This is like a modern version of Caesar IV (2006) , which I thought was a great I love historical city builders, and this game scratches the ich. Trade, economy management, production chains, exploration, construction, military battles. It has all the right ingredients for an addictive, enjoyable Roman city builder. Its a small delevoper who made this game, and you can pick it up for a decent price. There is also a Discord channel, where you can ask questions, show off some of your cities and help others along the way. I think its well worth the money if you like Caesar/Banished/Dawn of Man/Tropico/Anno/Stronghold type games.
Not a verified purchase, played it on a rival platform. One of my favorite action open world games of all time, up there with Watchdogs 1, Assassins Creed Black Flag and GTA III. Set in a amazing time period of the 1960's, which you really feel you are in that a part of, The cars, clothes, weapons, the politics of Vietnam, the civil rights movements, moon landings etc. The soundtrack is superb, all the bangers from the 60's which really fitted in with the period. Enjoyable combat, stealth and driving missions. Intuitive gameplay, taking control of parts of the city and all the illegal activities e.g. drugs, gambling, prostitution, black market alcohol etc. Grow and sell your own weed, buy and upgrade all the equipment and seeds, including making your own hybrid strains, and naming them. I knew very little about growing weed before hand, but learning was pretty cool! And the storyline was up there with the Uncharted series and The Last Of Us, cinematic quality. I really watched every cut scene and never skipped a scene. I really wanted to watch all the drama unfold. So dont sleep on this one guys, I cant wait to play the new mafia!
I would say that this is one of the best games I have played (top 20) in the last 30 years. The graphics, storyline and game mechanics are amazing. Its mostly stealth with a lesser amount of combat. There is lots of puzzle solving aswell, interesting characters you meet along you way. The killer rats really add a high level of tension and atmosphere. You play as a young teenage girl, along with her younger brother. You can not go head to head with the enemy soliders, so you need to find solutions in how to defeat them, this is the strategy element. I found the game challenging, I died lots of times. The game is also short and sweet. It took me about just under 50 hours to complete. So it not drag or become repetitive.
I could write a very long review of Caesar IV, but I do not want to bore you, so I will keep it short and sweet. Although the game was made in 2006, it does not feel old and dated. The gameplay, graphics and music are delighftull. Its very challenging, with various different scenarios that have trade, logistical, prosperity, religious and miliatary elements to them. I have played quite a few Roman city builders, and this one is my favorite. And its fairly cheap too. Dont forget to adjust the screen resolution in the options, because the game has been remasterd, and its reaslly shines on a modernish GPU and monitor.
I was glued to my PC for week, and could not stop playing this under the rader, historical city building gem. Not only did I enjoy the gameplay, but I found this game very educational. You progress thousands of years through the different ages of man. Paleothithic, Mesothithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Stone, Bronze, Iron etc, and as your progress through time, starting as hunters and gatherers hunting animals, fishing, picking berries and fruits, and then through the domestication of animals and the argriculture or crops. The technology tree unlocks new ways of making clothes, weapons, tools, mining natural resources, methods how to store, cook and preserve food, various buildings, etc. I enjoyed the military element too. Several times a year, bandits will try to attack your settlement. You must provide the appropriate amour and weapons to your folk, and build various military structures e.g. towers, archer platforms, fortified walls and gates. The more advanced you become, the more your enemy becomes also. You can trade with with visiting merchants (Remember, no money in those days!) The seasons and weather cycle, thus creating a challenging envionment. Its a really fun game, lots to do, very addictive I got at least 40/45 hours from this game. Its better than Banished.....
I love playing historical strategy games and I had never played a Stronghold game before, because I was a console player for many years untill I upgraded to a gaming PC. And its games like these that make me not regret moving on to PC games. This game is in my top 10 of all time. I just really enjoy playing it! It is and can be challenging, but you really have to strategize. You have the city building elements of building castles, houses, plantations, weapons factories etc while gathering resources. Tweaking the tax system, by the more luxuries you provide your peasants and soliders e.g. multiple food stuffs, nice accomodation, clothes, green tea, places of worship etc, the more tax you can charge and the more cash that will roll in. More cash, better armies and castles. You will be building different types of armies, each with strengths and weaknesses. Not only will you be defending your castles, but you will also seiging enemy castles aswell. In this Stronghold you can control local warlords in the map. You can control them by diplomacy or force, your choice. When and if you can control them they can send you valuable resources, materials or provide military forces to assist you. There are lots of missions to complete, some that lean more towards economic or more towards conflict. The seige weapons are really cool aswell, including: Catapults, Trebuchets, Mortars, Ballistas, Fire Oxen, Siege Towers, Fire Arrow Carts and more. I especially love the gunpowder-based weapons. So guys, stop hesitating and buy this game, its very cheap, made by a small British games studio, and if you dont like it, ask GOG for a refund, nothing to lose. Enjoy!
