Dive into Life Below: A Unique City-Builder Aiding Marine Conservation

Hey gamers! If city-building games are your jam, then you definitely need to check out Life Below. This isn’t just any typical city sim; instead of constructing high-rises and roads, you’re crafting stunning coral reefs to breathe life back into struggling marine ecosystems. Sounds cool, right?

What’s even more exciting is that Life Below is developed with insights from real marine biologists, making it as educational as it is entertaining. Plus, the game features a narrative penned by Rhianna Pratchett, the talented writer behind hits like Mirror’s Edge and the acclaimed Tomb Raider reboot from 2013.

But there’s more! The developers, Megapop, have teamed up with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity to introduce a special supporter pack. This pack will add three new dolphin species to your reefs: the common bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, and the harbour porpoise. You can watch these delightful creatures swim through your coral creations while learning about them via an in-game guidebook inspired by actual marine biology.

This optional supporter pack will be available for around $5 (or £4.50), with all profits going directly to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation efforts. As for the main game, it’s set to launch at $30 (£25), which is a pretty reasonable price for such a unique gaming experience.

Now, while a game with a good cause sounds great, it has to be fun to play too! Justin Wagner took a sneak peek at Life Below last year and was impressed by its fresh take on the city-building genre. He noted that while it’s hard to gauge the depth of the simulation without trying out all the zones, the basics are there for something quirky and robust.

If you’re still on the fence, why not dip your toes in with the Steam demo? You might just find your next favorite game that also helps save the whales!