Old World
10 Crowns
Release Date: July 1, 2021
Strategy, turn-based, 4X, ancient history, indie games, co-op, historical, multiplayer, singleplayer, hot seat, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
A turn-based 4X strategy inspired by the Sid Meier's Civilization series, in which we lead an ancient dynasty and try to make the country ruled by it a world powerhouse. The main designer of Old World is Soren Johnson, who also designed Civilization IV.
Old World is a turn-based 4X strategy in which we take control of the ancient state and try to turn it into a real empire. The game, initially known as 10 Crowns, was developed by the independent studio Mohawk Games. Its chief designer was Soren Johnson, who previously held the same position with games such as Offworld Trading Company and Sid Meier's Civilization V.
Mechanics
Most of the time in Old World we spend on a hexagonal map of the world. The game is played in turn-based mode, and as one turn means one year in the game world, during the game we do not play as a single ruler, but take control of an entire dynasty that strengthens its position from generation to generation. The condition for victory is the fulfilment of ten so-called Ambitions, i.e. the special tasks set for the dynasty. They are generated procedurally, based on our previous achievements, the personality of the current character, as well as the events in which we have to participate. There are more than a thousand of them, inspired by events known from the pages of ancient history; the events often create a domino effect (one causes another, this in turn is the cause of another and so on). As in the Civilization series, it is also possible to achieve a point victory, occurring here in two ways: gaining more points after a certain number of turns or collecting twice as many points as any other nation.
During the game, we build and expand cities (together with the adjacent rural areas), constructing various buildings, among which the world's wonders, sanctuaries, amphitheatres and garrisons are leading. How many actions we can perform in a one turn is determined by a system of commands, the number of which can be increased by gaining a legitimacy (and thus - strengthening our position on the throne). This applies both to the constructing of buildings, taking part in events and conducting diplomatic activities, as well as make war.
Of course, for all this we need raw materials such as food, wood, stone and iron, which we obtain ourselves or buy by trade. Interestingly, the developers have implemented here a system known from the game Offworld Trading Company, which makes sure that prices on the market fluctuate depending on demand and supply. Moreover, an important role in Old World is played by the development of technology, which is based on mechanics borrowed from card games. As we progress, we are building a deck of cards related to specific technological discoveries, which leads to difficult choices about which research to reject at a given moment and which to prioritise.
Technical aspects
The graphic design of Old World does not differ too much from the level known from many other 4X strategies. The game was maintained in a style reminiscent of the fifth part of Sid Meier's Civilization series.
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Videos and Screens
[1:00] Old World Old World - Behind the Throne DLC Trailer
[1:09] Old World Pharaohs of the Nile DLC trailer
Vamers: by Edward Swardt
Old World: Heroes of the Aegean marks the game’s debut on Steam, and it rightfully earns a spot on many favourites lists. It is truly unlike most 4X games currently available, and adequately serves to raise an already high bar. While the game can do with a bit more tutorialisation, there are enough pop-ups and explanations for adventurers to being their journey. Immersion is a massive focal point and the inclusion of supremely detailed stories and scenarios truly levels up the experience beyond what even the developers may have intended. It truly is an exceptional title, one worthy of taking the title as the king of 4X games.
Cultured Vultures: 6.5 / 10 by Maxim Klose-Ivanov
While the game has interesting concepts and ideas, some odd design choices and an atrocious tutorial hamper Old World's ambition.
PC Gamer: 87 / 100 by Fraser Brown
A clever spiritual successor to Civilization full of both novelties and big ideas.
The main pros of the game
- Innovative Mechanics: The Orders system creates a unique gameplay experience where players must prioritize actions each turn, adding depth and strategy.
- Strong AI: The AI is competent and tactical, making combat and diplomacy challenging and engaging.
- Rich Event System: The game features a vast number of events that add narrative depth and variety to gameplay, enhancing immersion.
- Dynasty Management: The game incorporates a family and court system that allows for complex character interactions and strategic decision-making.
- Art and Music: The game has been praised for its art style and soundtrack, contributing to an immersive atmosphere.
- Active Development: The developers are committed to patching and improving the game, which is appreciated by the community.
The main cons of the game
- AI Cheating: Some players feel that the AI has unfair advantages, such as excessive shields and troop movements, leading to frustration during combat.
- Order System Limitations: The Orders system can feel restrictive, making it difficult to execute multiple strategies in one turn, especially during warfare.
- Negative Events: Many events in the game are perceived as overwhelmingly negative, leading to a feeling of constant struggle and frustration.
- Pacing Issues: Some players find the game slow, particularly in the late game, where turns can feel drawn out and tedious.
- Technical Issues: Reports of crashes and performance issues, particularly on certain hardware configurations, have been noted.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Better Balancing: Some users feel that certain nations are significantly stronger than others, suggesting a need for better balance.
- Improved Diplomacy Options: Players desire a more robust and less punitive diplomatic system, where alliances feel more meaningful and stable.
- Expanded Map and Settlement Options: Feedback indicates a desire for larger maps and more opportunities for city settlements, as current maps can feel cramped.
- More Control Over Character Management: Some players want greater agency in managing their characters and families, feeling that the current system can be too random or restrictive.
- Enhanced UI and User Experience: Several reviews mention that the user interface is cumbersome and could use improvements for better accessibility and ease of navigation.
Summary
- Overall, while "Old World" has garnered significant praise for its innovative mechanics and depth, it also faces criticism regarding balance, pacing, and technical issues.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 65 votes. 90 players anticipated the game.
Old World Summary
Early Access:May 5, 2020
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Mohawk Games
Publisher: Hooded Horse
Age restrictions: 12+
Old World System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3-4570 3.2 GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 750 or better, 10 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-8600K 3.6 GHz / AMD Ryzen 7 1700X 3.4 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1060 / 8 GB Radeon R9 390X or better, 10 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
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