Old World is a turn-based strategy game that blends the political depth and character management of Crusader Kings with the empire-building elements of Civilization. With the release of Old World: Heroes of the Aegean DLC and its arrival on Steam, now is the perfect time to explore what makes this game distinct from other strategy titles like Humankind or Civilization VI.

City Placement and Expansion

Unlike other 4X games, cities in Old World must be built on predefined city sites. You can acquire these locations through military conquest or by securing them with a unit. Once a city site is secured, you have some flexibility in placing your city within the available highlighted tiles. Your choice of placement influences your initial workable tiles, impacting early resource acquisition and strategic growth.

A crucial tip for both beginners and veterans is to enable the “Show Resources and Improvements” overlay by shift-clicking or holding M. This overlay provides a detailed view of available resources, ensuring you maximize your city’s early potential. Some resources, like horses or deer, require specific technologies, so plan accordingly. A balanced approach to resource acquisition early on will provide economic stability in the long run.

City Families and Their Influence

A distinctive feature in Old World is the family system. Each civilization has four unique families that provide distinct bonuses when founding a city. For example:

• Riders: Start with connected cities and increased training output.
• Landowners: Focus on food production and growth.
• Patrons: Excel in culture and influence.
• Traders: Generate more wealth and trade opportunities.

Choosing the right family for your playstyle can significantly impact your long-term strategy. If you’re focusing on early military expansion, the Riders might be the best choice. On the other hand, an economic powerhouse could benefit from the Traders.

Technology and Research Prioritization

Old World has a more condensed and specialized technology tree compared to Civilization due to its limited historical scope. Technologies are unlocked over time, with each turn representing a year, meaning most research projects will take several years to complete.

A strong early-game tech path includes:

• Divination: Unlocks shrines, which boost religious influence.
• Trapping: Grants access to camps and slingers, and sometimes a free settler.
• Stone Cutting: Essential for infrastructure and stone production.

Your technological advancement is also influenced by your characters. For example, a wise ruler or governor with high intelligence can increase science output, speeding up research progression. Be sure to check your science income regularly to optimize your strategy.

Orders: The Unique Action Currency

One of Old World’s standout mechanics is the Orders system. Orders function as an action currency, dictating movement, combat, and even political decisions. Unlike other strategy games where units have fixed movement per turn, Old Worldallows you to distribute actions freely across units as long as you have Orders left.

Every turn, you gain a limited number of Orders, which can be used for:

• Moving units (each tile costs one or more Orders)
• Attacking enemies
• Constructing buildings
• Political actions (e.g., influencing a character, divorcing a spouse)

This system adds a layer of strategic depth. You must carefully decide whether to spend Orders on military maneuvers, economic development, or diplomacy. Players who learn to efficiently allocate Orders will have a significant advantage over those who waste them.

Undo Mechanic: A Tactical Lifeline

Old World features an “Undo Last Move” function (Ctrl + Z), which allows you to reverse recent moves. This is invaluable for correcting misclicks or testing different strategies before committing to an action. However, this feature does not apply to all decisions—certain diplomatic and combat actions are final.

Some players may view this as an exploit, but it serves as a strategic tool, especially for scouting or refining tactical maneuvers. If you’re exploring unknown terrain, you can test different scouting paths, undo, and choose the most efficient route.

Military Strategy: Promotions and Generals

Combat in Old World incorporates elements from both Civilization and Crusader Kings, with a strong emphasis on unit promotions and character-driven military leadership.

Unit Promotions

Units can be upgraded using training points, providing them with buffs such as:

• Combat I → Combat II: Increases unit strength.
• Sentinel: Grants defense bonuses.
• Tactician: Enhances strategic mobility.

Generals and Leadership

Generals can be assigned to units, enhancing their combat effectiveness. Each general has unique traits that provide bonuses such as increased critical hit chance or resistance to enemy attacks. Be mindful that assigning a general ends the unit’s movement for the turn, so plan ahead.

Additionally, you can “Force March” units using training points, allowing them to move beyond their standard limit in exchange for additional Orders. This can be crucial in surprise attacks or last-minute defenses.

Character Dynamics and Political Intrigue

Unlike many strategy games, Old World incorporates detailed character mechanics akin to Crusader Kings. Each leader, heir, and noble has personal traits that influence governance and diplomacy.

• Governors: Assigning characters to govern cities can significantly boost yields. A wise governor enhances science, while a charismatic one improves culture.
• Marriages and Heirs: Political marriages can forge alliances or bring new advantages through inheritable traits.
• Events and Decisions: Randomized story events create a dynamic experience, where decisions can impact relationships, legitimacy, and empire stability.

For example, if your heir is a skilled diplomat but weak in military affairs, you may need to adjust your governance strategy to compensate. Managing court politics, balancing internal factions, and dealing with foreign leaders all add to the immersive complexity of the game.

Victory Conditions and Ambitions

There are multiple ways to win in Old World, primarily through Ambitions, which act as evolving objectives throughout the game. Achieving ten Ambitions grants an automatic victory. Common Ambitions include:

• Control six farms
• Train a certain number of military units
• Secure key territories

Alternatively, players can win by accumulating the highest score at the end of the game or through military conquest by eliminating all rivals.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Old World

Old World offers a rich and nuanced strategy experience, combining deep political simulation with classic 4X mechanics. Whether you focus on military dominance, political maneuvering, or economic growth, understanding the game’s unique mechanics is key to success.

Key Takeaways for Beginners:

• Secure city sites quickly and plan your placements wisely.
• Choose a city family that aligns with your strategy.
• Optimize your Orders every turn—don’t waste them.
• Use the Undo function to refine moves and strategies.
• Assign generals and promote units for battlefield dominance.
• Manage characters and political relationships carefully.
• Plan your tech research based on your starting position and long-term goals.

With these fundamentals in mind, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Old World and forging your own dynasty through skillful strategy and tactical brilliance. Good luck, and may your rule be long and prosperous!