Tide and Timber

Tide and Timber is a slower, thoughtful strategy game about growing a string of coastal settlements. You lay out fishing docks, timber yards, and trade routes, then watch the little economy tick along while storms and seasons keep you honest.

There's no timer breathing down your neck, which is refreshing. Decisions land over minutes and hours, not seconds. The joy is in optimizing your supply chains and slowly turning a struggling hamlet into a busy port.

It asks for patience and a bit of planning, so it won't suit anyone craving fast action. But if the idea of a peaceful, tidy strategy game appeals, this one is quietly excellent.

What we liked

• Relaxed, no-pressure pacing
• Satisfying supply-chain puzzles
• Seasons and weather that matter