Life is Hard
Released Aug 2021
Life is Hard is a godsim town simulator game developed by a two-man-team. Your main aim here is to manage your town. Expand your domain, prevent famine, make war, trade with others, attract new people. Make history!
62% positive · 555 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $9.99
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site
Evaluation
Life is Hard launched on August 14, 2021, having previously been in development and receiving substantial updates. The game's entire documented news history spans from 2017 through June 2019, with the most recent developer communication being a feature patch on June 6, 2019. There have been no developer posts, patches, announcements, or communications of any kind since June 6, 2019 — over seven years before today (June 27, 2026). The game formally left Early Access and launched as version 1.0 on August 14, 2021 with no accompanying announcement of further content plans. The sole DLC on the store is the game's soundtrack, released back in November 2015, and no other DLC has been listed or announced. The developer's last substantive roadmap reference was a July 2018 post noting they hoped to leave Early Access after bug fixing, with no specific future content commitments made. Given over seven years of complete developer silence, the absence of any announced or unreleased DLC, and no stated plans for ongoing updates, the game is best understood as having launched as its completed final form on August 14, 2021.
Evidence
Feature patch adding new gameplay mechanics, content, and bug fixes. This is the most recent developer communication on record.
Developer returned after a funding gap, describing recent additions and stating they hoped to leave Early Access after fixing remaining bugs. No specific future content roadmap beyond 1.0 launch.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Pirozhok Studio
Achievements
31
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
Life is Hard is a godsim town simulator game. It contains classic strategy games mechanics, referring to such diamonds as Stronghold and Settlers, combining them with survival and RPG elements in aim to create unique game experience.
Your main aim here is to manage your town. Start with a small village with just 4 settlers and turn it into a prosper town with beautiful buildings, crowded markets and strong walls. Expand your domain, prevent famine and pestilence, make war, trade with other settlements, attract new people, craft armor and weapons. Make history!
Start the path by choosing your patron - one of six ancient gods. Every one of them provides unique magic spells and a hero to help your reign. Would you use Light spells to heal your soldiers or is it more fun to raise your enemies as obedient undead soldiers with help of the God of Darkness? It's up to you to deside! But be careful - if you don't appease your god he will call his wrath upon your settlement!
Protect your settlers from Tenebris the Necromancer and find out what happened to these lands. Free yourself from the yoke of the Northern Kingdom. Or is it better to become their loyal vassal? Make you choice, but remember - every medal has its reverse.
Whatever you choose, your path won’t be easy. You'll have to start over and over again, trying many different playing styles, before finding your own way to survive in this unfriendly world. With every failure you'll get a little bit closer to success.
Your settlers have personal traits and skills, so your settlements will never be the same. Drunkard miners and chatterbox woodcutters will make the game even more fun!
An original soundtrack with more than 10 themes by Vitaliy Ruzankin awaits you in Life is Hard along with a voiceover in two languages (English and Russian) done by professional actors.
Game concept

Your main aim here is to manage your town. Start with a small village with just 4 settlers and turn it into a prosper town with beautiful buildings, crowded markets and strong walls. Expand your domain, prevent famine and pestilence, make war, trade with other settlements, attract new people, craft armor and weapons. Make history!
Godsim element

Start the path by choosing your patron - one of six ancient gods. Every one of them provides unique magic spells and a hero to help your reign. Would you use Light spells to heal your soldiers or is it more fun to raise your enemies as obedient undead soldiers with help of the God of Darkness? It's up to you to deside! But be careful - if you don't appease your god he will call his wrath upon your settlement!
Storyline

Protect your settlers from Tenebris the Necromancer and find out what happened to these lands. Free yourself from the yoke of the Northern Kingdom. Or is it better to become their loyal vassal? Make you choice, but remember - every medal has its reverse.
Hard and challenging, because Life is Hard

Whatever you choose, your path won’t be easy. You'll have to start over and over again, trying many different playing styles, before finding your own way to survive in this unfriendly world. With every failure you'll get a little bit closer to success.
Every attempt is unique

Your settlers have personal traits and skills, so your settlements will never be the same. Drunkard miners and chatterbox woodcutters will make the game even more fun!
Beautiful soundtrack and professional voiceover

An original soundtrack with more than 10 themes by Vitaliy Ruzankin awaits you in Life is Hard along with a voiceover in two languages (English and Russian) done by professional actors.
We're here to help!
Feel free to share your opinion about our game. As Life is Hard is still in Early Access, we're always open to new ideas and comments!Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content