Old World is a revolutionary new historical strategy game where you lead your dynasty over generations of rule against rival kings and queens. Wage massive wars, manage your court, and build a dynasty — or watch your empire crumble to dust. What legacy will you leave behind?
Players have a limited number of "Orders" to distribute across their units and actions each turn. This forces you to carefully prioritize how you use this scarce resource, creating a constant need to strategize and make tough choices.
Instead of a linear technology tree, the game presents you with a randomized selection of advancements to choose from each turn. This unpredictable system adds an element of replayability, as the optimal technology path is not always clear.
Cultivating your court, balancing family alliances and rivalries, and ensuring a smooth succession of rulers are core gameplay pillars. Decisions about marriages, heirs, and court intrigue have long-lasting impacts on the strength and stability of your civilization.
The game features a wide array of military units, each with unique tactical abilities. For example, Axemen can attack multiple adjacent enemies, while Chariots can rout entire formations. Carefully coordinating these unit types is crucial for victory.
Scouting allows you to gather valuable resources and uncover hidden ruins and artifacts across the map. Strategically placing your scout units is essential for expanding your civilization's reach and uncovering key strategic advantages.
Many reviewers praise the game's AI opponents as being more challenging and strategically adept than in other 4X titles. The AI demonstrates strong military tactics and decision-making, posing a formidable challenge for players.
The game is filled with a vast number of unique, narrative-driven events that can significantly impact the course of the game. These events add an element of unpredictability and depth to the gameplay, keeping each campaign fresh and engaging.
The game offers a high degree of customization and modding potential. Players can choose from various pre-designed scenarios or create their own custom maps and civilizations. This flexibility adds tremendous replayability to the experience.