dotAGE: Folkways Review Summary

Complex resource management and strategic Elders add variety, but some Elders feel awkward, DLC is gated by meta progression, and bad RNG can make maps impossible.

Elders introduce unique strategic challenges: The new Elder mechanic offers completely different operation modes and fundamentally changes how players must think. Each elder provides a distinct gameplan, from the dad elder's strength to the cat elder's well-designed experience.

Substantial new content adds variety: The DLC introduces a wealth of new buildings, species, and mechanics that greatly expand gameplay variety. Many reviewers note it almost feels like a second game due to the amount of added content.

Blends seamlessly with base game: The new content integrates naturally with the existing game, complementing the base experience without feeling bolted on. This seamless addition enhances replayability for fans of the original.

New species and pips add variety: Cat pips, dwarves, fishfolk, robots, and new pip types bring fresh quirks and gameplay styles. The new species often require different strategies and offer unique challenges.

Excellent expansion for base game fans: For those who love the base game, this DLC is a perfect addition that enhances the overall experience. It stands out in content, design, and fun, making it a worthy purchase.

Some elders are uncomfortable to play: Elders like Dad increase nature points from chopping wood, making it hard to manage early game. The Dwarf elder's map is divided into small areas, forcing constant restarts and demolitions. The cat elder is extremely hard to play due to complex building conditions and poor talent.

DLC content locked behind meta progression: Players report that most new DLC content is locked behind metaprogression currency like 'memories', requiring them to grind the base game. After four hours of DLC, one reviewer saw zero new content, which left a bitter taste.

Race trait and tech tree incompatibility: Random race pairing can produce incompatible racial traits and tech trees, such as Yugong with Dwarves lacking stone production buildings. This leads to food shortages after raising dwarves, forcing health penalties or diverting workers to mine stone.

Pipfolk unlock conditions are obscure: High-tier buildings require specific pipfolk species, but the game gives no clear indication of how to attract them. Even after 20-30 hours and multiple runs, players still do not know the conditions.

Folkways hunting changes cause imbalances: The DLC introduces harsh randomness: maps may spawn unharvestable hunting resources, only a few elders are immune to fishing changes, and the cheapest opening only works 25% of the time. These coinflip mechanics make the expansion frustrating despite otherwise high quality.

Complex Resource Management: Players must manage wood sources, nature points, ink, carbon, and manpower to sustain production and avoid shortages.

Elders with Unique Gameplans: New elders like Cat and Dad offer fundamentally different playstyles, with unique mechanics such as ruins of humanity, robot automation, and exponential cataclysm management.

Dwarf Elder Mechanics: The Dwarf elder features mining and prospecting, high terrain, forced tunnels, and unique dwarf profession limitations, creating a distinct early game.

Missing Customization Options: The game lacks customization for background music, custom maps, pip appearance, elder voices, and creating your own elder.

Metaprogression Gates DLC Content: New content and buildings are unlocked through a metaprogression system using a currency called 'memories', which requires playing the base game significantly.

Audio bug after Alt+Tab: Two background music tracks can blast simultaneously after switching out of the game with Alt+Tab. This creates overlapping audio and an unpleasant experience.

Recommended for Base Game Fans: Players who enjoy the base game will find this DLC a perfect addition and an easy recommendation. It enhances the experience for those already hooked.

Play Base Game First: First play a game without the DLC and only the base game. This helps you decide if you enjoy the core experience before investing in the DLC.

Consider Starting with Base: Only think about buying this if you're just starting with the base game. Otherwise, you'll have to replay the base game to access DLC content.

Not Recommended Currently: Some players do not recommend buying the DLC at this stage. They suggest waiting for improvements or updates.

Worth It Many Times Over: This DLC is considered highly valuable and worth the purchase multiple times. It offers significant content for the price.

Session length: 8.0h.

Endgame: 50.0h.

While some players enjoy the unique early game, the dominant time-to-fun profile is gated: new content is locked behind meta progression and the early game is rough, with enjoyment explicitly reported for those who have unlocked everything from the original launch.

Friction: New content locked behind meta progression; Early game rough with heat, cataclysm, and resource management; Meta progression considered egregious.

Unlock drivers: Unlocking everything from the original launch gives a fresh new sense of progression.

Base-Game Loyalist: Continue familiar base-game loops and purchase DLC as a direct expansion of that experience. Motivation: Extend a base game they already enjoy with more of the same content. Stance: buy.

Zone-Out Meta-Progression Grinder: Zone out through repeat runs and narrative simulation while progressing meta unlocks. Motivation: Relaxing immersion and the satisfaction of grinding to unlock content. Stance: sale.

Systems-Focused Returning Veteran: Optimize race and tech-tree interactions, manage high mental load, and expect DLC to work with existing saves. Motivation: Mastering deep systems and continuing an established progression without being forced to restart. Stance: no buy.

Monetization: The reviews discuss a traditional paid DLC expansion, focusing on content access, base-game integration, compatibility, and value for the $8 price. There is no evidence of in-game purchases, real-money gacha, loot boxes, paid power, paid convenience, currency obfuscation, or a cash shop. The complaints concern DLC design and compatibility rather than predatory monetization.

Folkways DLC mentioned: Reviewers specifically name the Folkways DLC when discussing issues and elder mechanics. This identification helps focus feedback on the correct expansion.

DLC integrates well: The DLC adds a large amount of content that integrates naturally with the base game. This seamless addition enhances the overall experience.

Fresh progression for veterans: The addition provides a fresh sense of progression for players who had unlocked everything from the original launch. This revitalizes the game for long-time players.

Solo developer project: The game is developed by a solo developer, which is noted as a notable aspect. This context influences expectations and appreciation for the game.

Trade Secrets DLC released: A new DLC called Trade Secrets is available now. This indicates ongoing support and new content for players.