Paradox Development Studio has unveiled Afterworld, a new grand strategy franchise set in a post-apocalyptic North America. This marks Paradox's first new grand strategy IP since 2019's Imperator: Rome. The game combines real-time strategy and grand strategy mechanics, tasking players with rebuilding civilization from the ashes of a vaguely defined cataclysm.
The preview build, described as exceptionally early, showcased the core premise of settling the wasteland, interacting with rival factions, and managing internal conflicts. Players begin by selecting an origin for their starting group of survivors, with the Shelterborn origin—akin to Fallout's Vault Dwellers—being available in the preview. The circumstances of leaving the shelter are determined by a choose-your-own-adventure sequence, influencing the society's traditions, values, and customs, ranging from those seeking to restore Old America to extreme cannibals.
Traditions function as a band's base stats, affecting aspects of post-apocalyptic state-building like survival and hearthkeeping. Values represent ideological leanings, such as Reclamation, which focuses on rebuilding America, or Wanderlust, which favors a nomadic lifestyle. Customs are narrative elements that explain the origin of traditions and values, and can be acquired over time through accumulating pride or developing traumas from negative events.
Integrating more bands into your society is crucial for acquiring labor to gather resources, develop industries, and wage war. This process can lead to the establishment of a government structure, with bands potentially divided into ruling elites, citizens, an underclass, or even slaves, depending on the player's chosen values. During exploration, players' rangers navigate devastated provinces, facing threats like radiation, hostile clans, rogue drones, mutants, and competing tribes. The game's lore suggests a cataclysm occurring after 2026, allowing for the rediscovery of advanced technologies like nanotech and combat mechs.
A significant element of the wasteland are the Ancients, the last survivors of the pre-fall world who have found ways to prolong their lives and pursue unique 'destinies.' The preview mentioned Farouk the American, who aims to restore the United States, and Lily of the Parks, focused on reversing ecological devastation. Players may face ultimatums from these powerful figures, with options to become subjects or resist, though early-game resistance is presented as difficult.
Afterworld features a complex web of interconnected systems typical of Paradox titles, including exploration with ranger teams, equipping armies with wasteland-appropriate vehicles, and managing supply lines. While the preview build was noted as being rough around the edges and in need of significant polish and balancing, the game's premise and the potential for diverse societal development, such as forming an anarcho-primitivist pagan warrior cult, offer an enticing proposition for fans of grand strategy games. Developers indicated that the early preview was intended to gather feedback while systems are still malleable.