Trade, Build, Settle: The City Builder with Strong Catan Vibes That’s Pouncing on Steam

For a certain kind of gamer, nothing is more satisfying than a well-oiled machine of production and trade. The meticulous planning of a city, the careful balancing of resources, and the strategic expansion of influence are pure gaming catnip. If you find yourself in that camp, then there is a new city-building game on Steam that is about to become your latest obsession. Released as a full title after a successful demo period, Let Them Trade is a beautiful and unique city-builder that has been drawing direct comparisons to the classic board game, Catan. By focusing on indirect control, a simulated economy, and the crucial establishment of trade routes, the game offers a fresh, relaxing, and deeply rewarding experience.

More Than a Mayor, Less Than a God

Unlike most city-building games where you act as a god-like figure with direct control over every aspect of your city, Let Them Trade places you in a more passive, but no less important, role. The game gives you control over building placements—you decide where the cities go—but the cities themselves manage their own citizens’ needs autonomously. This is a crucial distinction that gives the game its unique flavor. You’re not managing individual villagers’ hunger or happiness; you’re managing an entire economy. Each city has its own budget and resources, and the citizens, acting on their own, will buy and sell goods independently. You, as the player, receive a percentage of taxes from these trades, and the wealth of your cities and the happiness of their citizens are a direct reflection of your strategic decisions.

The game’s core loop revolves around building a network of interconnected settlements. You acquire resources by founding new cities and establishing trade routes between them. These routes are the lifeblood of your growing kingdom. You must carefully consider what resources each city produces and then set up the optimal routes to ensure that goods are flowing efficiently. The prices of goods will vary from city to city, allowing you to buy low and sell high for maximum profit. This is where the Catan comparison becomes most apparent. The game is all about resource management and trading, but instead of trading with other players, you’re trading with a complex, simulated economy that you have helped to create.

Charming Aesthetics and Strategic Depth

Let Them Trade features a charming, isometric, wooden art style that is both beautiful and inviting. The world feels like a living diorama, with tiny figures moving around as you build and expand. The game is designed to be a “relaxed city builder,” and while it lacks the punishing threats of other survival builders, it is not without its challenges. The game’s complexity comes from its simulated supply chains and the need for careful long-term planning. You must research new buildings and resources, send out your knights to scout for new lands, and protect your growing economy from cheeky bandits who are attracted to the wealth of your cities. The game also includes both a sandbox mode for creative play and a campaign with different scenarios and goals, ensuring that there is a wealth of content for all playstyles.

A Testament to the Indie Scene

Let Them Trade is a perfect example of the innovation happening in the indie game scene. Developed by Spaceflower and published by ByteRockers’ Games, it is a game that is pushing the genre forward by focusing on a niche but deeply satisfying gameplay loop. It doesn’t need to be a massive, AAA title with hyper-realistic graphics to be a great game. Its success on Steam and its “Very Positive” reviews are a testament to the idea that a unique concept and solid execution are more than enough to capture the hearts of a dedicated fanbase. For gamers who find themselves drawn to resource management and the beauty of a well-functioning economy, Let Them Trade is a must-play.

Conclusion: Time to Start a New Business Venture

If you’re a fan of trade-heavy city builders, or if the mention of Catan makes your heart sing, then you absolutely need to check out Let Them Trade. It’s a game that takes a simple, beautiful concept and builds a world of strategic depth around it. The feeling of watching your tiny settlements grow into bustling centers of commerce, all powered by the trade routes you’ve so carefully laid out, is an incredibly rewarding experience. So, get ready to dive in, start a new business venture, and build an empire one trade route at a time. Your new gaming obsession awaits.