Roguelike city builder Against the Storm's new DLC adds its seventh species

Masterful, dark fantasy city builder Against the Storm has a new DLC on the way. The second expansion is called Nightwatchers, and introduces its seventh playable species, the Bats, along with two additional biomes. Developer Eremite's roguelike strategy game, which challenges you to construct settlements in an apocalyptic world regularly ravaged by a deadly Blightstorm, remains a jewel in indie publisher Hooded Horse's crown, and this fresh crop of resilient but volatile workers will be essential if you're going to venture into its new, hostile regions.

Our Against the Storm review hails it as "near perfect," and it's become a real favorite among the PCGamesN team, offering a deep and rewarding experience that remains easy to pick up and learn. Naturally, that puts it comfortably among our best city-building games, and a lifetime Steam review score of 95% shows that sentiment extends to players as well. Following its first expansion, Keepers of the Stone, the new Against the Storm Nightwatchers DLC will arrive alongside a free update that also introduces several additional features.

The focal point of Nightwatchers is the Bats, and this fantasy, humanoid version of the dark-dwelling creatures are talented metallurgists that "despise weakness and tend to thrive where others fail." They introduce some rather brutal new strategies, such as their signature 'Manorial Court' ability, which can expel a member of another species to motivate the rest of your workforce. The Bats also gain resolve when other species leave your settlement.

While that makes them difficult to work with, the sheer resilience of the Bats could prove crucial if you're planning to venture into the two extra Nightwatchers biomes. The Rocky Ravine is a bleak environment that's notably sparse of the trees that define most of Against the Storm's areas, but it's filled with "metals, stone, and merciless merchants who won't think twice about exploiting you for their gain." These merchants manifest through a new mechanic called the Black Market, which allows you to snag valuable goods at highly volatile prices, "hidden from the watchful eyes of the Scorched Queen."

The Bamboo Flats are open plains that bear little fertile soil due to incessant rainfall, but an unlikely ally known as the Fluffbeak can help. This giant creature can produce "copious amounts of fertilizer," allowing you to establish a flourishing settlement with sufficient preparation. You'll need to take good care of it however, making sure it stays fed and warm. Alongside this, Nightwatchers will include more orders, world events, rewards, and music.

Against the Storm update 1.8, which will be a free download that arrives at the same time as Nightwatchers, will introduce a new upgrade called the Smoldering City. It'll also include "a new way to fulfill service needs, a legendary cornerstone, and more." That means it'll be a fantastic time to check back in with the roguelike, and an equally good opportunity to begin if you've yet to give it a try.

The Against the Storm Nightwatchers DLC launches Thursday July 31. You can find it on Steam, GOG, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. Dropping alongside it will be the free 1.8 update including the Smoldering City.

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