The review
Elvenar is a city builder first and a strategy game second. You pick a race at the start — elves lean toward magic and greenery, humans toward industry and stone — and that choice changes the look of every building you unlock afterwards.
The core loop is comfortable: place production buildings, keep culture and population balanced, and push into a branching research tree that gates new district types. Space is the real constraint, so most decisions come down to how you rearrange a crowded grid.
Fellowships add a social layer through trading and shared tournament goals. Combat exists but can largely be automated, which keeps the game squarely in relaxed territory.
How it plays
- Grid-based city layout with limited expansion tiles
- Branching research tree tied to race choice
- Resource trading with other players through fellowships
- Optional auto-resolved province battles
- Seasonal building events
Strengths
- Beautiful, distinctive art direction that ages well
- Meaningful long-term city planning puzzles
- Strong, welcoming trading communities
What to expect
- Timers stretch out noticeably in the mid-game
- Combat is shallow compared with the building side
- Event buildings can crowd an otherwise tidy layout
Optional purchases
Free to play throughout. Diamonds buy expansions, instant builds and event currency. You can progress without them, but timers are the trade-off.
