Terranil is like a reverse city builder, instead of planning and managing a bustling town, it spreads its base out into the surrounding wilderness, bringing nature back to the wasteland and restoring the dying biome as it goes. This strategy game already has a lot to offer, but developer Free Lives is preparing to add more.

According to a press release, the upcoming major update is the first for Terra Nil and will feature "deeply satisfying natural recovery gameplay and ...... It will expand on the "dramatic overhaul of the wildlife system," according to the release.

"New levels include 'Polluted Bay,' a deadly landscape cut in half by a badly polluted river, and 'Scorched Caldera,' a vast volcanic crater that must be terraformed into a life-filled freshwater lake. These, and all the new maps included in the Vita Nova update, will test your reclamation skills in interesting and unusual ways"

Another change that may not be as impressive as the various new levels, but is still undeniably wonderful, is the new Vita Nova map. Now fully 3D, players can rotate the map at will, which not only makes it easier to get a sense of direction, but also makes it easier to find locations and plan projects more precisely. This may seem trivial, but I have always found static maps to be quite frustrating for city builders. I like to pay a lot of attention to mapping current and future construction, and the rotating map allows me to paint a more accurate mental picture of what the future of my construction will look like.

Apart from this, the wildlife system is also getting a facelift in this update. According to the press release, "the transformed landscape will feel more alive than ever. Animals will reveal themselves more naturally as you play, and will have deeper desires that must be met to maintain a happy and prosperous life." This not only adds a new strategic dimension to the game, but also allows you to appreciate more animals, including a new species of jaguar, as nature steadily recovers.

While I usually prefer city builders that let me actually build cities, Terra Nil's nature-first approach is refreshing and comforting. I like that they are not only trying to restore the natural environment, but they are also thinking properly to make the ecosystem habitable for the animals that live there.

Terra Nil is also truly relaxing, which may be surprising considering that the fate of several biomes and the lives of their inhabitants are in your capable hands. Along with the simple puzzles, one of the features that contributes to the meditative atmosphere is the fact that after all the hard work is done, you pack up all your equipment and move on, leaving no trace of your time there. This is a nice change from the usual megacities that remain after you leave, and is definitely a more morally sustainable way to play City Builder.