Kaiserpunk is a new World War 1 construction game in which you build a city – and conquer the world in the process
One would think that a world war would be the extreme opposite of a building game. After all, it’s mainly about fighting and destruction, so there’s no room for peaceful city building. But the truth is that behind such a large-scale war lies a enormously powerful economy and production that is always running at full speed
In this sense, the idea of the development studio Overseer Games is not as silly as it may sound. In fact, the studio recently announced Kaiserpunk, a new construction game set in an alternative timeline in which the First World War never ended. But that’s not the only special feature: the title also features classic global strategy in real time alongside building strategy. So it will actually be a kind of hybrid of Anno 1800 and Hearts of Iron
What is Kaiserpunk about?
As already mentioned, Kaiserpunk is set on Earth, but in an alternative, historical version of it. Here, the First World War has virtually become the norm and the whole world is in a permanent state of conflict.
In the midst of this chaos, you found your own city-state. This will be the settlement that you then build from the ground up in typical Anno fashion. As the game is set in the 20th century, the buildings look appropriate to their era. Above all, however, from the very first minute of the game you will rely on efficient factories, which form the economic foundation of your military operations.
Efficiency and production are your best friends in this time of crisis. Because in order not to lose out in the Great War, you need an almost endless supply of weapons, tanks and ammunition. Your task is to place production buildings and goods depots to ensure that there is always enough available.
According to the studio, this should result in huge chains of goods that link resources and goods from the beginning of the game with those towards the end.
What makes Kaiserpunk special?
In this respect, Kaiserpunk is a typical building game with a rather atypical setting. But things only get really wild when you venture onto the world map. This is where a good portion of global strategy is added
Occasionally take a look at the strategy map, where the entire world has been divided into over a hundred different regions. These regions are the central point of contention for various major powers, who are vying with you for control.
You can use the resources you have earned to build up armies and conquer regions. This allows you to take over entire continents and gain access to new resources. You will also be able to conduct diplomatic negotiations or even experience small stories, such as when a rebellion breaks out in a neighboring state for which you are held responsible.
Kaiserpunk does not yet have a specific date. However, the team expects the game to be released next year
Conclusion of the editorial team
World war and building strategy? Never thought that would go well together. But I like the vision behind Kaiserpunk. Especially as we will most likely never get an Anno in the 20th century. After all, the sum of 9 cannot be formed from dates between 1900 and 1999! But I like the cityscapes from this period and I’m already enjoying the little vintage cars next to the houses in Kaiserpunk. Will the whole thing work in combination with global strategy? I haven’t the faintest idea! At the moment, this area still looks a bit flat.
