Block'hood
A neighbourhood building simulator with resource management and decay mechanics.
Block'hood is a 2017 city-building video game developed by Plethora Project and published by Devolver Digital. It is a neighbourhood building simulator focused on constructing a vertical tower for inhabitants by combining square building blocks, with an emphasis on resource management and real-world architectural constraints. The game is notable for its educational intent, incorporating mechanics such as resource inputs and outputs, decay, and structural support.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Block'hood
- Developer
- Plethora Project
- Publisher
- Devolver Digital
- Composer
- Selma Mutal
- Platforms
- Windows, MacOS, Linux
- Released
- WW · May 11, 2017
- Genre
- City-building
- Modes
- Single-player
- Engine
- Unity
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Block'hood was first released for early access on March 10, 2016 for Microsoft Windows and MacOS. During early access, Plethora Project released several updates: on March 30, 2016, a new UI for inspecting block properties was added along with Pigs, Cows, and new farms; on April 27, 2016, Inhabitants and new building blocks were introduced; on May 25, 2016, more inhabitants, challenge levels, and building blocks were added. The game was represented at E3 in June 2016 on MacOS and won an award for Best Gameplay at the Games for Change festival that same month. A world system enabling larger neighborhoods was released on July 11, 2016, followed by a menu and UI update on August 11, 2016. By October 14, 2016, all 200 building blocks were available and dynamic effects like wind and rain were published. Inhabitants' demands were added on December 5, 2016, and the first Linux version was released on December 18, 2016. The full version launched on May 11, 2017, including a new story game mode. A spiritual successor, Common'hood, was released in 2022.
Reader's Guide
Block'hood's significance lies in its integration of educational mechanics into a city-building framework. The game requires players to manage over 200 building blocks, each with specific resource inputs and outputs, such as Energy and Food. Blocks decay if resource demands are unmet, forcing players to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Real-world principles are incorporated: all blocks must be accessible via stairs and corridors, and structures must be architecturally sound—for example, corridors need support before being built upon. The game offers multiple modes: a story mode with five chapters that also serves as a tutorial, additional tutorials for complex mechanics, a challenge mode with 24 scenarios requiring resource production under constraints, and a sandbox mode with customizable area size, inhabitant demands, and optional random events. Its legacy includes a spiritual successor, Common'hood, and recognition at the Games for Change festival. The game received a Metacritic score of 75 out of 100 based on six reviews, with individual scores ranging from 3 out of 5 to 5 out of 5.
Did You Know?
- Block'hood was developed by American developer Plethora Project and published by Devolver Digital.
- The game includes over 200 different building blocks, each with specific resource inputs and outputs.
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