Players Like...

❤ Faction Diversity and Unique Playstyles

Players laud the wide variety of unique factions, each with their own distinct playstyles and victory conditions. Rather than relying on generic fantasy archetypes, the 8 playable civilizations represent highly original and creative societies. For example, the Necrophages are an insect-like hive-mind, the Allayi are a shape-shifting nomadic tribe, and the Ardent Mages focus on harnessing magical power. Each faction boasts special abilities, units, and quest lines, leading to vastly different gameplay experiences and encouraging replayability as players explore the nuances of the various factions.

❤ City and Regional Management

The game introduces a novel city management system that divides the map into discrete regions, with each region only able to support a single city. This forces players to carefully plan city placement and expansion, as the resources and strategic position of a region can significantly impact its value. Within cities, players assign population to different specialist roles, optimizing production of resources like food, industry, science, and the in-game currency "Dust". This added layer of strategic depth to city development sets the game apart from traditional 4X city-building.

❤ Hero and Unit Customization

Heroes play a central role, serving as either city governors or army commanders. Players can level up these heroes and equip them with various weapons, armor, and other gear, allowing for a high degree of customization and specialization. Similarly, regular military units also benefit from an equipment system that grants them unique abilities and stat boosts. This RPG-like element to the game's combat and tactics adds strategic depth.

❤ Dynamic Seasons and Harsh Winters

One of the game's distinctive features is the presence of two seasons - summer and winter. Winters become progressively harsher over the course of the game, posing significant challenges. Resources may become scarce, movement and combat are impacted, and certain quests can only be completed during specific seasons. This seasonal cycle forces players to adapt their strategies and properly prepare for the harsh winter conditions.

❤ Quests and Faction-Specific Objectives

In addition to standard 4X victory conditions, the game features a robust quest system. Each faction has its own unique questline, providing a faction-specific path to victory. These quests are often complex, multi-stage affairs that can shape a player's entire strategy. Additionally, numerous side quests offer rewards and can influence the development of the player's civilization. The quest system helps to drive the narrative and provide a more engaging, story-driven experience.

❤ Tactical Combat

While combat remains turn-based, the game introduces a more tactical approach compared to traditional 4X games. Players can issue specific orders to their units, such as attack, defend, or hold, and the outcome of battles is heavily influenced by factors like terrain, unit composition, and tactical positioning. This added layer of tactical depth, along with the ability to auto-resolve battles, provides players with more flexibility in how they approach combat.