While playing Niche, the player is introduced to the scientific mechanics of genetics (featuring dominant-recessive, co-dominant inheritance, etc). The game also features the five pillars of population genetics (genetic drift, genetic flow, mutation, natural selection, sexual selection). All knowledge is interwoven with the game-mechanics. This creates the effect of learning by playing.

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