Stormworks: Build and Rescue

Stormworks: Build and Rescue is a simulator game developed by indie studio Sunfire Software and published by Green Man Gaming Publishing. Set in an open-world, oceanic environment, Stormworks puts the player in building and managing a coast guard service operations center. The game features several modes, including career and creative mode. Stormworks received a highly positive initial response, with players noting the level creative and managing freedom given by the developers, as well as the chance to upload and download other players’ builds through Steam Workshop.  

Sandbox builder gameplay

Build and Rescue is set in an open-world environment consisting of an ocean and several islands. The player begins their career with only one island and minimal structures and resources. They can expand their area of operations by building better facilities and creating vehicles using an innovative, block-based building system. Expanding and exploring the world of the game creates the in-game map, which the player can use to fast-travel between distant locations.

To earn money and gain resources for expansion, the player must participate in various missions: delivery, rescue, firefighting, etc. Missions appear over time in the world and become unavailable after their time limit expires.

The game features a Creative mode where the player can build without resource and area restrictions. Creative mode allows building very large vehicles thanks to shipyards and airports provided to the player. With the Steam Workshop support, Stormworks allows downloading and uploading builds made by the gamer community.

Initial reception

Stormworks game received highly positive initial reception from the players. Those who played the early access version of the game noted the open-word gameplay, unique building mechanics and the creative mode as Stormworks’ strongest points. The creative mode, which allowed cooperating with other players, building, uploading and downloading created vehicles was considered another of the game’s positives, one that made Build and Rescue a really unique experience.