Dynasty of the Sands

Dynasty of the Sands is a cross between a city builder and a survival game set in the ancient era. It was developed by indie studio Rocket Flair and tasks us with building a mighty Egyptian state in a dynamic open world.

Plot

We play as a pharaoh leading a fledgling civilization, starting off with sandy settlements, ending with golden cities. To succeed we must develop laws, learn our people's needs, meet the gods' demands and adapt to Egypt's forces of nature.

Mechanics

Dynasty of the Sands proves there's no ruler without subjects. The game focuses on the people's needs - the pharaoh must provide them with water, food, shelter and entertainment to gain their approval. Each citizen has their own individual dreams and goals they must meet to be satisfied.

Gods also heavily influence our civilization, interfering with the world. Erecting statues, temples or pyramids in their honor provides us with special upgrades raising our country's technological level. Refusal to make offerings or meet their demands may have severe consequences. The bravest rulers may even challenge the gods and become a deity themselves.

Apart from maneuvering between the needs of humans and gods, we must also properly manage resources and develop our civilization. As our population grows, we must start producing new resources needed to build bridges, decorative gardens and roads. Most of the buildings in Dynasty of the Sands are upgradeable up to level six, but the player must also face threats such as hunger, diseases and the forces of nature.

The game features a system simulating periods of growth, harvest and flooding, which correspond to the Nile's behavior. The Egyptian river is a mighty force, capable of fertilizing our land or destroying unharvested crops, therefore we must adapt to its whims.