Rome wasn't built in a day. The meaning of this idiom is obvious: any grand project is going to take time. This is true both for the development of human civilization, and the development of the game about human civilization: Humankind. After multiple delays, Amplitude's Humankind is finally hitting the market.
Humankind is a 4X game, similar to Civilization, where players guide a tribe from pre-history to the modern era, shaping them into a global superpower. Since Humankind is on Xbox Game Pass, it will be many players first introduction to this type of strategy game. It might be useful to know the general structure of the game in advance.
Humankind is split into seven eras, and each one corresponds to a period of human history. When entering an era, a player must choose a culture to adopt, and each one has different advantages and weaknesses.
Every new era also introduces new technologies to research. Every civilization in the game will enter different eras at different points, so a player can be behind or ahead in development.
Neolithic Era
This era is the introduction. The player's culture is always going to start as Nomadic Tribe. Players should use this point to focus on basic resources, land, and knowledge.
Ancient Era
This is the bronze and iron ages, with civilizations such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Zhou. Players will invest in technologies like the Calender, Writing, Bronze-Smithing, and The Wheel.
Classical Era
The era sees the rise of philosophy and nations, with cultures such as the Greeks, the Huns, and the Maya. Players will invest in technologies like Rhetoric, Hydrology, Standing Armies, and Trade Expeditions.
Medieval Era
This era sees the establishment of long lasting ideologies and dynasties, with cultures such as the Aztecs, the English, the Franks, and the Norsemen. Players will invest in technologies like Theology, Feudalism, Alchemy, and Furnace Steel.
Early Modern Era
This is an era of trade and colonialism, with cultures such as the Spanish, the Ottomans, and the Edo Japanese. Players will invest in technologies like Mercantilism, Movable Typeface, and Gunpowder Warfare.
Industrial Era
This era heralds the industrial revolution, with cultures like the English, the Russians, and the Zulu. Players will invest in technologies like Urban Planning, Mechanization, and the Scientific Method.
Contemporary Era
This era is modern history, with cultures like America, the Soviets, and the Chinese. Players will invest in technologies like Computing, Radar, and Mass entertainment.
More to Come
It's likely that each era may see more content, and players might see a future era. Successful 4x games tend to get expansions, and Humankind's developers have promised mod support. Just like in real life, the future may surprise us.
Humankind launches August 17, 2021 on PC and Stadia.