TerraScape Beginner’s Guide – Tips and Features

by Fernando Diaz / Game Guides, General Guides / 02 Feb 2021

TerraScape, a unique game in its own right, shares some similarities with Dorfromantik. However, a key difference lies in the map creation process. Instead of constructing the map by placing tiles, as in Dorfromantik, TerraScape takes advantage of procedurally generated maps. This charming city-building puzzle game skillfully combines strategy, optimization, and relaxation, providing an immersive and rewarding experience. Each playthrough presents unique challenges adapted to the specific layout of the map.

As a TerraScape newbie, you might initially feel overwhelmed by the game mechanics and scoring system. But fear not, as this guide is here to help! We’re here to provide a comprehensive walkthrough of TerraScape’s key features and gameplay strategies, so you can confidently create the city of your dreams.

Game Modes

TerraScape offers two primary game modes—Puzzle Challenges and Freeplay. Puzzle Challenges require you to score enough points using new decks to unlock new maps, whereas Freeplay mode offers a more relaxed experience, allowing you to build your city at your own pace on procedurally generated maps. Choose the mode that best fits your playstyle and goals.

Hex-Based Map

The game unfolds on a hex-based map that is either procedurally generated or pre-built, depending on the game mode. Each hex represents a terrain type, such as forest, grass, or mountain, which influences the placement and effectiveness of your buildings.

City Building with Cards

TerraScape uses a deck of cards to build your city. Each card represents a building, and the deck is organized into categories like fishing, village, farming, and more. You begin with a limited number of cards & unlock more as you progress through the game. To construct your city, select a card and place it on the most suitable hex tile to optimize your points.

Resource Management

Aim to maintain a balance between various resource-producing buildings (e.g., forestry, farming, and fishing) to support a well-rounded economy and lay a solid foundation for growth.

Strategic Placement

Each building has specific placement criteria to maximize point potential. For instance, a lumberjack building placed near forest hexes will yield more points, while a cottage will benefit from proximity to a city center, market, or church. Be mindful of negative placements, as they can reduce your points—for example, placing two fishing boats too close together will lead to fewer fish being caught.

Unlocking and Upgrading

Accumulating points in specific categories (e.g., forestry or farming) unlocks new buildings and upgrades within those categories. This allows you to expand your city with a diverse range of structures, including sawmills, hunting cabins, taverns, and more. Upgrading your city center is also crucial for city growth and development.

Building Synergies

Seek opportunities to create synergies between different building types, such as positioning Boat Builders near Fishing Boats and Lumberjacks, or placing a Sawmill in an area that benefits both Lumberjacks and Boat Builders. Taking advantage of these synergies can significantly increase your score.

Merging Buildings

Arranging specific buildings in certain patterns can cause them to merge into larger structures—e.g., cottages forming a longhouse or chapels and churches combining into a cathedral. Merged buildings not only enhance your city’s aesthetics but also grant extra points and occasionally additional bonuses, such as a bomb for demolishing unwanted structures.

Demolition Bombs

Use demolition bombs to clear space for your city’s expansion by removing obstacles or undesired tiles that hinder optimal building placement. Use caution to avoid destroying vital tiles.

Diversified City

Focusing on specific building types can help you upgrade and unlock bonuses, but don’t forget the importance of maintaining a diversified city. A balanced city with various building types maximizes your scoring potential and provides opportunities for high-scoring combinations.

Objectives and Challenges

Both game modes feature objectives and challenges that can help you earn extra points. These tasks vary in difficulty and require strategic planning to complete. You may need to accumulate a specific number of points in a category or place a certain number of buildings within a designated area.

Multiplayer Mode

TerraScape also offers a PvP multiplayer mode, where you can compete against other players to outscore them through strategic building placement. While this guide doesn’t delve into this mode in detail, it adds a competitive element to the game for those seeking an extra challenge.

Fernando Diaz

Fernando is doing what he always did, sharing his honest opinions about games whenever he can. The difference is now he is writing and not talking about it.
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