Let me start off by saying I really like this game. The attention to detail and the feel of the game is great! Watching the foundation being laid, the floor timbers put down etc. when constructing a building is quite unique for this style of game and a big plus in my book. Add to that the builders going to pick up a cart, load it with building materials piece by piece, drag it to the construction site, then unload it piece by piece and finally return the cart to where they picked it up is almost mesmerising to watch! Again, great care and attention to detail has obviously gone into creating this game. I'm also a big fan of the implementation of seasons (again, the detail that's gone into it is fantastic! From the way there's only a small dusting of snow under the awnings of a building, to the way the villagers change into winter clothes if you provide them with a stall selling it; The game oozes of the deft and loving hand that is creating it). However; In its current state the game is really quite bare bones. There's just not a lot to do after having provided food and shelter for the villagers. Yes, you can grow your village, expand into tanning leather or build a church, but there's really no need. Your villagers are quite content with having varied food and a home, so spending the resources on building something, bar for trading purposes, just feels unnecessary and without any real point. The church especially serves no purpose what so ever in the current build. The fact that I bought this game yesterday and finished playing it (having built almost everything) yesterday evening, should provide a clear indication of just how early in its development the game really is. That said; I have no doubt that the developer will add a lot more content over time and if he/she/they keep up the attention to detail, this game will become fantastic! Buy it to support the developer's vision and help them make a great game, but do not expect much content at this early stage.
I bought this game as a hard copy back in 1999 and the fact that it is still one of the first games I install whenever I buy a new computer should tell you something. There is nothing that compares to this great game and if I would have to choose my favourite game ever, this would be it. I still play it to this day. I could go into all the fantastic mods made for it (and still being made for it), but even if you don't mod it, it still stands strong in its own right. I cannot recommend this game enough. Buy it at a sale or buy it at full price, but do yourself a favour and buy it. It is a superb blend of tactics, strategy and RPG with which all other such games should be compared. It is the gold standard. I ensure you that you will not be disappointed with your stay in Arulco, but just remember the sage advice of Ivan Dolvich: "Keep head to dirt."
