Farthest Frontier Reviews

I'm not sure that I understand every game mechanic but this hasn't stopped me from enjoying the game yet. I've found the game quite entertaining and will revisit this review soon for further comments. For now, I'd like to say the game is fulfilling and worth your checking out!

As a long-time Banished fan, I have looked far and wide for a replacement game that still held the same vibe, and for some time Farthest Frontier has been on my wishlist. A few weeks ago, I bought it. I was a little worried about the combat element, as I wasn't looking for a base-builder game, but what I found was a wonderful game that was exactly what I was looking for. The number of buildings and resources exceeds Banished by far, but a clever tier system introduces them step by step, so you only gain access to the next level of buildings once you have accomplished certain tasks. Resources are scattered around the map, so you have to build the right buildings in the right places to maximize your yield. I actually ended up enjoying the combat element, as attacks are few and far between, but still introduce the challenge of creating a good defense by placing palisades and gates strategically. (And for those who really don't want it, the game includes a pacifist mode that turns it off.) For me, this was the spiritual successor I was looking for, and there are still many elements of the game where I have just scratched the surface. So let's see if I can beat my 400 hours on Banished. :)

Good one! kept increasing population to 1000+ still no sign of struggling! Worth exploring this game.

Farthest Frontier is one of those city builders that really pulls you in with its attention to detail and survival mechanics. I haven’t had the chance to dive into version 1.0 yet, but even before that, the game was shaping up to be something special. It’s all about starting with a tiny group of settlers and slowly building a thriving town, assuming disease, starvation, raiders, or winter doesn’t wipe you out first. What I love about it is how every decision feels like it matters. Managing food production, keeping villagers happy, setting up defences, it’s all interconnected, and things can spiral fast if you’re not careful. It’s got that satisfying mix of strategy and chaos that makes these kinds of games so addictive. The visuals are great, too. The changing seasons and small village details really bring everything to life. If you’re into survival-focused city builders with a strong challenge curve, this is definitely one to check out. I’ll probably jump into v1.0 soon and see how things have evolved. Until then, here’s a look at my gameplay: https://youtu.be/RPAWTemPYNw

The game runs out of steam and becomes unbearably slow, with nothing happening. The winter season is long and quite depressing. After a while you give up on it. The developers need to think about how to keep the game engaging.

I want to like this game but for some reason it run like a potato. I can't possibly set any settings lower and its making my computer sound like a jet engine. I play tons of games that should be way more taxing than this, very disappointing.

I bounced off Farthest Frontier twice in the past - it just didn’t click with me. But during the 2025 Summer Sale, I decided to give it one more shot. After all, it should be right up my alley: a medieval village/city builder with survival elements. I’d been craving something like that for a while. Well, 100 hours later, I can confidently say I’ve finally found my enjoyment with the game. The updates the developers have added over the years - new buildings, mechanics, balance changes - have really paid off. All the small things, both new and old (but refined), come together into a surprisingly satisfying package. The game does a great job simulating life on a medieval frontier. It’s not just about growing or harvesting food - it’s about surviving winter and braving the wilds. You might feast on foraged goods in summer and autumn, but what about surviving the cold season, and worse, spring? By then, most of what you gathered last year will have either been eaten or spoiled! That said, the game isn't without its quirks. Some resources still feel underutilized. Before the 1.0 test update, for example, Wax - gathered from bee hives - was only used for candles. It quickly piled up in storage, with no merchant willing to buy it and no other use besides tossing it. The same goes for Tallow. If you have cows, you’ll eventually find yourself drowning in it, and since its only use is soap, it becomes another resource with little purpose beyond clutter. In this game managing manpower is essential, running more than one shop might not be possible, unless you increase population limit. Despite these minor issues, I can’t deny how much fun I’ve had. Farthest Frontier is exactly the kind of game I’ve been looking for, and I’m excited to see what the full release brings!

A much needed/desired renovation of the game Banished. It's fairly complete, but needs some finishing touches: i.e, QoL UI elements to remove some of the tedious tasks that are currently click intensive; logistic settings (for one, we need to be able to ban items from civilian usage); bridges (confirmed for release already); curvy/diagonal farms (can be done already through cheese).

Farthest Frontier is an ambitious and richly detailed city-building and survival strategy game that plunges players into the rugged, untamed wilderness of a frontier settlement, where every decision can mean the difference between flourishing prosperity and devastating collapse. Developed by Crate Entertainment, the game stands out in the genre by emphasizing realistic survival mechanics and emergent storytelling within a beautifully crafted, procedurally generated world. Players take on the role of a community leader tasked with guiding a fledgling colony through harsh seasons, unpredictable weather, and constant threats from the environment and wildlife. The game’s pacing encourages careful planning and resource management, blending the satisfying complexity of city-building with the high stakes of survival strategy. At the heart of Farthest Frontier lies its deeply engaging resource and population management system. Players must carefully balance food production, shelter construction, tool crafting, and defense preparations while keeping their settlers healthy, happy, and productive. The game excels in creating a living ecosystem where every action has ripple effects—from over-harvesting forests that can lead to resource scarcity, to managing trade routes and hunting grounds that must be protected from wolves and other predators. The settlers themselves are fully simulated characters with individual needs, skills, and behaviors, which adds a human element to the management challenge and makes successes feel hard-won and emotionally rewarding. Visually, Farthest Frontier adopts a charming, semi-realistic art style that perfectly captures the wild frontier’s beauty and brutality. The world is lush and dynamic, with seasons that dramatically change the landscape and gameplay conditions, from harsh winters that threaten starvation to fertile summers ripe for farming. The day-night cycle and weather effects are not merely cosmetic but actively impact gameplay, requiring adaptive strategies and careful timing. The sound design complements the visual immersion, featuring ambient wilderness noises, dynamic weather sounds, and a subtle musical score that heightens the sense of isolation and the precariousness of frontier life. One of the game’s strongest features is its emergent storytelling. Unlike linear narratives, Farthest Frontier allows stories to unfold naturally from the interactions between settlers, the environment, and player decisions. Events such as illnesses, accidents, raids, and random quests add depth and unpredictability, forcing players to constantly adapt their strategies. The game also offers a sandbox mode alongside a campaign, catering both to players who enjoy open-ended creativity and those who prefer structured challenges with specific objectives. However, Farthest Frontier is not without its flaws. Some players may find the learning curve steep, especially given the amount of micromanagement required in the early game. Occasional AI pathfinding issues and interface quirks can interrupt the otherwise smooth gameplay experience. Additionally, while the procedural generation ensures replayability, it sometimes leads to uneven difficulty spikes or resource imbalances that can frustrate newcomers. Despite these issues, the developers have shown a strong commitment to regular updates and community feedback, continuously refining the game’s balance and features. In summary, Farthest Frontier is a compelling and immersive city-building survival game that challenges players to master the delicate art of frontier life. Its combination of intricate resource management, dynamic environmental systems, and emergent storytelling creates a rich and rewarding experience for strategy fans who appreciate depth and realism. Though it demands patience and strategic thinking, the game’s satisfying progression and the emotional investment in the settlers’ fates make every triumph feel genuinely earned. For those seeking a challenging yet beautiful simulation of pioneering life on the edge of civilization, Farthest Frontier offers an engrossing and memorable journey into survival and settlement. Rating: 8/10

Last update is a joke. Putting most things behind a Techtree, even basic stuff like wheat, so you have to painfully unlock everything and stretching the game time, without bringing any benefit with it, instead of bringing cool stuff into the game like expeditions