Clanfolk Reviews

Great game. It is not so complicated that I forget where I was up to and have to restart, after life gets in the way of gaming, but complicated enough that I spend 'just 5 more minutes' all night, trying to organise things perfectly.

I adore this game. The music, the setting and the gameplay are all great. The gameplay isn’t new or innovative but it’s different enough that it doesn’t feel like every other colony sim in this style. I know the “no combat” was a turn off for some people but honestly, not every single damn game needs combat. The devs have their vision for this game, which they want to replicate that history of Scotland, and I’m all for it. It’s a great game, worth your time and worth your money. The updates and communication are consistent and deserve a thumbs up

This is an amazing game, and I have a feeling it will just get better. I love the generation aspect and strategic planing, also the world feels alive.

It's Rimworld minus the combat (and warcrimes) and set in medieval Scotland. Your enemy is nature, the winters are cold and unforgiving. Perfect for anyone like me who prefers to play more casual and building focused. I love this game so freaking much and there's so much still to be added and polished.

I love this game so much. When I'm tired of playing Rimworld and DST, I always come back to this, and everytime, there's a new update. I also play this exclusively in steamdeck too.

I've been absolutely loving this game. I'm a huge fan of Rimworld and this game doesn't disappoint in delivering a similar type of experience.It actually offers a unique twist in that style of game. Clanfolk offers a more grounded realistic experience. You manage your clan/family and build, gather resources, survive but also can run a business as an inn owner which is kind of unique. All this plus as a person with Scottish roots that is a nice bonus as well. I do wish you could create a custom clan though. You can create a custom clan but with the name and emblem of an existing family. Probably because those are the most known Scottish clans but it would be nice to be your own namesake. Other than a few minor details like that I'd say this game is 9/10.

I love this game. Played it all the way through, until new Ideas run out and I would have loved to keep going. There are some minor balancing issues, but they did not have any significant effect on the fun I had while playing. It is sufficiently challenging, while being nice and cosy at the same time. Perfect for after work gaming sessions, since the "idea tree" acts as an easy way to keep track of progress. Cannot wait for any future updates and the full version. Please keep developing, thank you so much for this game!

Clanfolk is a detailed and immersive colony simulation game set in the rugged Scottish Highlands, where survival hinges on mastering the land, managing limited resources, and building a thriving homestead from virtually nothing. Developed by MinMax Games, Clanfolk distinguishes itself from other entries in the colony sim genre by focusing deeply on the personal lives, relationships, and generational development of its settlers. Drawing strong inspiration from games like RimWorld and Banished, it still manages to carve out its own niche through its historical setting, survival-focused mechanics, and tight integration of familial and social systems that feel both authentic and engaging. At its core, Clanfolk is about building and sustaining a multi-generational family settlement. Players begin with a founding clan and must navigate the brutal demands of Highland life, from harsh winters and food scarcity to sickness and emotional well-being. The passage of time and seasons has real weight here. A lush summer that allows for farming and preparation can quickly turn into a desperate scramble for warmth and calories when winter descends. The game demands long-term planning and foresight; poor harvests, inefficient workflows, or misallocated labor can spiral into catastrophe if you're not careful. This constant balance of risk and reward makes even small successes feel earned and meaningful. One of the game’s most unique and compelling features is its emphasis on individual characters and their relationships. Each clan member has needs, skills, and preferences that evolve over time. Children grow up, the elderly slow down, and social bonds form or break based on how players manage their daily lives. This layer of personality adds depth to the gameplay that goes beyond simply assigning jobs. A young child might inherit their parent’s talents and one day take over a vital role, while interpersonal conflicts can disrupt efficiency or happiness within the clan. It’s a dynamic system that fosters emotional investment in your settlers, making their survival and success all the more impactful. Mechanically, Clanfolk offers a highly detailed simulation that encourages micromanagement but avoids becoming overwhelming thanks to its intuitive interface and pacing. Work priorities can be assigned with great precision, and the crafting and building systems are logically interconnected. From tanning hides to building stone cottages, every task feeds into another, creating a satisfying web of production that reflects the realities of pre-industrial life. There is a strong emphasis on natural resource use—clearing forests, digging clay, drying reeds—and environmental stewardship becomes part of the gameplay, as overexploitation can lead to long-term setbacks. The seasonal cycles are not just cosmetic—they are central to the game’s challenge. Players must anticipate the freezing months by preserving food, preparing clothing, and reinforcing shelter. Snow slows movement, water sources freeze, and animals vanish, forcing players to think several steps ahead. These elements make the environment feel like both a beautiful backdrop and an ever-present antagonist. The atmospheric design enhances this tension, with immersive soundscapes, changing weather, and a subdued color palette that brings the Highlands to life in a grounded, realistic manner. Graphically, Clanfolk opts for a clean, minimalist art style that prioritizes clarity and function over flair. While the visual presentation might not be as immediately striking as some other sims, it serves the gameplay perfectly. Animations are simple but effective, and the visual language makes it easy to understand what’s happening at a glance. What it lacks in visual extravagance, it makes up for in mechanical transparency and world-building. The soundtrack complements the setting with gentle folk tunes and ambient sounds that reinforce the slow, deliberate pace of clan life. In its current state, Clanfolk is still evolving, with regular updates and features being added based on community feedback. It’s a testament to the developer’s commitment to their vision and to building a sustainable game world that grows with its players. Even in its early form, the game offers significant depth and replayability, with no two settlements feeling quite the same. Each new run brings different challenges—random starting conditions, new family traits, or unexpected disasters—which keeps the experience fresh and engaging over the long term. Ultimately, Clanfolk is a thoughtful and richly layered simulation that rewards patience, planning, and emotional investment. It invites players not just to survive but to cultivate a legacy, weaving together systems of agriculture, architecture, and kinship into a satisfying and often poignant narrative of perseverance. It may not be the flashiest title in the genre, but it’s one of the most heartfelt and grounded. For fans of colony sims who are looking for something with a strong historical flavor and meaningful character depth, Clanfolk is an experience well worth embracing. Rating: 9/10

After 650 hours, I can honestly say this game has that perfect balance between progress without feeling like you're being rushed, yet still always providing something else to achieve, whether it be building another structure, or reaping one more harvest. It's cute and simple, but with lots of character. I'm really glad that the developer hasn't dropped it, and that things are always being added. The beavers and streams were a great add.

Addicted AF. Reminiscent yes of Rimworld but for me it is also musically and in a lot of ways like Stronghold and Runescape. Very fun, very cute and sometimes hard as hell. I am having a great deal of fun.