Preserve, developed by Bitmap Galaxy and published by Grindstone, is a unique entry in the puzzle genre, blending nature-building mechanics with strategic card play and a serene atmosphere. Now available on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms, Preserve invites players to foster thriving biomes and explore a world where harmony and balance are at the heart of every decision.
Gameplay Mechanics and Core Systems
At its core, Preserve is a puzzle game that challenges players to curate and sustain diverse ecosystems. The gameplay revolves around placing cards representing plants, animals, and environmental features onto a grid, with each placement affecting the overall harmony of the biome. The game’s compendium offers a deep dive into the mechanics, providing detailed information on scoring, card synergies, and optimal strategies. As you progress, the deck of available cards expands, introducing new possibilities and challenges.
One of the most innovative aspects of Preserve is its verticality. Unlike many tile-placement games that focus solely on horizontal expansion, Preserve allows you to stack layers of nature, creating interconnected habitats that add depth to your strategy. This vertical network is essential for maximizing biodiversity and achieving high scores. The game also features a unique Card Upcycle System, enabling players to acquire natural wonders-like snowy Alps or redwood forests-to beautify their maps and enhance gameplay.
Biomes, Challenges, and the New Jurassic Expansion
Preserve offers a variety of biomes, each with its own set of flora, fauna, and environmental challenges. From alpine forests and savannas to Caribbean reefs, every biome requires a different approach. The recent addition of the Jurassic Biome introduces prehistoric plants and animals, adding a fresh layer of complexity and wonder. Each biome presents unique obstacles, such as limited resources or specific placement requirements, forcing players to adapt their strategies and make the most of what’s available.
The game’s challenge is heightened by its probability-based card system. You never know exactly which cards you’ll draw, so each run feels distinct. This randomness ensures replayability, as no two games are ever quite the same. Weekly challenges and leaderboards encourage competition, while platform-specific achievements and trophies provide extra incentives for mastery.
Game Modes and Creative Expression
Preserve caters to a wide range of playstyles with its multiple game modes. Harmony and puzzle modes offer structured challenges, requiring players to optimize their placements and achieve specific goals to advance. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, Creative Mode removes limitations, allowing you to build and experiment freely. Photo Mode lets you capture and share your creations, adding a social element to the game.
Despite these options, I found that the main gameplay loop can feel restrictive at times. There’s a strong emphasis on efficiency and optimal placement, with little room for true creativity. The scoring system rewards only the most compact and precise arrangements, and experimentation is often penalized using the Undo function, for example, results in lost points. This can make the pursuit of high scores feel somewhat rigid, as there’s typically only one “correct” way to progress.
Visuals, Audio, and Atmosphere
Visually, Preserve adopts a cartoonish, polygonal art style that is both charming and accessible. The animals and landscapes are rendered with a simplicity that emphasizes clarity over realism, yet the game’s love for nature shines through in every detail. Weather effects, water bodies, and the gradual development of your ecosystem create a dynamic and engaging visual experience.
The soundtrack deserves special mention. The music is soothing and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the game’s peaceful tone. Whether you’re meticulously planning your next move or simply admiring your completed biome, the audio creates a cozy and immersive environment that makes it easy to lose track of time.
Personal Experience and Reflections
My journey with Preserve has been a mix of admiration and mild frustration. On one hand, I deeply appreciate the game’s underlying message a celebration of the natural world and the delicate balance required to sustain it. The act of arranging landscapes and animals in their ideal habitats is both relaxing and rewarding, and the satisfaction of seeing a thriving ecosystem come together is hard to match.
However, the game’s rigid structure can sometimes stifle creativity. The need to maximize efficiency and adhere to strict placement rules means there’s little room for experimentation or personal expression. I often found myself wishing for more flexibility, especially when the card system left me without the resources I needed to fully realize my vision. Still, the randomness and probability-based mechanics keep each session fresh, and the sense of accomplishment when everything comes together is undeniable.
Despite its limitations, Preserve offers a compelling experience for fans of puzzle, tile-placement, and worker management games. The combination of strategic depth, aesthetic appeal, and a genuine love for nature makes it a standout title in the genre.
Conclusion
Preserve is a thoughtful and beautifully crafted puzzle game that challenges players to create and maintain harmonious ecosystems. Its blend of strategic card play, vertical map-building, and diverse biomes offers plenty of depth and replayability. While the game’s emphasis on efficiency can sometimes limit creative freedom, its charming visuals, soothing soundtrack, and underlying message of environmental stewardship make it a rewarding experience. Whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast or simply looking for a relaxing way to connect with nature, Preserve is well worth your time.