Beecarbonize is perhaps the most sophisticated 'climate game' I've ever played. It manages to boil down the incredibly complex intersection of global economics, social policy, and environmental science into a card game that is easy to pick up but immensely difficult to master. Every run feels like a fresh puzzle. You might decide to go 'all-in' on industrial expansion to fund quick tech breakthroughs, only to find yourself buried under the resulting ecological disasters.
The game doesn't shy away from the hard truths of climate change, but it also provides a sense of agency that is empowering. The variety of end-game states—from complete collapse to a high-tech solar utopia—provides excellent replayability. It’s the kind of game that makes you think about the real-world news long after you’ve put your phone down. Highly recommended for anyone who loves deep strategy and wants to understand the systems shaping our future.
This is much more than a 'message' game. It's a legitimate card strategy title. The tension between needing resources to survive and the resulting pollution is handled with a mechanical precision that I didn't expect. It's tough—you will fail many times before finding a winning path, which is exactly how a strategy game should be. It doesn't hold your hand. The art style is distinct and clean, making the board easy to read. My only gripe is that once you figure out the optimal 'Science' rush, some of the challenge dissipates. For a free game without microtransaction nonsense, it’s an outlier in today's market.
Performance: Runs perfectly; excellent UI for touch screens.
Buy if: You enjoy card-based strategy games like Cultist Simulator or Frostpunk.
Skip if: You want a relaxing game that doesn't punish your mistakes.
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 2.1Thu Aug 31 2023
French, Spanish, and Brazilian-Portugese localization!
Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.Apple Design Award Finalist in the Social Impact category! Battle climate change, shape policies, and survive extreme events. Now introducing Hardcore mode!
Research cutting-edge technologies, enact policies, protect ecosystems, and modernize industry to cut down carbon emissions. Manage your resources well and you might survive.
ACCESSIBLE, BUT COMPLEX SIMULATION
Will you favor industrial reforms, nature conservation or people initiatives? There are many ways to solve climate change and reduce pollution. But saving the planet is not an easy task. The more carbon emissions you produce the more extreme events you will have to deal with.
STEER SOCIETY & INDUSTRY
You have to balance the power-generating industry, social reforms, ecological policies and scientific endeavors. Will you transition from fossil fuels as fast as possible? Or will you focus on carbon capture technologies first? Experiment with new strategies and don’t be afraid to start again.
235 UNIQUE CARDS
Game cards represent inventions, laws, social advancements, or industries - each designed on the basis of real-world climate science. In addition, partially randomized world events occur, forcing you to adapt your strategy. Gradually unlock new cards in the game encyclopedia and chart your path towards a new future.
IMPACTFUL EVENTS, HIGH REPLAYABILITY
The world of Beecarbonize reacts to your actions. More emissions mean more floods or heatwaves, investing in nuclear power raises the risk of a nuclear incident, and so on. Learn more with each run and you might overcome environmental catastrophes, social unrest, and even avert the end of life on earth.
Beecarbonize is a strategic challenge that lets you experience phenomena shaping our everyday lives hands-on. Just how many seasons can you last?
NEW HARDCORE MODE
We are introducing Hardcore mode, the ultimate challenge in Beecarbonize for experienced players. In Hardcore mode you will face the harsh reality of climate change. Can you defy the odds and save the planet even in this extreme scenario?
ABOUT
The game was developed in cooperation with leading climate experts from NGO People in Need as a part of the 1Planet4All project financed by the European Union.










Beecarbonize is a high-stakes strategy card game where climate change is your primary opponent. You are tasked with steering society through a complex simulation involving 120 unique cards representing real-world technologies, laws, and social advancements. You must balance the demands of the power-generating industry against ecological policies and scientific research. Every decision has consequences—higher emissions trigger floods and heatwaves, while nuclear investment carries its own set of risks. Can you reach a carbon-neutral future before it’s too late?
120 unique cards based on real climate science
Impactful randomized world events that force strategy changes
Hardcore mode for veteran strategy players
Complex simulation of industry, ecology, and science
Focus on 'Research' cards early to unlock cleaner energy sources. Don't ignore 'Social Reforms' as they provide the stability needed to survive the transition from fossil fuels. If emissions get too high, prioritize 'Carbon Capture' immediately.
The game tracks your carbon levels. Once they reach certain thresholds, negative events like 'Social Unrest' or 'Global Heatwave' trigger automatically. Keep your deck lean and focus on high-impact ecological cards to lower these levels quickly.
High emissions lead to more frequent and extreme global events, such as floods and heatwaves, which can eventually end the game.