Before We Leave Reviews

Before We Leave is ranked in the 60th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7.5 / 10.0
May 1, 2020

Before We Leave is a great, relaxed simulation, but feels like it may be missing a few things

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8.6 / 10.0
May 4, 2020

Space whales! Before We Leave brings us space whales! And along with them, a polished city builder which takes known tenets of the genre to forge its own direction. Repetitive assets are a minor flaw in an overall extremely enjoyable experience with a lot to do even in absence of a real game over.

Review in Italian | Read full review

PC Gamer
Top Critic
71 / 100
May 11, 2020

Cute little city-builder with big ambitions and even bigger cosmic cetaceans.

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May 19, 2020

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

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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.

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3.8 / 5.0
May 25, 2020

Gamers will easily be able to sink hours into Before We Leave, from conquering new islands to finally getting off the planet. It’s just hard to get past, that while launched, the current game state feels more like the end half of a Beta.

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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.

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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.

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5.5 / 10.0
May 13, 2021

Before We Leave is a non-violent 4X strategy game that is perfect for newcomers, but its lack of challenge and overly simplified mechanics will leave genre veterans bored.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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

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

4.5 / 5.0
May 29, 2021

In a pleasant change from most RTS games, Before We Leave makes a point of being a non-violent city builder.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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