Old World

Old World (2022) is a strategy game about developing a civilisation through the ancient ages of humanity's existence. Play involves exploring the world, marrying for politics, raising your heirs, and managing your relationship with the families of your kingdom. The world and existing structures differ each time you restart, but the real draw is going deep in one time period rather than rushing to develop to a supposed pinnacle of progress.

---

Set in the ancient Mediterranean, you play a leader striving for total control. Each leader's society offers different bonuses and penalties, based on their real historical traits, so you need to develop different strategies for each one. Unlike other civilisation games, you play in one time period, enabling you to see how characters develop and age with time. In this way, you choose how you want to expand your influence, be it through military domination, trade or diplomacy.

As you progress, you learn more about the world and how you can affect it. Success requires this deep understanding of the evolving lore but also your ability to adapt to the scenarios you encounter. If things get too challenging, you can opt for a different leader with more resources and power. For example, the Egyptian pharaoh beings with additional resources and money accurate to the period. You can also play with friends in countless multiplayer modes — from hot seat, to asynchronous, to cloud play.

It's a unique take on the genre while adding on the ability to play as different leaders and expand in new ways, enabling unique strategies that don't simply rely on battles and wars. It can be challenging to grasp all the character's intentions, but it's exactly that reason that makes the game so rewarding.

---

Our examiner, Will Oster, first checked Old World 5 weeks ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 4 weeks ago.