Doodle Empires

Doodle Empires is a unique sandbox strategy game that allows players to create, expand, and manage nations on customizable maps. Players enjoy the freedom to express their creativity by drawing countries, designing custom maps, and generating alternate history scenarios. The game operates on a card system that dictates actions like expansion, unification, and religion founding, adding an element of unpredictability. Despite being in early access, it has garnered a positive reception for its innovative gameplay and imaginative potential.

However, many players report significant bugs and technical issues, including softlocks, selection glitches, and slow save/load times. The large map scale combined with localized interactions can feel overwhelming or underutilized. Players also note the lack of sound effects or music, which affects immersion. While the game scratches a niche itch for map painting and storytelling, it can become repetitive and lacks strategic depth compared to traditional grand strategy titles. Overall, it is a promising but currently rough experience that appeals mainly to creative and history-enthusiast audiences.

Highlights

Players praise Doodle Empires for its creative sandbox gameplay that enables detailed map and nation design. The ability to generate alternate history and unique stories through the card-driven mechanics is well received.

The game's simplicity and charm in allowing players to paint empires and watch them evolve is highlighted as a major strength. Custom map creation and modding potential are seen as exciting future prospects. Many find it a satisfying boredom killer and a compelling tool for world-building and historical exploration.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game's numerous bugs, including softlocks, nation selection issues, and crashes during saving. These technical problems hinder smooth gameplay and frustrate users.

The large map size paired with limited interaction scope leads to repetitive and sometimes tedious gameplay. The lack of sound or music reduces engagement. Some players find the card system unpredictable and occasionally restrictive, detracting from strategic planning. The game currently lacks depth and polish, limiting its appeal beyond niche creative audiences.