Before the Ash

Build and grow ancient Pompeii before Mount Vesuvius erupts! A strategic city-builder with cards and hexagonal tiles where every decision counts against time.

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Game Features

Discover what makes Before the Ash a unique and engaging strategy experience

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Strategic City Building

Build and expand ancient Pompeii using hexagonal tiles. Each placement affects resource generation and city prosperity.

📋

Innovative Card Mechanics

Use building cards strategically to develop your city. Manage your hand and plan ahead for maximum efficiency.

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Volcanic Disasters

Face frequent eruptions from Mount Vesuvius. Extinguish fires, manage disasters, and race against the final cataclysm.

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Resource Management

Balance wood, stone, gold, and population. Accumulate resources to unlock advanced buildings and strategies.

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Faith System

Generate faith by extinguishing fires. Use this precious resource to reroll cards and delay the final eruption.

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One-Handed Gameplay

Designed for accessibility and convenience. Play entirely with mouse controls, perfect for any gaming setup.

How to Play

Master the art of ancient city planning with these essential gameplay mechanics

1

Place Buildings Strategically

Use cards to place buildings on hexagonal tiles. Each building generates resources over time and contributes to your city's growth.

2

Manage Resources Wisely

Balance wood, stone, gold, and population. Accumulate resources to unlock higher-tier buildings with better yields.

3

Fight the Fires

Click on fires to extinguish them and prevent spread. Extinguishing fires generates valuable faith points for strategic advantages.

4

Maximize Your Score

Score points by placing buildings, extinguishing fires, gathering resources, and restoring charred tiles before the final eruption.

Game Controls

Left Click on Cards Enter Build Mode
Right Click Exit Build Mode
Left Click on Fires Extinguish Fires
Press 'C' Toggle CRT Effect
Before the Ash Game

About Before the Ash

Before the Ash is an innovative strategy city-builder that combines traditional urban planning with unique card-based mechanics. Set in ancient Pompeii, players must develop a thriving civilization while constantly facing the looming threat of Mount Vesuvius.

Originally created in just one week for the Godot Wild Jam 79, this game has captivated players with its unique "one-handed" gameplay design and compelling time-pressure mechanics that create an intense yet strategic gaming experience.

The game features a distinctive hexagonal tile system where every placement decision matters, as you balance resource generation, city expansion, and volcanic disaster management in a race against time.

Game Credits

Game Design & Programming
Aviv Levy
Music & Sound Effects
Paul Maaswinkel
Engine
Godot Engine 4.4
Art Tools
Pyxel Edit

Before the Ash

Experience the ultimate strategy challenge in ancient Pompeii. Build, survive, and achieve the highest score before the volcano erupts.

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