Grimgrad: A Slavic City Builder Entry on Steam
Grimgrad, a city-building simulation from a Russian developer team in St. Petersburg, places players in charge of a growing Slavic settlement. The game, inspired by the classic Caesar and Pharaoh style of management sims, released on Steam for PC players and invites newcomers to shape their own medieval town with a distinctly local flavor.
Launched on April 5, 2023, Grimgrad presents itself as a traditional city management experience. Players assume the role of mayor, guiding a fledgling settlement through the everyday challenges of medieval life while nurturing the cultural ties to Slavic deities. The calm charm of a thriving village sits alongside the harsh realities of resource scarcity, disease, danger, and unpredictable weather—elements that test the player’s ability to keep residents content and the population growing.
Gameplay emphasizes more than raw construction. Decrees and strategic decisions influence how a town evolves. As settlements expand, players encounter numerous random events that ripple through the lives of citizens, shaping morale, prosperity, and the social fabric. A story-driven campaign about Slavic gods adds a mythic layer to the experience, complemented by a Survival mode that challenges players to endure in tougher conditions.
Grimgrad’s pricing on Steam starts at 549 rubles, with occasional discounts bringing the price down to 466 rubles. Players have weighed in with feedback that highlights the project’s local flavor and its homage to Slavic architecture and mythology. The community often notes the game’s ambitious concept and setting, praising the sense of place it creates for fans of regional folklore and history.
There are voices that point to rough edges in the game’s execution. Some players describe bugs and moments that feel less polished, reflecting that early-in-development feel. One commentator draws a comparison to older titles from the late 1990s and early 2000s, acknowledging promising ideas but critiquing visuals that seem dated or uneven in execution. This mix of enthusiasm and critique mirrors the ongoing conversations around Grimgrad’s place in the city-building genre.
In related cultural highlights, concept art connected to broader sci-fi worlds has circulated in the broader community, illustrating how the visual language of speculative design and futuristic robotics can intersect with traditional folklore. These illustrations provide a different lens on how designers imagine future tools and automations within mythic settings, further enriching the discourse around world-building in games and beyond. (Citation: Grimgrad development team)