Citadelum

Release Date: October 17, 2024

Strategy, economic, ancient history, mythology, indie games, ancient Rome, city builder, singleplayer

82%

Steam

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A city builder strategy set in Ancient Rome. In Citadelum our job is to manage one of the Roman cities - we start with a small settlement, hoping to turn it into a metropolis. We must take care of the needs, expand, conquer new territories and even satisfy the deities.

Citadelum is a city builder strategy game that takes us to ancient Rome. The development and release of this game was handled by the independent Spanish studio Abylight, whose previous portfolio mainly consisted of smaller scale projects.

Gameplay

In Citadelum we watch the action from a bird's eye view. During the game we become the ruler of an ancient Roman city, and our task is to transform the initially small settlement into a powerful metropolis capable of facing any challenge.

All issues related to the functioning of the city rest on our shoulders. One of our priorities should be meeting the basic needs of citizens - by cultivating the land and fishing, we provide them with food, while by building aqueducts, we supply them with water. Next, we can focus on the expansion of the city. Natural resources, led by wood and stone, allow us to erect new buildings and improve already built structures. Their purpose is diverse - from production buildings to fortifications, topped with towers and walls.

Our subjects can represent various professions, becoming craftsmen, farmers or soldiers. Having an army is important because the city controlled by us may sooner or later become a target of enemies. Nothing prevents us from expanding our sphere of influence with the help of the military, conquering successive territories. We can then establish trade routes in the new areas, allowing for the import of exotic goods and receiving other profits.

Battles in the game take place automatically, however before each one the game allows us to deploy our units (legionnaires, archers or even cavalry). The initial positioning of our army has a significant impact on the course of the battle and its outcome.

The last of the pillars on which the gameplay is based is the pantheon of deities. The game allows us to pay homage to individual gods and thus curry their favor. It's worth remembering that by gaining the sympathy of one deity, we may incur the wrath of another, which forces us to skillfully navigate the meanders of divine "politics".

Videos and Screens

[1:20] Citadelum - Update 2.0 Features Trailer

[1:23] Citadelum LaunchTrailer

82%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (551)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Nostalgic Appeal: Many players appreciate the game's resemblance to classic city builders like *Caesar III*, *Pharaoh*, and *Zeus: Master of Olympus*, evoking nostalgia for those titles.
Modern Graphics: The game features updated graphics that are visually appealing, providing a fresh look while maintaining the essence of older games.
User-Friendly Mechanics: The mechanics are generally considered easy to learn, making the game accessible to newcomers while still engaging for veterans of the genre.
Engaging God System: The inclusion of gods who can be appeased for benefits adds an interesting layer to gameplay, allowing players to manage divine favor.
Community Content: The game includes a level editor and the potential for user-generated content, which can enhance replayability and variety.

The main cons of the game

Lack of Depth and Challenge: Many reviews mention that the game feels simplistic and lacks the complexity found in older city builders. Players can quickly master the game, leading to a sense of repetitiveness.
Limited Content: The game has a small number of missions and scenarios, which some players feel are too similar and do not offer enough variety or challenge.
Combat Mechanics: The combat system is criticized for being too simplistic and lacking strategic depth, with battles often feeling like "auto-battles" rather than requiring tactical engagement.
Performance Issues: Some players report optimization problems, including high GPU usage and crashes, which can detract from the overall experience.
Monotony in Gameplay: Several players noted that after a few hours, the gameplay can become repetitive, as the same strategies work across different scenarios.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Diverse Missions and Objectives: Users expressed a desire for more varied mission objectives and challenges to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Enhanced Economic Systems: Some players feel that the economic management lacks depth, with no real internal economy or complexity in resource management.
More Interaction and Charm: Many reviews mention the lack of personality and charm compared to classic titles, such as character interactions or unique building designs that would add life to the city.
Strategic Combat Options: Players want more control and strategy in combat, including formations and more meaningful military interactions.
Expanded Building Options: Suggestions include adding more building types and production chains, as well as larger-scale construction projects for endgame content.

Summary

In summary, Citadelum presents a nostalgic experience for fans of classic city builders but falls short in depth, content variety, and strategic gameplay, leading to mixed reviews. Users hope for future updates and expansions to enhance the game's offerings.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024