Forge of Empires: Build a City Review

Forge of Empires stands as a notable title in the realm of strategy and city-building games, captivating players with its ambitious scope and detailed historical progression. It presents a multifaceted experience that skillfully blends intricate city management with tactical combat and long-term strategic planning. The core premise is both simple to grasp and compelling to pursue: you are tasked with nurturing a fledgling settlement from its humble Stone Age origins and guiding its evolution through the annals of history, ultimately forging a vast and powerful empire. This journey through time forms the backbone of the game, offering a unique and rewarding sense of development that sets it apart.

Gameplay and Progression

You begin the game in the Stone Age with a few simple huts. The core gameplay loop involves constructing various buildings to produce resources, currency, and supplies. You actively manage your population and their happiness to ensure your city runs efficiently. Players collect these resources on a regular schedule to fund further expansion and technological research. The process requires strategic placement of buildings to maximize space and production.

A central feature of the game is its extensive technology tree. You invest Forge Points, which accumulate over time, to unlock new technologies. This system allows you to advance your city from one historical era to the next, starting from the Stone Age and moving through the Bronze Age, Middle Ages, and even into futuristic eras. Each new age unlocks new buildings, military units, and challenges, providing a tangible sense of progress and accomplishment.

The game also includes a strategic combat component. You recruit military units and command them in turn-based battles on a hexagonal grid. Players conquer surrounding provinces on a world map to expand their empire and gain valuable rewards. Beyond solo play, you can join guilds, trade resources with other players, and visit neighboring cities to help motivate or polish their buildings, fostering a sense of community. While the game is free to play, it incorporates in-app purchases for its premium currency, which can accelerate progress. Overall, Forge of Empires provides a well-rounded and long-lasting strategy game that rewards patience and careful planning.