Kaiserpunk Review: Rebuilding Society in a Post-Apocalyptic World
Kaiserpunk presents an intriguing premise: a world devastated by an extended World War I, leaving survivors to rebuild society in a post-apocalyptic setting. As a city builder with a 1920s vibe, the game excels in creating a unique scenario. However, issues with its grand strategy elements and technical glitches detract from the overall experience.
Building Society from the Ground Up
At the start of each game, players lay down basic structures like houses and farms on maps inspired by real-world locations such as Seattle and Sydney. The lower-tier buildings have a makeshift appearance, featuring logos of defunct pre-war businesses. Watching laborers go about their daily tasks in these charming dioramas is a delight.
Transforming the Landscape
As players progress, they add more specialized citizens to their city, creating different tiers of residences. From humble beginnings to affluent neighborhoods, the transformation of the ruined landscape into a livable environment is satisfying. The intricate web of production chains adds depth to the gameplay.
Comparisons to Anno
Kaiserpunk draws comparisons to the Anno series, where players progress from basic amenities to advanced technologies, catering to the needs of a growing population. Urban planning at smaller scales is enjoyable, and the ability to shape society through policies is a unique feature.
Strategic Incoherence
However, Kaiserpunk falls short when transitioning to its strategic map. The game struggles to find a consistent scale for storytelling, leading to a disconnect between city building and global politics. The strategic layer seems tacked on, lacking cohesion with the core city-building mechanics.
A Flawed Experience
Despite its potential, Kaiserpunk is marred by technical issues and gameplay imbalances. The AI opponents on Normal difficulty are overly aggressive, creating a steep learning curve for new players. The lack of polish, including real-time resource updates and confusing tooltip information, adds to the frustration.
The game’s economy balance at higher levels is peculiar, with contradictory mechanics that undermine the core gameplay loop. Additionally, numerous bugs and save issues detract from the overall experience, leading to unexpected events like random city fires without clear explanations.