Timberborn Review – A Charming Beaver City Builder Worth Your Time
- 24 hours ago
- 6 min read
Timberborn is a city-building game where you guide a small beaver population to thrive in a world where humans have vanished. Your main goal: help them survive, develop, and prevent extinction.
You see, beavers in Timberborn are the only living beings left in the world. They managed to survive the apocalypse in which the entire human race perished. As is usually the case, humans left behind polluted parts of nature, where the beavers now have to learn to live. Of course, not every part of nature is polluted, but a good half of it is.
In the mood for something completely different? Check out our Reanimal review!
How Timberborn Throws You In the Deep End
At the beginning, you only have a few beavers. Upon arrival, they all have to roll up their sleeves and do hard and exhausting work. Everyone contributes their share of sacrifice, especially in the first days when houses and residential structures have not yet been built. Luckily, the beavers are not forced to take out loans, because who knows where they would be today if they were in debt, probably this review wouldn’t even exist!
Those who have been following Timberborn for a while may remember that last year I wrote a short overview of the game. Back then, I mentioned that the game in early access had no story, which some people might like. Well, you see, it still doesn’t have one even after the full version release. There is only a short video introduction before the main menu, where you see sad looks and the ruined legacy of beavers who must now migrate to new lands.
Continuing with the narrative element, unfortunately, Timberborn actually doesn’t have a real ending either. Yes, your goal is to keep the beaver population alive and maintain it, but once you reach the endgame, there is practically nothing that would keep you there for long. If only the game had at least told you: “Congratulations, you have defeated the apocalypse! Life is returning to Earth…” Something, anything, to give you a feeling of pride and accomplishment.
The biggest strength of the game is giving you total creative freedom
However, even if the game may not attract you in that regard, other mechanics might pull you into its world. Creativity is the strongest link here. The game allows you to build your cities however you want. Do you want to focus on vertical construction? No problem! Do you want to fill every empty space on the map and use all the benefits of the world? You are free to do that as well. Once you are able to unlock the necessary things and objects, you can do whatever you want.
The “worst” thing is actually that the game’s mechanics keep you so engaged in building that 2–3 hours of continuous play will pass just like that. There is always something you need to do; something interesting will always appear in your view. And that is exactly what gives this game a certain charm, along with its adorable and cute beavers.
And don’t forget about their health! Healthy beaver = good life. You must make sure they have food to eat (logically), a place to sharpen their teeth, a bathtub to bathe in after a working day, and their own oasis of peace and relaxation. All of this is important both mentally and physically, because at the beginning of the game you can very quickly end up without beavers. And listen, they may be skilled animals, but you never know who will end up in the emergency room after a falling tree.
Timberborn's World Feels More Alive Than Its Graphics Suggest
Your Beaver City is otherwise a very lively and dynamic place. Even though visually the game is nothing spectacular, it is wonderful to see how the city breathes with full lungs. The little ones run around the streets and panic when they are still outside after dark, rushing back home. Workers take care of crops, collect water, and greet their fellow citizens. The hunting stories told at the end of the day, or the sunbathing on the roofs of residential buildings, truly bring life and warmth to the harsh reality.
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Water is a very important factor in the world of Timberborn. There are moments when it simply disappears, and a drought occurs. If you did not prepare good reserves or secure dams, you will have a hard time surviving dry periods. And they can vary widely, from a few days to several dozen. To avoid exhausting the beavers and keep the workforce available for other tasks, you can generate electricity using water wheels. Of course, there are also windmills and hamster-wheel style devices for beavers.
There are also options for planting cattails and water lilies. You can eat them raw or cook them in the kitchen to further season your beavers' meals. Every crop has its own lifespan during drought periods. Natural berries can last up to ten days without water, while potatoes spoil after only one day. Pay attention to where you plant things, because if something is far from a water source, it will not end well. Speaking of planting crops in water, it feels a bit silly that beavers require stairs.
Dear beavers, why do you need stairs to go down into water? You are beavers!? I understand when the stream or river dries up, and you need to climb down, but when the riverbed is full of fresh water, that is a little illogical.
Water System Is Its Most Brilliant and Brutal Feature
There are also polluted water sources. This is toxic water that kills fertile soil. The good thing is that you can use it and also prevent it from mixing with your drinking water. As I said, there are plenty of options you can experiment with to ensure the safe flow of clean water while protecting yourself from toxicity.
You can also feel the difference in the choice of beaver factions. There are the Folktails, who are socially oriented beavers. They will work hard, but it is important for them to have family, friends, free time, and a safe place to sleep. On the other hand, the Iron Teeth are heavy workers and industrialists who focus on industry and progress, unlike the Folktails, who are more oriented toward nature and green initiatives.
Oh yes, if later on you get tired of micromanagement, there are automated helpers who will make the job easier and relieve you from checking every individual item. Of course, all of this must be unlocked by having your beavers engage in science. Nothing is served to you on a silver platter so that you can choose what to build. No, no, the vast majority of things remain locked because they depend on your progress in scientific development.
Small Design Flaws That Hold Timberborn Back From Greatness
One note: do not accidentally place an object incorrectly. You might wonder why? Because Timberborn does not offer the option to move built objects. Once you build them, that’s it, no corrections. If you realize you placed something incorrectly, you must demolish that object, collect the leftover resources, and rebuild it. I mean, it’s good that the game returns the resources to you, but do we really have to take an extra step? I would say it was unnecessary, especially since you don’t have any particular sense of danger.
Although Timberborn does not look graphically impressive, its unique look and pleasant musical background create a really nice, comfortable atmosphere. Yes, compared to other similar games, Timberborn is fairly simple. Only two types of beavers and about ten maps, three of which are designed for beginners, offer somewhat different challenges. If you look at maps as various modes of Timberborn, congratulations, you will enjoy it. If you are looking for more than one mode of play, well… maybe this game isn't for you.
In Conclusion
To conclude the story, Timberborn has its quirks, but without hesitation, it lets you be creative in building your own city by developing an endangered population. It makes excellent use of the beavers’ strongest asset, which is the combination of their creativity and the game’s water mechanics.
Giving Timberborn a rating is no easy task—it’s a game that delivers a genuinely pleasant and relaxing experience in spite of its flaws. If you value creative building and stress-free management, this city-builder is well worth your time. Overall, Timberborn is easy to recommend for anyone seeking thoughtful, engaging gameplay without unnecessary frustration.
Game Rating:8.2/10
The review highlights relaxing gameplay, creative city-building, and engaging mechanics, but notes the lack of a story and an ending, as well as some design limitations.
Recommended Age for Kids:10+
I would recommend Timberborn for children aged 10+, because the game involves city-building strategy, resource management, and planning systems that younger children may find difficult, but older kids can learn problem-solving and environmental thinking from it.
Gemini-Style Summary
Timberborn is a post-apocalyptic city-building strategy game where beavers are the last surviving creatures after humanity’s extinction. Players must build settlements, manage water resources, survive drought cycles, and expand a beaver society through careful planning and technology research. The game focuses heavily on creative building and environmental management mechanics, particularly water systems like dams and irrigation. While it offers relaxing gameplay and charming world-building with lively beaver communities, it lacks a narrative story and a definitive endgame goal. Despite some design frustrations, such as the inability to move buildings once placed, the overall experience remains engaging and satisfying for players who enjoy creative city-building and management challenges.