If you grew up playing strategy classics in the ’90s and still feel nostalgic for that era of deep, thoughtful gameplay, the strategy game Craftlings might be your next wishlist must-have. Developed by ARIANO Games GmbH, the upcoming indie strategy title launches on Windows PC via Steam on January 15, 2026, priced at $14.99 — and it’s shaping up to be a love letter to old-school strategy without skimping on modern polish and automation mechanics.
What Is Craftlings: A Strategy game with a Twist on Classic Gameplay
At its core, Craftlings blends elements of resource management, settlement building, and automation puzzles in a vibrant side-scrolling world. You don’t control characters directly in the traditional action sense — instead, you guide a cluster of little Craftlings, assigning them tasks like gathering resources, constructing buildings, and optimizing production chains to grow your settlement. By the looks of it, this comes across as the lovechild of terraria and lemmings.
The game draws obvious inspiration from beloved strategy classics — particularly those like Lemmings with their chaotic little units — but adds a heavier focus on building, planning, and strategic decision-making. Rather than simply shepherding characters to an exit, you’re building entire production networks, directing Craftlings’ professions (lumberjacks, masons, miners, warriors, and more), and fine-tuning their automated workflows to overcome each level’s challenge. This combination creates a layered experience that rewards planning and experimentation, making each level feel like a puzzle that’s both familiar and fresh.
Explore Distinct Biomes & Tactical Challenges
Craftlings doesn’t just throw you into a single environment — the game features multiple distinct biomes, each with unique challenges, resources, and goals. Whether you’re navigating lush grasslands, arid deserts, or snowy tundra’s, each biome demands different strategies and thoughtful resource allocation.
In total, the full release boasts:
- 12 unique, handcrafted levels
- 25+ standard buildings and many quest-specific structures
- 3 diverse biomes with distinct mechanics
- 4 types of trainable warrior Craftlings
- 3 unique boss encounters
- 25+ hours of gameplay with replay value
- A global ranking system for competitive players who enjoy speedruns and optimization challenges
Art Style & Sound: Nostalgic Yet Modern
Craftlings’ visual presentation is a standout aspect of its charm. The game features a modern pixel art style that pays homage to the classics you remember from the 90s — crisp, colorful sprites packed with personality, animated with just enough flair to make every Craftlings feel alive.
Accompanying the visuals is a soothing, atmospheric soundtrack and whimsical sound design that together help balance the strategic challenge with a relaxed pace. Whether you’re tackling a complex automation puzzle or just enjoying the world unfold, the audio-visual combo creates a comfortable, immersive experience that complements the gameplay perfectly.
Combat and Creativity: More Than Just Building
While optimization and base-building are at the heart of Craftlings, combat also plays a role. Some levels introduce enemies like skeletons and other creatures, requiring you to train your Craftlings and construct defensive buildings such as barracks to protect your settlement.
Beyond combat, the game encourages creativity — whether you’re designing production lines that run like clockwork or figuring out clever ways to shepherd your Craftlings without direct control. Interaction tools like ladders, blockers, and directional cues let you shape their behavior indirectly, giving you a wonderfully tactile problem-solving experience.
For fans of management, tactical decision-making strategy games Craftlings hits a sweet spot between nostalgia and innovation. Its blend of chaotic little units, thoughtful automation, and handcrafted level design makes it feel both familiar and excitingly new. With a full launch just around the corner, and plenty of features to dig into — from varied biomes to repayable challenges — Craftlings has the potential to be one of 2026’s most charming indie strategy surprises.
Release & Platform Details
Release Date: January 15, 2026
Platform: Windows PC (Steam)
Price: $14.99 (launch price)
