Whether you've an avid fan of the more recent city building sims like SimCity or Cities: Skylines or more into SimCity 2000, you've never really had to employ much strategy. Working as more an exercise in creative freedom, Kalypso Media have decided to bring a little more tactical planning to the genre with Urban Empire.
Taking control of a city through 1 of 5 playable characters across 4 different families, Urban Empire challenges you to execute carefully planned political strategies to blackmail the opposition to eventually build and rule the city of your dreams.
With a long heritage under your wing, it'll be your job to ensure your successors can keep a steady grasp of your metropolis over the course of the game's 200 year lifespan. Take part in council meetings and voting sessions, build upon or create new infrastructures and create a city for the people - or simply for yourself.
If you're more into the relaxing type of city builder, try your hand at Cities: Skylines instead
Judging from the new trailer, Urban Empire will play similarly to classic RTS titles with branching traits dipping into things like improved water supplies, research into hydrualics and communication advancements. Whether you fend off things like water pollution or focus lining your own pocket seems completely up to you.
Urban Empire launches January 20 with a 15% discount applying to Steam pre-purchases until the big day.
