Old World (video game)

Old World is a historical turn-based strategy 4X video game developed by Mohawk Games for Microsoft Windows and macOS, released on July 1, 2021, and for Steam and GOG alongside Linux support on May 19, 2022.

Old World
Developer(s)Mohawk Games
Publisher(s)Hooded Horse
Designer(s)Soren Johnson
Platform(s)Windows
macOS
Linux
ReleaseWindows, macOS
July 1, 2021
Linux
May 19, 2022
Genre(s)Turn-based strategy, 4X
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

edit

Old World is a historical turn-based strategy game set in the ancient and classical eras with gameplay comparable to other 4X games such as the Civilization series. It also incorporates dynasty simulation and narrative elements reminiscent of the Crusader Kings series.[1][2][3][4] In Old World, the nations' leaders age and die, and an heir must be ready to step up. Leaders develop traits based on their education and the choices made in the game. The leader can give only a limited amount of orders each round, so while a large army will require multiple orders to move, a single unit can perform multiple orders until it is exhausted.

Development

edit

Old World is the second game developed by American[5] studio Mohawk Games, which was founded in 2013 and also developed Offworld Trading Company. The studio is led by CEO Leyla Johnson, and the game was designed by Soren Johnson, who had previously served as the lead designer for Civilization IV.[1][2][3][4] Johnson considered a game that covered 6,000 years of world history both a blessing and a curse, and instead focused Old World on the earliest eras of civilization.[6]

Initially the game was known as 10 Crowns and was to be published by Starbreeze, but during a restructuring of Starbreeze, publishing rights were sold back, and the game was renamed and published through Epic Games Store.[7]

On April 28, 2020, Mohawk Games announced the game would be released on Early Access on May 5, 2020, via the Epic Games Store.[8] The game was released on July 1, 2021. [6] It was later announced that Hooded Horse would publish the game, with Steam and GOG versions releasing on May 19, 2022.[9]

Reception

edit

Old World received "generally favorable" reviews, according to aggregate review website Metacritic.[10]

Leana Hafer of IGN wrote "Old World is a smaller-scale 4X game than its Civilization forebears but its new ideas add both interesting depth and intimidating complexity," awarding the game an 8/10.[11] PC Gamer named Old World the best strategy game of 2021.[12]

Old World's soundtrack by Christopher Tin was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media.[13]

Old World was among the top three best-selling games that were released in 2022 at GOG.com.[14]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Crowley, Nate (April 14, 2020). "Preview: shape nations and annoy kings in Old World, the new 4X from Civ 4's Soren Johnson". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Campbell, Colin (April 14, 2020). "Old World takes a more human look at grand, historical strategy". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Plunkett, Luke (April 15, 2020). "Old World Is Teaching Strategy Games Some New Tricks". Kotaku. Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Fenlon, Wes (April 14, 2020). "Ancient history's wild stories play out in Old World, an ambitious strategy game from the designer of Civ 4". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  5. ^ "Mohawk Games". Twitter. Archived from the original on May 23, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Robinson, Joe (June 9, 2021). "Old World is a 4X game for people who think Civilization is too long - Not quite the story of humankind, but it's a story that focuses on the moments, not the journey". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  7. ^ Fenlon, Wes (April 14, 2020). "Civ designer's strategy game 10 Crowns is now called Old World, and it's coming to early access soon". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  8. ^ O'Connor, Alice (April 28, 2020). "Offworld Trading Company devs launching Old World into early access in May". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on May 3, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  9. ^ "Strategy game 'Old World' comes to Steam and GOG on May 19 with Linux support". GamingOnLinux. April 12, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Old World for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  11. ^ Old World Review - IGN, July 14, 2021, archived from the original on August 17, 2021, retrieved August 17, 2021
  12. ^ Brown, Fraser (December 22, 2021), "Best Strategy 2021: Old World", PC Gamer, archived from the original on December 22, 2021, retrieved December 22, 2021
  13. ^ "2023 GRAMMY Nominations". Recording Academy. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  14. ^ "How many games we released, which were your favorites, how long you spent playing and more– check out GOG numbers for 2022!". GOG.com. CD Projekt. January 25, 2023. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
edit