KAISERPUNK

KAISERPUNK is a city-building and strategy game blending elements from classic titles like Anno and Risk, set in a post-World War I Europe with a militaristic twist. Players build and manage a single capital city, focusing on production chains, citizen needs, and military development. The game introduces a 4X-style overworld map where players can conquer regions and engage in strategic combat. While the city-building mechanics are solid and engaging, the game suffers from a range of issues including a clunky user interface, underdeveloped combat system, and performance problems. Many players noted that the 4X elements feel undercooked and the combat lacks depth and balance. Despite these flaws, the unique setting and blend of genres offer potential, with several reviewers hoping for future improvements and expansions. The game currently feels closer to an early access state rather than a polished full release, but it still provides hours of gameplay for fans of city builders and strategy games.

Highlights

Players praise KAISERPUNK's unique post-WWI setting and the integration of city-building with 4X strategy elements. The production chains and economic management are reminiscent of Anno games but with distinct features like global warehouse systems and balancing citizen needs. The overworld map combat offers a nostalgic Risk-like experience, and the game includes a variety of military units and customizable armies. Visually, the game has appealing city details, especially in weather effects like rain. Many enjoy the depth of city progression and the challenge of managing logistics and military production, finding the core gameplay loop engaging despite some rough edges.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include a clunky and unintuitive user interface with small icons, overlapping menus, and poor feedback on building statuses. The combat system is widely regarded as shallow, unbalanced, and frustrating, with issues like broken air combat mechanics and uninspired ground/naval battles. Performance problems such as crashes, stuttering, and low frame rates occur especially in late game. The economic balance feels off with unrealistic production requirements and tedious micromanagement. Players also find the tech progression and research systems awkward and unintuitive. Additionally, the 4X elements and diplomacy feel underdeveloped and sometimes distracting rather than enhancing the experience.