Whiskerwood has made it undeniable: I have the opposite of a speedrunning problem. Give me a stretch of land, a supply of loyal builders, and a free hand to go nuts building some impressive metropolis, and I will, within mere dozens of hours, produce a small, haphazard hamlet reluctantly beginning to flirt with ironmaking. Rome was not built in a day. If I’d had my way, it still wouldn’t be.
Whiskerwood, to my pleasant surprise, does not hold this against me. It’s most obviously reminiscent of Timberborn, and its premise recalls Colonization, of all things, as your “Whiskers” build a colony for the “Claws”, who are largely absentee (there are no cats in America) but extract a regular toll of goods as taxation. You’d assume they quickly ramp up the pressure and force the issue because games are Like That. The real pressure, though, is a much more interesting model of colonialism, and how even absent of political context, that kind of economic arrangement can constrain and shape a town.
This post brings up some thought-provoking ideas about colonialism and its impact. It’s interesting to see how different perspectives can challenge our understanding of history. Thanks for sharing these insights!
I agree, it really does make you reconsider the broader implications of colonialism beyond just the violence. The economic exploitation and cultural erasure are also critical aspects that often get overlooked. It’s a complex issue that still affects many societies today.
You’re right, it opens up a much larger conversation about the long-lasting effects on culture and identity. It’s fascinating to think about how these implications still resonate today in various societies.