The peaceful life of medieval Scotland just got a lot more personal! MinMax Games and publisher Hooded Horse have just rolled out another major update for Clanfolk, their relaxing colony sim set in the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Since its early access launch, Clanfolk has steadily built a loyal following for its intricate yet serene simulation of village life, and with this 15th update, they’re going all-in on deepening family bonds and relationships within the game.
While Clanfolk has always been about managing resources and keeping your little clan alive through the tough seasons, this update shifts some of that focus into the home, bringing families closer with brand-new systems for family traits, skills, and even personal story events. This means your villagers won’t just be NPCs who chop wood, fish, and haul dirt—they’ll now have unique qualities and quirks that stand out a bit more, and you’ll see them grow and evolve in more meaningful ways. Think about it as getting a little more attached to your clan’s individual “characters” rather than just managing a nameless group of settlers.
One of the update’s standout features is the addition of family traits and relationships. Each character will now have distinct personality traits that influence their mood, work ethic, and relationships with other family members. It’s not just about making sure their bellies are full anymore—now you’ll need to keep an eye on who gets along with whom, what they’re good at, and how they’re feeling about their lives. Given how Clanfolk is all about medieval survival, this adds a juicy layer of strategy too: a family that gets along well will naturally work more efficiently. Whereas the blacksmith that’s constantly bickering with the farmer? Well, you can expect some tensions to boil over eventually.
And for those who love a good backstory, Clanfolk is going all-in on storytelling. The update introduces story events that pop up based on characters’ traits, relationships, and skills. A hard-working yet temperamental villager might go on a personal quest for more respect from their clan, while the village’s resident pacifist may find themselves in a moral dilemma when it’s time to defend the homestead. These events don’t lead you down any rigid path—instead, they weave themselves into the ongoing story of your village, making each playthrough feel even more unique. It’s like watching your medieval family’s drama unfold in real time.
With skills also getting an upgrade, you’ll find more depth in how your villagers improve and specialize in their roles. Some are natural-born fishermen, while others might excel in the kitchen, becoming the heart of the hearth. As these talents develop, so too will your clan’s ability to thrive, especially when winter comes knocking. Knowing who to prioritize for specific jobs becomes as important as managing your stock of food and firewood.
What’s great about this update is that it doesn’t just add new features—it builds on what Clanfolk already does well: delivering a calm yet rich simulation of village life, where systems interlock in satisfying ways, and every decision feels meaningful. The addition of these social and narrative layers won’t feel overwhelming for newcomers either. Even if you’re new to the game, this patch makes it easier to get attached to your clan and make tiny little moments feel more personal and impactful.
For those who love that chill mix of strategy, survival, and world-building—Clanfolk continues to be a must-play. It’s clear that MinMax Games plans to keep refining and expanding this already lovable game. We can’t wait to see where this is going next, but for now, there’s plenty to dive into with this family-focused update.
Don’t already have Clanfolk? You can check it out right here: Clanfolk on Steam.
Some Quick Tips for New Players:
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Lay the Groundwork: Start your village near water sources and fertile land. This will make food collection easier while setting you up for future farming opportunities.
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Plan for the Winter: Winters in Clanfolk are brutal, so be sure to stockpile food, materials, and firewood early. A lot of players fall into the trap of under-preparing!
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Pay Attention to Traits: Now that villagers have distinct personalities, take their strengths and weaknesses into account when assigning tasks. It’s a small adjustment that pays off in efficiency.
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Balance the Work and Fun: Villagers need downtime too! Keeping them happy with balanced work and leisure time ensures they stay productive and less prone to conflicts.
With all this coming to life in the latest update, Clanfolk is the warm, meditative village sim you’ll want to settle into—just make sure Granny’s been fed before the snows roll in.
