You could say that Pioneers of Pagonia is the new old Settlers 2. Under the direction of the mastermind behind the series, the game is already becoming a fan favorite.
Developed by the studio Envision Entertainment under the direction of Volker Wertich, the original inventor of The Settlers series, Pagonia is something of a spiritual successor to the early Settlers games and focuses on nostalgic elements.
Attention To Detail
The heart of Pioneers of Pagonia lies in the lively game world. Thousands of small settlers strut across the map (the advertised "Wuselfaktor"), collect resources, process goods and build up a functioning economy.
You do not intervene as directly as in City Builders, for example, but mainly take care of infrastructure and planning - a principle that is immediately familiar to fans of the first Settlers parts (especially Settlers 2).
The attention to detail - such as animated craftsmen transporting goods - has already been praised by players.
The focus on a calm, decelerated gaming experience sets Pagonia apart from more hectic games in the genre and is a real gift for true Settlers fans.
Features Of The Early Access
Pioneers of Pagonia is already impressing us with many features in Early Access. Players can construct over 40 different types of buildings, produce more than 70 different goods and build complex production chains.
The maps are procedurally generated, which ensures endless replayability, in which you'll never get bored.
We got many options for diplomacy and trade with different factions, initial approaches to military conflicts and a flexible route system that enables the optimal flow of goods.
And not only is the game beautiful to look at, but the visual implementation also provides clear feedback on the state of your economy.
A Glimmer Of Hope For Traditional Construction Games
Pioneers of Pagonia has been a huge success, especially on the German market. Pagonia shows that there is still a large audience for classic construction games - provided they remain true to their roots and respect the expectations of the community.
The game and its developers are incredibly well-connected with the community: Well-known German streamers such as Gronkh and HandOfBlood lend their voices to the game in the German voice-over.
Its success could also definitely show developers that fans still love a traditional, slow-paced building- and strategy game.
What Does Pagonia Mean For The Settlers?
For the traditional Settlers series itself, Pioneers of Pagonia is almost an unofficial expansion.
Many long-time fans see Pagonia as the "true" continuation of the series, while The Settlers: New Alliances by Ubisoft is seen as too military and hectic. Volker Wertich's return to a familiar game principle is celebrated in many places as a return to what made The Settlers great back then.
Although Ubisoft remains committed to the Settlers series, one thing is clear to fans: Pioneers of Pagonia is the spiritual heir to the series.
What Else Can We Look Forward To In Early Access?
Pioneers of Pagonia is currently still in Early Access, but the roadmap promises so many exciting expansions that it is almost impossible to list them all here. Among other things, a co-op campaign, new factions, additional building types and a revised trading system are planned.
The combat system will also be expanded to make conflicts between different races more strategic. This means that if you want a complete game, you'd better wait.
However, the developers show us that they take community feedback seriously and are changing the game based on it. Check out the roadmap for yourself here:
Pioneers of Pagonia is much more than just another building game - it is a love letter to an entire generation. The project strikes a nostalgic chord for a more seasoned generation of gamers.
For all Settlers fans, one thing is clear: the true spirit of the series lives on in Pagonia.
Have you already tested the game, or are you waiting for a full release?