Have a Hoot with Humankind, a Civilization Building Game That Spans Millennia!

Humankind, developed by Amplitude Studios and published by Sega, isn’t your typical civilization builder. It throws away the linear path of progression common to many games in the genre and instead embraces a dynamic system where civilizations evolve and adapt throughout history. Imagine a grand tapestry woven from the threads of countless cultures, each leaving its indelible mark on the world stage – that’s Humankind in a nutshell.
The core gameplay revolves around leading your civilization through six distinct eras: Neolithic, Ancient, Classical, Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern. Each era offers unique opportunities for advancement, technological breakthroughs, cultural development, and geopolitical maneuvering. You begin as a humble tribe of hunter-gatherers, forging alliances, exploring the map, and developing basic technologies like pottery and animal husbandry. As your civilization progresses, you can choose from a diverse array of cultures to define its identity.
Embracing Diversity: Cultures Define Your Destiny
One of Humankind’s most intriguing features is the cultural evolution system. Unlike games that lock you into a single culture throughout history, Humankind lets you evolve and adapt. You might start as the Babylonians in the Ancient Era, renowned for their magnificent ziggurats and legal code. But if your expansion leads you to encounter the Greeks with their philosophical prowess and architectural marvels, you can choose to adopt Hellenistic culture, merging Babylonian strengths with Greek innovations.
This fluidity adds depth and replayability to Humankind. Every decision about which culture to embrace shapes the trajectory of your civilization, impacting its bonuses, technologies, and diplomacy options.
Era | Cultures |
---|---|
Neolithic | Egyptians |
Ancient | Babylonians, Greeks, Phoenicians |
Classical | Romans, Persians, Maoi |
Medieval | Franks, Vikings, Byzantines |
Early Modern | English, Aztecs, Inca |
Modern | Americans, Chinese, Germans |
Waging War and Forging Peace: The Art of Diplomacy
While Humankind allows for peaceful expansion through diplomacy and trade, it also acknowledges the realities of conflict. Warfare is a complex system that requires careful planning and execution. Units are categorized by their era, ranging from primitive archers in the Neolithic to modern tanks and fighter jets. Terrain plays a crucial role in battles, offering tactical advantages to those who utilize it wisely.
Diplomacy is equally multifaceted. You can forge alliances with other civilizations, engage in trade agreements, or even declare war. However, be wary of betraying your allies – Humankind has a sophisticated reputation system that tracks your diplomatic actions and influences the reactions of other civilizations. A history of treachery will make forging alliances much harder in the future.
The Quest for Fame: Leaving Your Mark on History
Humankind doesn’t have a traditional victory condition. Instead, it employs a fame-based system. Throughout the game, you earn fame points through various achievements: conquering cities, establishing trade routes, advancing your culture and technology, and contributing to the arts and sciences. The civilization with the highest fame score at the end of the game is declared the winner.
This open-ended victory condition encourages diverse playstyles. You can focus on military conquest, cultural dominance, scientific advancement, or a balanced approach that combines all these elements. Ultimately, the best path to victory in Humankind is the one that aligns with your preferred style of gameplay.
A Visually Stunning Experience:
Humankind’s visuals are a feast for the eyes. The game features beautifully rendered 3D landscapes, detailed unit models, and impressive city animations. The soundtrack is equally captivating, immersing you in the historical atmosphere of each era.
Humankind stands out as a refreshing and innovative take on the civilization building genre. Its dynamic cultural evolution system, complex diplomacy mechanics, and open-ended victory conditions provide countless hours of strategic gameplay and replayability. So gather your tribes, choose your cultures wisely, and embark on an epic journey through the annals of history. Will you rise to become a legendary civilization etched in the memory of mankind?