What happens when the apocalypse finally ends? It’s a question that’s sparked countless interpretations, but one that the developers behind one of Steam Next Fest’s most popular city-builders are uniquely equipped to explore. After spending an hour with their latest demo, it turns out life after the end isn’t so bad—assuming you’re okay with a diet that pushes the boundaries of culinary tradition.

After Inc blends classic city-building with 4X strategy elements, letting your settlement grow organically as you push beyond the unknown, gathering resources and expanding into uncharted territory. You start small—survivors huddled around a fire in makeshift shelters—and slowly spread outward through the fog of war, scouting for forests to harvest or fertile grasslands to turn into farms.

The core challenge is balancing supply and demand. Water, food, and fuel keep your people going, but staying ahead of shortages is manageable—if you keep an eye on your Stamina meter. This resource governs how quickly actions can be performed, and it regenerates faster with a larger population. That means you can trade population growth for short-term gains: sending someone to scavenge might not be sustainable, but it could save you during a harsh winter.

Familiar city-builder mechanics like Morale and Authority shape how your community functions, alongside random events that shake things up. These range from food poisoning outbreaks to brutal winter storms threatening your stores. The demo features a limited pool of events, so you’ll likely see repeats—on one run, I missed the opportunity to discover food preservation three times, wasting heaps of spoiled rations in the process.

This is partly because the optimal choice is usually clear. If someone’s sick, spending extra water to treat them protects both health and morale. If dumping a bit of rotten food unlocks a huge production boost, why not? And if wild dogs somehow become a morale-boosting, supply-rich delicacy—thanks to a pre-apocalypse misunderstanding about “hot dogs”—well, who’s to judge?

Putting ethics aside, this tendency toward clear, low-stress decisions makes After Inc a surprisingly laid-back experience, especially on normal difficulty. Its pastoral, solarpunk visual style pairs perfectly with a mobile-optimized UI that transitions smoothly to PC. The full game will include an endless mode, which looks like a serene way to maintain a thriving post-apocalyptic town indefinitely. Even dealing with zombies lurking in the fog is low-drama—you can ignore them, or quietly dispatch fighters to clear zones before expanding.

Currently ranked second in Steam Next Fest’s city-builder category—just behind a stunning voxel-based title with equally strong vibes—After Inc owes much of its popularity to its connection with Plague Inc., as well as its intuitive, mobile-friendly design. While it may not be the most intricate strategy game on offer, its chill, tabletop-inspired take on the post-apocalyptic world is undeniably refreshing.

Meanwhile at Next Fest, don’t miss the RPG that inspired Undertale, featuring work from Toby Fox.

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