Dawn of Man

Lore & Background

In Dawn of Man, the player leads a group of prehistoric settlers to form a settlement and ensure their survival from the Paleolithic era until the Iron Age. Settlers must defend from animal attacks, hunt animals, and gather vegetables to eat, which requires the crafting of tools made from wood, bone, or stone. Getting resources, crafting tools and building structures help to advance through a technology tree, allowing more complex tools and ways to make food and structures more durable. Hunting-gathering can be abandoned with the discovery of agriculture and the domestication of animals. Raiders show up in later stages, requiring to build weapons and defense structures.

Reader's Guide

Dawn of Man occupies a niche in the city-building genre by focusing on a prehistoric setting, which is largely unexplored compared to games set in the present, future, or recent past. Its slow-paced gameplay emphasizes gradual technological and societal progression, which may appeal to players who enjoy methodical strategy but may not suit those accustomed to faster-paced games. The game received mixed or average reviews, with a Metacritic score of 74/100 based on nine critic reviews. Helen Ashcroft of The Gamer praised the setting and the gradual introduction of game mechanics, as well as the detailed visuals and relaxing music. However, she noted that notifications are too brief and easy to miss, and that manual control of settlers can sometimes be useful. The game's legacy lies in its attempt to simulate prehistoric survival and city-building, offering a unique alternative within the genre.

Did You Know?

• The closed beta for Dawn of Man started the week of October 17, 2018.
• The game was released on March 1, 2019.
• On Metacritic, the PC version has an aggregated score of 74/100 based on 9 critic reviews.
• Helen Ashcroft from The Gamer gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.