Paradox, the publisher behind Cities Skylines 2 and Crusader Kings, has unveiled a new strategy simulation game called Millenia. This game, developed by C Prompt Games, aims to challenge the dominance of titles like Civilization and Age of Empires by offering a deep and flexible strategic experience that covers technology, economics, military tactics, and victory conditions. In an exclusive interview with PCGamesN at Gamescom, C Prompt Games shared details about Millenia.
One common issue in strategy games like Civilization and Stellaris is that, after playing through them multiple times, strategies and paths to victory can become repetitive and fixed. Players tend to know the strengths of various nations or factions, the optimal early-game decisions, and the best victory conditions for their chosen civilization. Millenia seeks to address these concerns with its unique approach, starting with its central pillars.
In Millenia, the progression of ages and eras is not predetermined. Depending on specific in-game conditions, players can trigger different eras that significantly alter available technologies, challenges, and potential victory paths. Some of these eras are rooted in reality, like the Age of Plague, which can be triggered by poor hygiene and health management, or the Age of Blood, brought on by constant warfare.
Other eras delve into alternate history and fantasy, such as the Steampunk Age or the Age of Robot Overlords. The first player to meet the necessary conditions for an era influences the entire game world, dragging other players into that era with them.
For instance, if a civilization neglects healthcare, it could lead to a worldwide outbreak of the Age of Plague. Millenia features two types of ages: variant ages and crisis ages. While crisis ages may present more challenges, they can also offer strategic opportunities. These ages separate technology into distinct buckets, defined by each era, which creates a unique and unpredictable blend of historical and fantastical elements, making each game different from the outset.
According to designer Ben Friedman, “The ages separate technology from a linear tech tree into buckets of content defined by each age. You’ll see ages like steampunk, Age of Blood, alchemy, the robot overlord stage. You’re not really sure how the game is going to go from the outset. Some of these are kind of framed as downsides, but if you’re strategically minded, you can see what those crises are and adapt to fit that.”
Millenia also features a highly flexible economy. Unlike some strategy games where your starting location and initial resources dictate the entire game, Millenia allows players to transform raw materials into various products and properties. Even if you lack certain resources compared to your rivals, it doesn’t necessarily put you at a disadvantage. The game’s economy includes diverse goods chains and improvements, providing players with deep and rich strategic choices. Territory-based resources do not constrain regions to specific roles, and players can adapt their economies based on available resources and research.
Your civilization’s identity in Millenia is equally flexible. Instead of being locked into a fixed set of abilities and traits, you have the freedom to shape your culture according to your preferences. Even if you’re playing as a historically strong economic nation, you can choose to pursue other paths, such as becoming a bloodthirsty warmonger or a trader. This flexibility ensures that you’re not penalized for choices made early in the game, promoting adaptability as a core gameplay element.
Victory conditions in Millenia are also adaptable. While there are some predefined conditions, each era presents unique opportunities for victory, provided your civilization is appropriately prepared. This eliminates the predictability found in some strategy games, encouraging players to continuously adapt and adjust their strategies.
Ben Friedman explains, “Destroying everyone’s regions ends the game. But some of the ages are victory ages, where there are specific rules that can lead to a victory condition. We have religious victories, diplomatic victories, science victories that are built into these ages, so as you’re picking the timeline, you’re going to want to push towards a victory you’re suited for.”
In summary, Millenia aims to redefine the strategy game genre by offering a responsive and adaptive experience to players. It introduces a dynamic timeline, diverse ages and crises, flexible armies and economies, a non-linear technology tree, and multiple victory conditions. By blending real history, alternate history, and fantasy elements, Millenia promises to provide a fresh and unique strategy gaming experience. While the release date has yet to be confirmed, it’s clear that Millenia is a game to keep an eye on for strategy enthusiasts.