Old World

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,255 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Old World Game Cover
A clever spiritual successor to Civilization full of both novelties and big ideas.
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Old World is an epic, historical turn-based strategy game. Set in the classical era, Old World gives players the chance to not just build an empire but to found the greatest dynasty of its age.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,255 reviews
gameplay290 positive mentions
optimization32 negative mentions
  • Old World elevates the 4X gameplay experience with its unique orders system, allowing for more strategic decision-making and resource management.
  • The character and dynasty mechanics add depth and narrative to the gameplay, making each playthrough feel distinct and engaging.
  • The AI is competent and challenging, providing a more dynamic and rewarding experience compared to other 4X games.
  • The game can become tedious with excessive micromanagement, especially in the late game when managing multiple cities and characters.
  • Some players find the UI cluttered and difficult to navigate, making it hard to keep track of important information and events.
  • Performance issues, particularly lag in the late game, can detract from the overall experience, making it frustrating to play.
  • gameplay1,096 mentions

    The gameplay of "Old World" is characterized by its innovative mechanics that blend traditional 4X elements with role-playing aspects reminiscent of "Crusader Kings." The introduction of the orders system, which limits player actions per turn, encourages strategic decision-making and prioritization, while the character and dynasty mechanics add depth and narrative richness to the experience. However, the complexity of these systems can be overwhelming for new players, and some mechanics may feel underdeveloped or frustrating, leading to mixed opinions on the overall gameplay experience.

    • “Old World is the most interesting 4X game that I've played as it doesn't just copy features and mechanics from other games; instead, it considers whether: a) the mechanic is fun; and b) whether it leads to interesting decisions.”
    • “The orders system, characters+families, and an actually interesting treatment of religion without turning it into a proselytizing spamfest, are all fascinating mechanics.”
    • “The core mechanics of resource management, building, and commanding your units are strongly intertwined and reward thoughtful and strategic gameplay.”
    • “Its a horrible mechanic and utterly ruins the game.”
    • “Overall too much RNG, too gamey mechanics, way too much stupid dynastic stuff unrelated to game flow, but based on RNG.”
    • “I don't know maybe there's a fun game in there somewhere, but you have to spend so much time getting to know arbitrary and unintuitive game mechanics that it doesn't seem worth it.”
  • story338 mentions

    The game's story is praised for its depth and engagement, featuring over 3000 unique events that create a rich narrative experience intertwined with gameplay. Players appreciate the character-driven elements and dynasty mechanics, which add personal stakes and emergent storytelling, making each playthrough feel unique. However, some critiques highlight that the story can feel disjointed at times, lacking a cohesive narrative thread compared to other titles in the genre.

    • “The narrative of the game balances nicely with the play, giving a player a rich story to interact with as you play.”
    • “This game is amazing, the strategic depth of your actions + a story-driven historical evolution and a very competent AI makes this game a blast to play and gets very addictive.”
    • “The event system, combined with the characters and dynasties, as well as the smaller time and geography scale, make for a layer of storytelling that Civ doesn't have.”
    • “This is the most unfeeling, unemotional, non-immersive text I've ever seen in a game that imagines itself as one to tell a story.”
    • “Maybe I'm missing something, but I just couldn't get invested in any aspect of the 'story' or role-playing elements of this one.”
    • “The storytelling in Old World does not draw a true memorable line through the game; it's more like a series of events which sometimes follow in small stories.”
  • music310 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its atmospheric quality and diverse influences, including contributions from notable composers like Christopher Tin and Philip Glass. While some players find the soundtrack to be immersive and evocative of the game's ancient setting, others criticize certain tracks as bland or amateurish. Overall, the music is often highlighted as a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience, though players have the option to disable it if they prefer.

    • “The music score is simply awesome: Bulgarian chanting, Syrian folk music, and modern composers.”
    • “The cherry on top of it all is a truly amazing soundtrack by Christopher Tin that really evokes the theme of the era well.”
    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal and the sound design overall is pretty tight.”
    • “Blandness of music - most of the soundtrack is very amateurish, and a specific example of this is the Agni Parthene execution they have here - it's just horrible.”
    • “Worst main menu music I've ever heard in my life.”
    • “Musically, the game is boring with a number of pieces of music lacking flair or blending in well with one another.”
  • graphics268 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful artwork and atmospheric visuals, while others criticize the outdated and sometimes muddy graphical fidelity. Many users note that while the graphics are generally appealing, they can be difficult to interpret, especially in terms of UI clarity and distinguishing between different elements on the map. Overall, the visuals are considered decent for a 4X strategy game, but they do not reach the high standards set by competitors like the Civilization series.

    • “Visuals are strong, music is good, the event art is fantastic.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the game runs well, only starting to slow down on giant maps and once cities get sprawling and established.”
    • “The performance is excellent, the graphics are great, the immersion is there, the music is on another level only rivaled by Imperium Greek Wars in my opinion.”
    • “Honestly, some of the artworks from this game, especially the ones from the 'main characters', seem to have been generated by some AI.”
    • “I think my only major complaint is that the art style is just a muddy mess - it can be difficult to tell what is what - silhouettes aren't a great help here.”
    • “The graphics aren't as good as either Civ or CK games.”
  • optimization172 mentions

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, particularly in the late game and on larger maps. While some users have noted improvements following updates, the overall consensus is that the game remains a performance hog, often resulting in low frame rates and long loading times, even on high-end systems. Many recommend waiting for further optimization before fully engaging with the game.

    • “Performance has been very good on my five-year-old system (RTX 2060, 16GB RAM, SSD, i7-8750H), and the graphics & art style look great.”
    • “Optimization then naturally follows, and it feels very rewarding as things begin to 'click'.”
    • “Performance has been dramatically improved, and the new scenarios are very fun to play.”
    • “Optimization is awful; on a medium map and medium-low settings, starting from mid-game I have 15-25 fps on RTX 3060.”
    • “The thing is, it suffers from serious performance issues.”
    • “This game has serious performance issues that take a lot away from what would otherwise be a pretty enjoyable experience.”
  • replayability110 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits high replayability, with many players praising its diverse characters, impactful events, and customizable gameplay options that keep each playthrough fresh and engaging. While some critiques mention limited replay value after several sessions and issues with certain mechanics, the majority highlight the game's depth, strategic complexity, and the variety of factions and leaders as key factors that enhance its replayability. Despite some concerns about the learning curve and occasional performance issues, many find it to be one of the most replayable titles in the genre.

    • “Tons of replayability as every game is different.”
    • “The replayability and depth is enhanced through its incredibly detailed adjustable gameplay conditions and maps.”
    • “Excellent game, great depth, interesting and complex mechanics, high replayability factor, atmospheric music.”
    • “The tech line is short, and the replayability dies out after about 4 to 5 playthroughs.”
    • “Replayability is an issue, sadly.”
    • “Diplomacy is bad and boring, family management is bad and boring, and the replayability appears quite limited in terms of interest.”
  • grinding106 mentions

    The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium associated with grinding in the game, particularly in the mid to late game where micromanagement becomes excessive and gameplay slows down significantly. Players express frustration with the repetitive nature of warfare and the overwhelming management of large empires, leading to a feeling of boredom rather than engagement. While some appreciate the strategic depth and streamlined mechanics compared to other 4X games, many find the overall experience tedious and unfulfilling, especially during prolonged play sessions.

    • “Combat is the right balance of being challenging but not tedious, so it's not stupid like some 4X games or too easy like in Civ VI.”
    • “If you like war games, it's probably not tedious, but I just get bored of not being able to mass-move my armies.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding down a nearby tribe to seize loads of them so you can expand is the vast majority of the mid game.”
    • “It's a Civ game that never advances beyond a certain point and then it's a tedious end-game.”
    • “The most tedious part of it was warfare.”
  • stability40 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent crashes, freezes, and glitches, particularly on high-end PCs. However, others report a stable experience with minimal bugs, especially on specific systems like the MacBook Pro M1. Overall, while some users find the game promising and relatively bug-free, many others highlight significant stability issues that detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “I took a punt on the game after it popped up in the store, I'm very happy with the game; it's stable and seems bug-free.”
    • “So far, it runs great on a PC built around 2019, and bugs are being addressed regularly.”
    • “I will end with how impressed I have been with how stable and bug-free it is since the release on GOG and Steam.”
    • “Freezes and shutdowns randomly on high-end PC.”
    • “Well, as others have mentioned, the game is super glitchy and buggy; you can expect it to crash completely within about 2 hours, and the constant saving and reloading is a pain.”
    • “This game needs to get its lags, freezes, and crashes under control.”
  • atmosphere34 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive blend of ancient historical settings, engaging music, and detailed graphics that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the atmospheric soundtrack, particularly composed by Christopher Tin, and the thoughtful design elements that contribute to a cozy and captivating environment. The combination of well-written events and visual aesthetics effectively transports players into the classical era, making for a rich and engaging gameplay experience.

    • “I am really enjoying this one; a blend of character-driven gameplay (Crusader Kings) and 4X (Civilization) - with a tremendously atmospheric soundtrack done by Christopher Tin!”
    • “The atmosphere is excellent, the music is excellent, and the portrait art looks great even when it gets repetitive, with the 'aging' of the portraits contributing to the legacy feel the game tries (and succeeds) to establish.”
    • “The game is full of surprises and drama, and the graphics are gorgeous and atmospheric.”
    • “From the start, I was excited by the atmosphere and the potential to combine strengths from other 4X games, but in the end - as other players have properly said - it's all about an unfair combat system.”
    • “The events are smartly written and really add to the game's atmosphere, immersing you in the classical era.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lacking and doesn't immerse you in the world as much as I had hoped.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of amusing events and quirky AI decisions, such as the absurdity of losing elite units to poorly executed strategies. Players enjoy the comedic elements of managing relationships and rivalries, particularly when playing as Rome, where the interactions often lead to humorous situations. While the humor is entertaining, it is noted that it may not reach the outrageous levels found in similar games like Crusader Kings.

    • “The feeling of playing as Rome and dealing with rival nations who look upon my glorious empire with envy, advising the lesser forms of life who look to me for guidance in making decisions for their puny lives, watching and laughing as my fool of a first wife gets mad at me for taking on my third wife as if the fool has any say in it; it's just awesome.”
    • “At other times, events are quite humorous and entertaining, especially with the Sacred and Profane DLC.”
    • “Amazing civ-like, the events are hilarious and fun.”
  • character development16 mentions

    Character development is a standout feature in "Old World," where the intricate relationships and growth of court members and aristocratic families significantly influence gameplay. Unlike other strategy games that prioritize cultural or technological advancements, "Old World" emphasizes character interactions, including marriage proposals and archetype development, creating a rich narrative experience. The game effectively combines elements of classic civilization games with a deeper focus on character dynamics, enhancing both strategy and storytelling.

    • “Focusing on a shorter time frame and the character development of your court members is what makes this game shine.”
    • “In comparison to Humankind, where cultural choices are the most important decision to make, and Civilization, where the cultural/technological card system plays a crucial role, Old World's most important tactical element is the character development of many members of your royal court and aristocratic families supporting you (or not).”
    • “As all the reviews stated, I expected a civilization-type game with some character development.”
    • “Marriage proposals, character development, and developing an archetype will dictate how you play.”
    • “Almost like the beginning ancient and classical ages of Civ 5/6 with a detailed version of character development through the formation of dynasties and noble families.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it lacking in depth and immersion, leading to feelings of disappointment after gameplay. While there are moments of emotional investment, particularly in character development and the loss of leaders, the overall narrative fails to provide a rich context that connects players to the story meaningfully. This dichotomy leaves some players feeling that their time was not fully rewarded emotionally.

    • “This really feels like an RPG element which I love; building up your leader is awesome and also heart-wrenching when you lose them.”
    • “But while I wouldn't say the game was a waste of my time, it made me feel like I wasted my time after the official or unofficial conclusion to every game, and those were such bitter pills to swallow that they made me forget all the sweet times in between when things came together properly.”
    • “Another example is the significant emotional investment in armies.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for issues with advertising algorithms, suggesting a lack of effectiveness or relevance. However, players appreciate the usefulness of diplomacy, the randomness of the events system, and the positive impact of the dynasty feature on gameplay.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

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Play time

43hMedian play time
284hAverage play time
13-88hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 42 analyzed playthroughs

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