Before the Silence
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About Before the Silence
Before the Silence is a turn-based strategy game developed by Left Bank Interactive and released on PC March 31, 2026. You lead a government anti-disinformation team, fighting to neutralize terrorist influence by managing agents, analyzing media, and allocating resources across regions. The game blends simulation and strategic planning, asking you to balance fact-checking, resource scarcity, and public trust. It’s a niche title for players who enjoy slow-burn narratives and systemic problem-solving over action or combat. The setting is a near-future authoritarian state, with a focus on bureaucratic efficiency and propaganda warfare. Think of it as a cerebral, deskbound strategy game where your tools are spreadsheets and memos rather than weapons.
Gameplay
Each turn revolves around assigning agents to tasks like verifying news sources, tracking extremist networks, or lobbying officials. You spend time parsing news snippets for lies, adjusting budgets, and prioritizing regions based on threat levels. The UI is dense with graphs and metrics, requiring constant monitoring of agent morale, resource depletion, and public sentiment. Mistakes, like missing a fake story or overextending agents, trigger cascading failures, like riots or misinformation spreading. Gameplay is methodical, with limited quick-time events or dynamic action. You’ll cycle through menus, allocate hours to tasks, and react to events in a loop that rewards patience but punishes indecision. The single-player campaign spans 40+ missions, each region offering unique challenges.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5, with 78% “Completed” and an average playtime of 12.7 hours. 46% of players finish all 78 achievements, which track agent promotions, region stability, and resource-saving milestones. Community moods lean “challenging” (32%) and “frustrating” (18%), with some calling it “a spreadsheet wrapped in a story.” Critics praise its originality but note a steep learning curve; one review on Steam says, “The tutorial assumes you’ve played similar games.” 68% of ratings are 5 stars, while 15% are 1-star, often citing unclear feedback loops. The game’s difficulty spikes in Act 3, where multiple regions collapse simultaneously.
PlayPile's Take
Before the Silence is for strategy fans who enjoy systems over spectacle. It’s not a casual pick-up; mastering agent skills, resource tiers, and event triggers takes time. The $39.99 price tag feels fair for the depth, though the lack of multiplayer or mod support limits long-term appeal. If you thrive in slow, data-heavy games and don’t mind grinding through menus, it’s worth the investment. However, its niche focus may alienate players seeking faster-paced or visually driven experiences. Completionists will appreciate the 78 achievements, but be prepared to replay missions for full mastery.
Game Modes
Single player
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