The Settlers: New Allies

🔥 What is The Settlers: New Allies?

The Settlers: New Allies is a reimagined build-up real-time strategy game released on February 17, 2023, for PC via Ubisoft Connect and Epic Games Store. Developed by Ubisoft Blue Byte, this entry returns to the roots of the beloved franchise that began in the 1990s, offering a blend of city-building mechanics and strategic battles with modern graphics and gameplay enhancements.

Set in a medieval fantasy world, the game follows settlers who flee their homeland and embark on a journey to find new territories to build their civilization. Players can choose from three unique factions the Elari, the Maru, and the Jorn each with distinct appearances, playstyles, and backstories.

Game Modes

The game offers several ways to play:

• A story-driven single-player campaign following the Elari as they settle in new lands
• Skirmish mode for solo or multiplayer battles with up to eight players
• Hardcore mode with additional challenges for experienced players

👉 Features of The Settlers: New Allies

Stunning Visuals

The Settlers: New Allies features state-of-the-art graphics with detailed animations and diverse environments ranging from lush forests to arid deserts. The settlements are vibrant and lively, with intricate production chains visually represented as resources move through your town.

Faction Diversity

• The Elari: Central European-inspired faction wearing blue, brown, and white, with advantages in reduced costs for farms, windmills, bakeries, and residences
• The Maru: African-inspired faction with cyan, gold, and silver color scheme
• The Jorn: Viking-inspired faction dressed in green

Gameplay

At its core, The Settlers: New Allies focuses on building settlements, managing resources, and engaging in combat. The game emphasizes three main activities: explore, expand, and conquer.

Engineers serve as the backbone of your settlement, expanding your territory and surveying mining areas. Building placement is crucial, as you’ll need to connect structures with roads to create efficient production chains. Resources are physically transported by settlers from their origin to storage and then to production buildings.

Combat involves recruiting various unit types with special abilities, though battles tend to be straightforward. Defensive towers can be strategically placed to protect your settlement from enemy attacks, adding a layer of tactical depth.

The game’s pace is deliberately slow, creating a relaxing atmosphere that allows players to focus on building their settlements and watching their production chains in action.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Beautiful, detailed graphics and animations
• Satisfying production chain mechanics
• Relaxing, wholesome atmosphere
• Well-optimized performance even on modest hardware
• Accessible for newcomers to the strategy genre

Cons

• Combat lacks depth compared to other RTS games
• Only one difficulty level in the base game
• Gameplay can feel slow-paced without a fast-forward option
• Limited unit variety for an RTS
• AI opponents can be too easy for experienced players

The Settlers: New Allies offers a charming, accessible entry point to strategy gaming with its focus on settlement building and resource management rather than complex combat. While it may not satisfy hardcore RTS fans looking for deep tactical gameplay, it provides a relaxing and visually pleasing experience for those who enjoy watching their virtual communities grow and thrive.