Steampunk colony-building simulator, Clockwork Empires ($29.99, is now live on Steam after its gestation period in Steam Early Access. It’s now up to you to ensure the success of frontier colonies populated by ambitious overseers, brave soldiers, and oppressed labourers who work and live in workshops, mines, scientific laboratories, lavishly decorated houses, farms, chapels, pubs, and more. But be wary – every colonist is a unique simulated individual with their own personality, motivation, secrets, and peculiar desires which must be satisfied lest they invite Terrible Consequences ranging from occult ritual to delicious cannibalism. Ha ha, video games!
Eager test subjects have spent many months toiling for The Empire as the game underwent Incredible Renovations of Fabulous Extremity™ in Steam Early Access, and now colonial bureaucrats everywhere may seek fame & adventure in Clockwork Empires. Players are transported into a marvelously odd steampunk frontier as a Junior Bureaucrat (Colonial Grade) sent forth by the Clockwork Empire to build a new colony from scratch. Players design buildings and their contents from the ground-up to feed the Ravenous Maw of Industry, manage the uniquely unruly population, and must make Important Decisions when the Occult Investigator shows up for a surprise inspection.
When terrible things go Too Far, eldritch Horrors may be unleashed – leaving colonists in chaos, confusion, and occasionally Oddly Transformed amidst burning wreckage, from which only you can save them (maybe). Do your job well, or let it all crumble into a pile of misery and start over in the next spot over; either way, in true Bureaucratic fashion, you will bring Glory to the Clockwork Empire.