Airborne Empire is a tranquil sequel that reaches for the sky | Early access impressions

Not too long ago, I took a look at an extraordinary city-building game titled Airborne Kingdom. It’s a delightful management simulation that offers something refreshing: constructing a floating metropolis in the sky. The city is supported by a system of interconnected platforms sustained by propellers, fans, and steam-powered technology, which demands as much attention to balance as it does to keep it airborne. Now, the developer has returned with Airborne Empire, gracefully entering early access with expanded versions of its laid-back, user-friendly gameplay.

Initially, it’s important to note that the narrative and the world have expanded. In this new setup, your city serves as a mobile peacekeeping unit, cruising through the sky above this territory. You assist diverse communities by addressing their various needs and requirements.

Initially, you start with a modest structure, gradually expanding it by constructing paths and various buildings such as academies, hangars, homes, warehouses, factories, and forges. The more you explore and gather knowledge, the greater your building capabilities become. However, as you add more structures, the city becomes heavier, which can potentially cause instability and strain on the fans and propellers that keep it flying and enable steering. To offset this weight increase, consider adding counterweights, and ensure there is enough space for essential utilities to maintain altitude.

Indeed, constructing such structures requires resources, and therefore, it’s essential to create dwellings to attract workers from nearby settlements. Once you’ve amassed a good number of these laborers, you can dispatch them to excavate the subterranean world, clearing paths through forests, iron deposits, meadows, lakes, and more. Feeding everyone is also a priority since sustenance is crucial for their well-being.

In this unusual realm, every inhabitant resembles a bird, yet they’re masters of soaring through the skies with their mechanical wings. Assisting these feathered folk grants you various benefits, including recruiting more workers to boost productivity. However, it’s not just about gathering resources in Airborne Empire – version 2.0 also introduces a unique form of combat, if we can call it that. It’s more like strategic maneuvering and resource management, but with a touch of action!

Occasionally, airborne marauders known as sky buccaneers will launch attacks on your city and nearby settlements, causing destruction. To protect your territory, it’s essential to investigate defensive strategies, and in some cases, dispatch aircraft to intercept them before they cause extensive damage. Although these pirate raids add a touch of excitement, they contrast somewhat with the game’s peaceful atmosphere. Moreover, the cleanup or repairs needed consume valuable time and resources.

Airborne Empire thrives in its relaxed state, similar to the tranquility of a kingdom. The experience is at its peak when you leisurely traverse the skies, seeking ancient ruins to discover, resources to collect, and towns to aid, acting like a city-sized savior. However, it might be slightly too leisurely for some tastes, even with fast-forwarding enabled. Resource gathering can be tedious, and movement is slower; yet, there are research projects available to enhance factors such as speed, lift, and durability.

As a dedicated fan, I’m absolutely thrilled to delve into this expanded universe! The world has grown vastly in Airborne Empire, brimming with a colossal map teeming with various biomes that introduce fresh resources and captivating landscapes. This grand scale perfectly aligns with the title, emphasizing the empire’s expansive scope – truly, an empire overshadows a kingdom in every sense. The horizon is perpetually expanding, opening up new vistas for thrilling adventures and groundbreaking discoveries.

Managing the city is quite straightforward, but remember that your mobility isn’t entirely unrestricted; you’re largely tethered to your aerial citadel. On the other hand, construction is effortless, as you can just drop pre-fabricated structures and then observe as your workers swarm out to establish the buildings. This process of watching your town evolve is just as rewarding as any city-building game. Plus, you’ll find yourself adjusting colors and appearances to make your city uniquely yours.

It’s encouraging to see that Airborne Empire, similar to its predecessor, has launched into early access. This suggests that The Wandering Band has a clear vision and is committed to expanding on their existing work, aiming to create another engaging and innovative game experience.

Airborne Empire is available now in PC early access.

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2025-01-14 12:46