Ostriv

One of the better city builder games out there

While the game is still being developed and fixed as its creator makes improvements, it is still an awesome game and I can't wait to see how far it will go yet!

Very peaceful, very nice game with many realistic and at the same time well-implemented gameplay mechanics. I like it a lot and highly recommend it! Looking forward to the updates which also roll in very frequently. Keep up the good work :)

Great game with lots of different resources and chains, higly recommend watching a gameplay first to understand what you are doing and plan your build.

Great game that just keeps getting better thanks to a amazing dev who clearly loves the game! Well crafted! Relaxing city builder. The dev is awesome responds to any issues.

Very smart and relaxing Game !

Relaxing as hell.

I bought this game October 2020, I'd consider myself a veteran city builder all the way back to SimCity2000. As far as Ostriv goess in 2025, I'd rate it better than newer releases and city builders from the last 2 years and it's still in development. It's a constant but reachable challenge to get the balance right and when you do, it's satisfying like a 1000m heads shot. Late game stuff seems hard but building your resource engine steadily makes it reachable. Pig and Chicken farming is a balance to behold, 1 mismanage of crops and you're screwed.
As the game develops I would like to see paths cover back over if they stop being used and a late game monument or something would be nice but it's not needed. A map builder would be a dream, I'd build a mini Kyiv in tribute to the absolute legends in that country and those that made the game.

Very relaxing, a little too slow paced for my taste. But it's so satifying to watch people do stuff.

good stuff

Worthy of obsession-level play. If this is a genre you normally play, you will not be wasting you money. Well designed, easy to learn even without a tutorial, and a good balance between success and failure. You want this in your library. It's only going to get better.

I have been playing this game off and on since its early versions. The organic approach that the developer has taken with this game makes it truly enjoyable and I keep coming back to see what they have done next. the pathways trails and roads that dynamically appear and grow based on your towns layout are one of my favorite parts. the detail in the buildings as the workers assemble them is another. I like how you can go from the birds eye view to following an individual towns person around. this is a great game that does not get enough press. I look forward to every update.

I Starved to death three times and froze to death twice. Hell yah, realistic experience

My wife plays this game a lot.
The game has a really good graphics, and highly detailed building construction process.
Every person of your village has his own thoughts about his life, and what job they would like to take.
The game gives a very realistic feel.

But there are some strange moments, for example when there were money problems, the game did not end, or give some penalties, but just gave you a loan for an extra 1000 $ and never asked back for it.

So some polishing is still required but the game is worth the time spent.
Hoping the developers will continue to work.
It would be very cool if there were quests, game goals (for example to reach a certain population, or to earn a certain amount of money, or to build a specific building etc.), events etc.

This game is not close to being as good as Manor Lords. I know it's being made by a single guy that is from a war torn land at present, and I wish him well. The game however has only 3 very small maps (small compared to games like Manor Lords, Anno, etc.) Maybe in the future it will be a lot better, but for now it has a lot to be desired. I wish that Steam had a star rating system instead of just a thumbs up/thumbs down system. I wouldn't say it is all bad, but it is far from being good presently. I would rate it at a 4/10 in the star system, but only a thumbs down (No) in this current system. A tutorial would definitely help, and some better maps maybe. I will check back maybe when it is in beta instead of alpha stage.

Probably the most realistic settlement building I've ever played. The seasonal harvesting, food scarcity and struggle to satisfy people needs feels really authentic

Another huge plus is how lovingly and accurate the game recreates the Ukrainian aesthetics. From music and clothing to architecture and overall village "vibes".

I've absolutely enjoed seeing my small ten families hutor grow into an actual village, with founding families becoming wealthy and proud pillars of community, and tracing generations of villagers up to one small family who one day chose to call my settlement home.

I love this game, always eagerly awaiting the next update and what changes and improvements it will bring to my cities.

Game is very challenging and fun. So if you like your hand held in games don't bother.

Гарна гра

best of the best

This is a fun game that is still being updated for a casual gamer. The Developer hasn't overworked your computer but still made great graphics compared to the other corporate games out there.

"Ostriv" is an absolute gem in the indie gaming world, proving that Ukrainian developers can create projects on par with industry giants like Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts. This city-building simulation is not just another game—it’s a labor of love that showcases the depth of talent in Ukraine’s gaming industry.

Set in the 18th-century Ukrainian countryside, "Ostriv" delivers an incredibly detailed and immersive experience. The game’s mechanics are well thought out, offering deep economic and social simulation that rivals even the biggest titles in the genre. From managing resources to ensuring the well-being of your villagers, every decision matters. The attention to detail, historical accuracy, and stunning visuals make it a truly unique experience.

What sets "Ostriv" apart is its passion-driven development. Despite being created by a small team, the game boasts impressive AI, beautiful landscapes, and a realistic approach to city-building. It’s a shining example that Ukrainian developers have the vision and capability to compete on the global stage.

If you're a fan of strategy and simulation games, "Ostriv" is a must-play. It’s not just a great indie game—it’s a statement that Ukraine is a rising force in the gaming industry. Highly recommended!

I love this little game, it is pretty simple at the start, but gets quite intricate. It is the labor of love for a small outfit (might honestly be like 1 dude) and they have been working on this game since at least 2018. It has come a long way and I'm excited to see where it ends up.

You start with a handful of people and have to build a town. 1st year is the hardest as its a race against winter but if you can make it you'll get to build a sweet little town with everything from fishing docks to soap production. You take charge of every level of the supply chain, building everything from scratch. There is some trading to get rid of excess and purchase what you might need. I like to have a diverse trade network, buying more raw resources than you can make, supply my industry. You can raise crops, animals, make leather and cloth for cloths, tallow and fat for soap really get into it making glass wear, lime, and bricks. I would like to see more resturant/entertainment buildings instead of more production/industry. There is a pub building for entertainment you supply with alcohol but more diversity would make that interesting. You can also educate children, build little parks, rudimentary health care, and religion.

The game gets a little laggy at high populations and I have stability issues over 1,000 people. Mostly it is issues with pathfinding, you'll get white lines that indicate a broken path, however the devs are fixing the issue as i have less broken paths in these later versions of the alpha. Which is cool as even though the game has been in development for a long time, they are keeping up on it.

Wonderful Chill town builder. Still alpha but well worth it. Bought before 2022, Glory to Ukraine.

i like this game, pity its development is a a snail's pace, but i like it

This is a great game, very calming, helps to unwind.

The way the buildings are constructed is so relaxing to watch. I recommend seeing it happen at least once for each building on the first speed. Game is cool af. Get it ASAP. It's already a very good game. Can only get better from here.

extremely good citybuilder. the paving system and non linear construction makes the village feel incredibly alive. it does have a complex resource system but this adds to the charm

Ostriv is a good game that has some nice innovate mechanics. It's not perfect and has flaws, unfortunately. It's simply too slow and undeveloped right now to be a superior medieval city simulator. What I now wish every game had was vector flexible buildings. There is no grid or fixed placement of buildings and crop fields, what a damn joy it is to have a wedge shaped building in a narrow fork in the road!

I think the game is on a good path. Quicker development (devs are working in Ukraine, so no fault their nation is invaded), stronger economics and mods would make this game edge out Foundations, Farthest Frontier, and Manor Lords.

6.5/10

Great city builder game with some really cool mechanics and some great visuals and art style, still in development but they are doing some pretty cool things with the game, definitely recommend to any one who enjoys city builders.

Thats one of potential games at this genre, calm and beautiful landscape amd still lot of room to grow, have been playing for a while and I'm expecting this game will be great even with this slow and steady development, good luck!

Didn't know that 18th Century Ukrainian Village Simulator was something that I needed in my life, turns out it is!

On a serious note, I actually think this game gives Manor Lords a run for it's money.

Its been in an early state for years, part of why i no longer support solo dev projects

Ostriv is not a game about conflict or quests, nor even about striving or struggling. There are no set tasks to accomplish, and no real sense of danger or strategy. So why is this a strong contender for the best little village-builder (not city builder) on Steam?

Picture a village somewhere in Eastern Europe during the eighteenth century. Peasant farmers go about their daily lives, working in shops, tilling their little gardens, and cutting trees from the forest. A few men in row-boats fish on the river. After the cold winter, the fruit trees begin to bloom and the plowmen set to work in the fields. Other workmen assemble wood and brick to build a distillery, or maybe a salt-pump. The passage of the seasons sees the village grow, attracting even more families. All the while, peaceful music plays.

This is Ostriv. It's a work of art; still in progress, but as stable, pleasant, and growing as the villages it offers to you to design. I can't recommend it more highly.

In an early state, but the little details and resource management aspects are excellent, and not difficult to learn.

Ostriv is a fantastic city builder with nostalgic vibes from the 2000's but with modern graphics and features. The game is set in 18th century Ukraine, with beautiful detail, and individual animated villagers all doing every detail of their jobs in real time as you build. I would compare it most to "Foundations" or Manor Lords (without the military) gameplay-wise, but with more realism in terms of graphics and presentation.

Ostriv has been in alpha early access for quite a while--in large part because its being developed by only one Ukrainian person (from what I can gather). It seems the developer really wants to get it right. Even in alpha, everything works like a finished product, with new buildings and features being added and tweaked as time and circumstances allow. The game play has come a long way in that regard, and has gotten noticeably more dynamic over time as buildings become more diverse and the economics complex.

After over 220 hours of enjoyment, I'm very impressed with just how much passion has been put into the this game. Performance wise, you can run this game smoothly with every other program in your computer open at the same time with no issues. Every bug or glitch gets addressed at some point it seems, quite thoroughly. yevhen8 is really putting mainstream game developers to shame.

My only complaint with the game is the "uneven terrain" limitation can be a bit frustrating sometimes when building, and maybe should be less punishing and even have its own overlay option, so you can more easily plan ahead for that terrain limitation as you build.

$24.99 to me is a more than reasonable price. The DLC's are cool, with Patron of the Arts being a nice touch, and the music DLC especially fits the time period, is well done, and sets a relaxing mood for game play. The music is all done by Ukrainian composers from Kharkiv and matches the passion of the game. Both are essentially understood to be tips for the developer and don't add any essential gameplay content, but aesthetic content. I recommend them both nevertheless since Ostriv is a passion project and a work of art. The DLCs reflect that, and it seems the developer wants the whole game to be available for all who buy the core game. I wish the corporate developers felt the same.

i brought this game on steam special glad i did ,i had this on my wishlist's for a while this is a Amazing game the detail , its frustrating at time trying to work those taxes , many many restarts you learn as you go this city building game is got to be one of the best i have ever played its up there with the best if you like city building etc and have a lot of patience this game is for you .......... i cannot stop playing this game i am so hooked hours and hours of fun , frustration, laughter.I take my hat off to the dev fantastic work .

I've really enjoyed this game. When I first played it, for some reason it didn't click in but, the 2nd go around it did. I like the pace and level of detail involved here where some things are learned as you go. Most of it is common sense and paying attention to details. This game feels like you are more involved with your people/city as it grows versus some other games which may be a bit more arcade in style. Its a relaxing game that you can adjust the speed / pace. If you are the type of person that doesn't mind learning as you go without having every detail explained to you then this will fit well with your play style. I would definitely recommend it.

Not the fastest but active developtment. Good City builder with it's own quirks. Goes new ways in building and economy. Many buildings can be adjusted a little before placing, allowing unusual shapes instead of a form of square. Interesting way of simulating the economy.

This game is fantastic! I have been playing this game since early stages of development (as soon as it became available on Steam). A lot of the obvious bugs have been addressed and in a war-zone to boot! Definitely suggest anyone who wants a city builder experience should try this game!!!

Really detailed and relaxing city builder. Has a character all its own, quite different from Banished and the like. Set in 1700s Ukraine, there is a unique detail and a real open world feel to this one, as the town and its street grid evolve dynamically and organically. The sole developer is a one-man show based in Ukraine, so show him some support!

More of a village builder then a city builder but very well balanced and interesting. It's very satisfying to finally have all the resources (planks, bricks, glass for windows) etc and seeing the buildings go up in detailed steps.

it is rather slowpaced and it's not the bustling city you will see in games like Cities: skyline.

Cute, relaxed city builder set in a slavic setting with enough complexity to keep me busy over a slow weekend.
I enjoyed playing it very much and can't wait what the developers will add next!

Ostriv is an incredible game with a unique approach to city-building. The level of detail, historical accuracy, and depth in economic management make it truly stand out. You can feel the passion and dedication of the developer in every aspect of the game.

I really enjoyed playing and can’t wait to see new buildings and features in future updates. Highly recommended for fans of the genre!

Solid city builder. Needs a bit more challenge at this state, once you start trading charcoal it's over.

This game is exactly what I look for in a city builder. There are plenty of options for building a custom city and the dynamics of the economy and the citizens needs are near lifelike. You can decorate your city for free and use the custom tool to make the house property and farm land any size you want. The graphics are great as well, showing the gradual snow melt as it turns to spring. There is a small learning curve with taxes but a little Reddit research and some trial and error will put you on track! I would definitely recommend if you want a relaxing city builder to play!

I understand the devs are in a tragic part of the world, but it really feels as though the game is trending in a bad direction. Too many complex systems to buy and sell food that my villagers grow in their personal gardens and not enough time allowing me to create a village that feels alive. I am sure this review will be controversial, but it's just losing its magic for me.

I started playing the game quite a while ago, and really enjoyed it. It was still in development when I played last so it didn't have any of the improvements, and so it's even better now. Such a cool and fun game, and it barely uses any storage space.

A good game. Alpha? Takes up about 500 MB? Basic city builder? yet its mechanics hooked me for 10 hours.

Great game, excellent mechanics. Super entertaining and just about the right amount of challenging.

There's something about this game that makes me happy and relaxed... especially in how you can see families grow and branch out in your village over time. I discovered at some point that you can even see people's work history. I noticed one worker I had fired many times from the forestry, and a 75yr old man working alone in the stone quarry and I actually felt bad for them. It's also funny and sad how two of my families are always in the red. I have to keep giving them financial aid from time to time. I'm pretty sure it's my fault they're so poor... but oh well.

Overall, I think some QOL are needed. The way maps are modeled could be improved and it would be nice to have a procedurally generated map with randomized resources. I also think players could be given more control over management. But overall, it was a solid experience with an interesting setting.