“Distant Kingdoms offers a unique city building experience as players will use strategy, social management and magic as they look to build a thriving kingdom and unite the humans, dwarves, elves and orcs and ultimately save civilisation from apocalyptic ruin,” the developers say. “Build a sprawling network of towns and villages as you forge a new civilisation.” As you do with city builders, you’ll build roads and buildings and amenities for your population as it grows, unlocking and researching new technology along the way to build bigger and better. As you send out adventurers to expand your territory, you’ll find new threats like dragons and trolls waiting to be dealt with too. You can snag a look at it all in the early access trailer here. I’ve got to say I think the best bit in that trailer is probably the fantasy fire station. Look at that shaggy yak pulling the water cart to the buildings on fire. Oh gosh and there’s a medical yak too, how cute. Distant Kingdoms is planning to remain in early access for about a year, during which time they’ll be adding a full story campaign, additional maps, monsters, and magic. Developers Orthrus Studios have already laid out plans for their first two updates during early access, including new map scenarios, fishing production and more. Modding is clearly a priority for Orthrus Studios as well. They’re planning to bring modding support for buildings in the first update and support for characters and races in the second one. You can find Distant Kingdoms over on Steam where it’s 15% off until May 12th for £18.43/€21.24/$21.24.
