Paradox Interactive, the studio behind acclaimed grand strategy titles like Crusader Kings III and Hearts of Iron IV, has officially announced Afterworld. This new game ventures into a non-historical setting for the first time in a decade, focusing on a post-apocalyptic North America where various wasteland tribes vie for dominance. Game director Dan Lind described the setting as one they built and then destroyed before the game begins, with remnants of the old world discoverable by players.
Afterworld distinguishes itself from the retrofuturistic aesthetic of franchises like Fallout. Instead, its tone appears to draw inspiration from games such as Frostpunk and Zephon, incorporating elements reminiscent of Mad Max. Players will face culture-defining choices, like whether to educate the tribe's children, and logistical challenges, such as establishing supply lines with remote resources. The game will feature unique tribes, such as the fictional 'Rustguzzlers of Golgotha'.
Players begin by selecting an origin, prologue, and formative 'Traumas' that shape their starting resources and priorities. One example provided is the 'Shelterfolk,' a group of Vault Dweller-like survivors who may have resorted to cannibalism and are susceptible to demagoguery. The initial settlement phase involves gathering essential resources like food, water, and fuel, but relocation is often necessary due to threats and resource scarcity. The expansive world map is segmented into regions shrouded in fog of war, which can be claimed as territories.
Exploration can uncover 'Ideas' that unlock new technologies for research. For instance, crossing a river might inspire the concept of irrigation. Players can also discover pre-Fall technologies that offer significant advantages. The potential for nuclear weapons remains, with the press release hinting that the same power that ended the old world could end the new one. The exact nature of the world's end is not entirely clear, but the landscape is not as heavily cratered as in Fallout's depiction of America.
Beyond resource management and expansion, Afterworld emphasizes the cultivation of a tribe's social fabric. This includes developing customs, beliefs, political systems, and laws. Players can implement decisions like establishing town hall democracy, banning alcohol, organizing youth into work crews, or outlawing slavery, all while navigating external societal influences. Named characters within the tribe possess distinct stats and can lead war parties or hold office.
A significant feature highlighted is the religion system. Players can define orthodox philosophies, such as a 'nuclear ecclesia,' and designate others as false or wicked. However, the populace has agency, potentially splitting into groups of believers and doubters. Diplomatic and trade interactions can be complicated by clashing values and mythologies between different tribes. The game aims for a deep simulation of tribal interactions and belief systems.
The ultimate objective is to unite all tribes under a single banner and establish a new empire, which exponentially increases resource and supply challenges. However, there may be an option to play as a smaller warband, content with paying tribute to an NPC overlord.
Afterworld is described as having a lot of depth, showcasing Paradox's strategic gameplay foundations with a post-apocalyptic twist. The game will include co-op and PvP multiplayer modes. A release date has not yet been specified, beyond a general 'coming soon' window. A more in-depth preview and an interview with Paradox are expected in the future.