Are you ready for a new adventure in the world of survival and management games? Let's take a look at New Cycle, a promising game that has just entered the Early Access phase. This game combines elements of colony management with the struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world, offering you a unique gaming experience.
What is New Cycle?
New Cycle is more than just a survival game; it is a complex supply chain management game. While the developers have provided the game with a backstory, at its core, it is about building and managing an efficient supply chain. Comparisons to games like Banished, Anno, and Frostpunk are apt, but New Cycle brings its own unique elements.
Game Modes and Getting Started
New Cycle offers four different game modes, of which two are currently available:
- Sandbox: An open-ended game where you can build everything from scratch without the late-game disasters.
- Campaign: Similar to Sandbox, but with story elements and late-game challenges.
The other two modes, Sanity and Old Ways, are still in development. You can also adjust the difficulty to tailor the gameplay to your preferences.
Getting Started
Once you start your campaign, you choose your starting map from various biome types and adjust the difficulty. You begin with a small warehouse and a group of workers. The user interface is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Gameplay: Survival and Construction
At the beginning, you focus on the basic needs: food, water, wood, and stone. Soon, you start building roads, mines, farms, and more. Each building is placed on a grid, but you can switch between grid and free-building modes.
Citizens and Population Management
Your population starts as workers but can be trained into craftsmen and specialists. Managing your population is crucial to the success of your colony. You must keep an eye on their efficiency, morale, and health.
Technology and Progression
New Cycle offers an extensive technology tree, ranging from simple soup kitchens to fully automated conveyor belt systems. Progressing through different "cycles" unlocks new research and possibilities.
Challenges and Decisions
The game presents you with difficult decisions, where there is rarely a clear-cut right answer. Your decisions can have far-reaching consequences and even spawn dangerous enemies.
Personal Assessment
After more than 20 hours in the game, I can say that New Cycle offers a captivating and challenging experience. The balance between building supply chains and managing population needs makes the game particularly interesting. I look forward to following the game's development during Early Access.
Keyfuchs' Conclusion
New Cycle is a promising game for fans of survival and management games. With its detailed world, complex supply chains, and deep population management, it offers a rich and demanding gaming experience. The Early Access phase is a great opportunity to discover the game and be part of its development. If you're ready to take on the challenges of a post-apocalyptic world, New Cycle could be just right for you!
