Before We Leave Reviews

Before We Leave is ranked in the 60th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
May 21, 2020

I’m actually surprised by how disarmingly cute, charming and engaging Before We Leave really is. I’ve always been able to fire up strategy games and wind up losing a few hours before I’ve realized what’s happening, but Before We Leave is especially good at it. It’s the perfect lazy evening game for when you kind of want to build up a colony and watch it grow but don’t fancy all the moral schtick of Frostpunk or the complexity of something like Cities Skylines. Balancing Monkey Games have done a terrific job.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jun 1, 2020

While lacking depth compared to larger, more mainstream strategy titles, Before We Leave is a fun entry in the genre. In its current state, it is still a good respite between grueling campaigns for the strategy addict.

Read full review

May 12, 2021

Before We Leave has a surprising amount of depth and layers to it, that you’ll continually uncover as you play. This is a non-violent game, but it’s anything but safe. Some may balk at the minimal consequence to properly treating or taking care of your peeps, but the space whale and other ancient creatures will do their part to disrupt your rebuilt civilization in more meaningful ways. Before We Leave has left an indelible impression upon me, from the visuals to the unique gameplay, this is a planet builder that won’t be eclipsed anytime soon.

Read full review

6 / 10
May 14, 2021

Before We Leave is as close as I’ve ever come to sticking with a city builder and, for that, it deserves enormous credit. The non-violent nature of the gameplay is also to be commended. However, it’s all still just a little too dizzying for me and, if you also struggle with the level of micro-management this type of game fosters, then this likely won’t be quite streamlined enough to change your mind.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
May 17, 2021

It’s rare for a strategy title that doesn’t have some element of conflict in it to provide a satisfying challenge, but Before We Leave shines despite it. Its mixture of charming gameplay and resource management provides an enjoyable experience to scratch that civilization building itch, and I found myself spending HOURS setting up a thriving resource chain between planets and islands. Believe me, a good time was had. Perhaps some players would argue that it’s a bit more basic in comparison to heavier games in the genre, but Before We Leave shows that you don’t need complexity to have fun. It’s definitely the most fun I’ve had with a civilization builder in a while. Give it a chance, and you won’t be disappointed… just watch out for the Space Whales.

Read full review

Liked-a-lot
May 23, 2021

The non-violent aspects of Before We Leave won’t suit every strategy fan, especially those who enjoy a good war strategy. For those that enjoy exploration and resource management mixed with some strategic thinking, Before We Leave fits the bill! At the moment Before We Leave is a decent strategy game. With future updates to the game and the possibility for more exploring and juggling resources, this is one for strategists to keep an eye on.

Read full review

64 / 100
May 24, 2021

Before We Leave is game that doesn't really let me recognize a goal in it. There isn't really something useful to do after the tutorial. It's a pity that it couldn't catch me more.

Review in German | Read full review

Liked
Jun 28, 2021

If you like calm management simulations and don't need enemy units that shoot up your laboriously built settlements, you'll certainly be in good hands here.

Review in German | Read full review

Aug 16, 2021

With billionaires going on sub-orbital day trips and the climate crisis worsening by the day, it’s hard not to think about the state of our planet. More importantly how we can save it, or leave it. After all the billionaires are trying to, right? But how can we, the average individual, ever prepare for the inevitable collapse of our planet? By playing video games, of course; or should I say one video game.

Read full review

No Recommendation / Blank
Nov 23, 2021

Before We Leave is a great debut offering from Balancing Money Games. It takes the common post-apocalyptic tropes associated with RTS games and adds a unique mix of 4X gameplay to its fold. The result is a moderately fun and interesting title focussed more on the idyllic notion of civilisation advancement over the high stakes gameplay normally associated with titles in this genre. As such, it is a high accessibility title with fairly low stakes gameplay; which may be off putting to some RTS purists. Even so, the overall experience is enjoyable and certainly worth trying.

Read full review

3.5 / 5.0
Nov 23, 2021

I had a wonderfully pleasant time playing Before We Leave. While consoles may never be ideal for simulation titles, if I’m going to check one out with a controller, this is exactly the version I’m looking for. A few performance issues and a lack of variety may make this a game to be enjoyed briefly, but the cozy vibe it gives off feels just right. Grab a nice cup of tea, wrap yourself up in a warm blanket, and enjoy.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Nov 29, 2021

Overall Before We Leave is somewhat of a middle-of-the-road city builder with some lovely concepts and a relaxing vibe. It doesn’t nail everything it tries, but overall it’s an enjoyable experience. The non-combat approach could’ve been executed better at times, with more challenges thrown at the player. Meanwhile, the small hexagon islands can be enjoyable for people who like some puzzles in their city builders, while for others they could feel a little limiting. Before We Leave is a cute, polished city builder perfect for when you’re in the mood for something relaxing and less challenging, with the looks to back it up.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Dec 20, 2021

Before We Leave is never suitable for professional gamers who want excitement, but it is a good experience for those who are new to City Building games and want a little peace.

Review in Persian | Read full review

7 / 10
Aug 8, 2022

Before We Leave is a comforting and accessible city building simulator that will entice and equally challenge you. The momentum occasionally stutters and micro-managing your ever-expanding cities can be a pain at times, but your Peeps will never cease to entice you back in. Helping this fledging society of tiny cute figures colonise islands and planets from neanderthal to fully-developed modern society is a fundamentally lovely experience. Saving them from space whales is certainly tough, but it’s also a wholesome, worthwhile endeavour.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Aug 12, 2022

Smart strategic city-building and a pro-environment vibe help this sim stand out as something enjoyable

Read full review

Jul 7, 2023

In a world where life moves at a million miles an hour, everyone needs some downtime. Whether that be going for a leisurely jog around the block or staying in to enjoy some escapism through the latest Nintendo release. Gaming has been a part of our lives for a very long time (1972 specifically) and has been used as a tool to escape the harsh reality of modern-day life. We are lucky that we have such a wide variety of games available to choose from. One of the most popular genres is simulation.

Read full review

May 19, 2020

Before We Leave is a relaxing take on the post-apocalypse and city building, with enough benefits to overcome its hiccups.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
May 19, 2021

Hexagon non-violent city building strategy offers much more as it seems. Find your new home in stars and reveal big space mystery.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

Oyungezer Online
Gülhis Canpolat
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
May 27, 2021

Usually you won't play a strategy game to distract your mind or have a quiet enjoyment, but Before We Leave does exactly that. If you want to plant and plant potatoes and tea at your own pace, and travel around the planet, I think you should have a look.

Review in Turkish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Apr 14, 2022

Before We Leave is a relaxing and colorful city builder that is fun for a few hours but starts to grow a bit repetitive in the long term. The focus on just building your civilization without dealing with threats is something I quite enjoyed but the game needed a bit more variety in the late game as I felt like I had seen all it had to show me by that time. Fans of the genre who seek more depth in their city builders may want to look elsewhere but if you want one that is just a bit more chill then Before We Leave may be for you.

Read full review