Clanfolk is a family sim set in the Scottish Highlands. Harness your environment to survive - fish, gather, hunt, and farm as you prepare for the winter. Build an inn, trade with other clans, have children and marry them off - live life and prosper across the generations.
The game's primary challenge is preparing for and surviving the harsh Scottish winters. Players must carefully manage resources like food, water, firewood, and clothing to ensure their clan members can withstand the freezing temperatures and blizzards. Failing to properly prepare can lead to clan members dying from exposure, starvation, or dehydration. Navigating the changing seasons and adapting to the environment's challenges is a core part of the gameplay.
The game features a detailed tech progression system and complex production chains. Players unlock new technologies and skills by performing various tasks, such as crafting, gathering resources, and completing construction projects. This grants access to more advanced tools, buildings, and production methods, allowing the clan to become more self-sufficient and prosperous. Mastering these production chains and efficiently managing resources is key to success.
The game centers around managing a family-based clan rather than a generic colony. Players start with a small family and can grow their clan by having children, who then become new members of the household. Caring for and teaching these children is crucial, as they will inherit the skills and knowledge of their elders, allowing the clan to progress across multiple generations. Watching the clan evolve and leave a legacy is a significant part of the game's appeal.
The game is praised for its immersive simulation and attention to detail. Players can witness their clan members performing daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, socializing, and tending to their needs. The environment and weather systems realistically impact the clan's activities and well-being, creating a sense of authenticity. Small, unexpected moments, like a father carrying his sleeping child to bed, contribute to the game's engaging and realistic atmosphere.
Unlike many other colony-building and survival games, the game features a more relaxed and contemplative pace, without the presence of external threats or combat. This allows players to focus on the intricacies of managing their clan and settlement without the added pressure of defending against raids or attacks. The game's emphasis on environmental challenges and family-centric gameplay appeals to those seeking a slower, more immersive survival experience.