Gameplay in Clockwork Empires is comparable to what gamers would expect if The Sims made a baby with Minecraft. Surviving and populating new colonies is the main objective in Clockwork Empires, but that's not to say there aren't plenty of surprises awaiting players in these unexplored lands. Fishpeople can pop up out of the sea, while allowing colonists to go hungry for too long could lead them to develop a taste for human flesh and end a colony before it ever gets started. Carefully managing resources including food, buildings weapons is important, but it's just as important to insure human resources are well taken care of as well.
Players will need to manage which colonists perform certain tasks. It's important to outfit military units with good weapons, but weapons are also used in hunting. Likewise, some colonists will need to spend time working to build up new homes to attract additional settlers, but some will need to farm and harvest additional resources used to continue building up the colony. Each colonist will come with their own unique personalities that will make them better at performing certain tasks, while players can influence the mood of colonists based on their job or how well the colony is performing as a whole unit. Players also play a big role in the development of the colony and can customize the area down to the floor plans of new buildings.
Clockwork Empires is presented in such a way as to make dark and serious subjects feel lighthearted and fun. There are plenty of humorous moments in the game currently, and the game's graphics further cements the game's entertaining look at colonization. The game still has a level of strategy involved that will offer players a challenge, but it's sometimes difficult not to laugh when a colony fails after the majority of the colonists turn into cannibalistic zombies while the others have been eaten alive. The team behind the game have promised new features will be coming to the game soon, and players can get involved with the game's development thanks to Steam Early Access right now.
Clockwork Empires is a unique game that offers up fun gameplay and plenty of tongue-in-cheek, dark humor that many gamers will appreciate. Surviving in this simulation title is only half the fun, as players will find managing to build a failed colony almost as entertaining as building up a successful empire. There are still many months between now and the game's full release, but fans can access an early build of the game right now and help in the development of Dungeons of Dredmor's successor in Clockwork Empires starting today!
Clockwork Empires is now available exclusively for Steam Early Access and can be purchased for $29.99. For more information on the game, check out the official Clockwork Empires website.
Game Features:
- Single Player
- Steam Early Access Content
- Fully Customizable Buildings
- Fishpeople, Cannibalism and Other Surprises
- Achievement Support
Game Information:
Developer & Publisher: Gaslamp Games
Available exclusively for PC (previewed)
Release Date: August 15, 2014 (beta)