Old World Review: A 4X Strategy Game Where Dynasties Matter

Old World, from Mohawk Games and lead designer Soren Johnson, is a historical 4X strategy game set in the ancient Mediterranean. It looks familiar at first glance — cities, units, technology and diplomacy — but its focus on rulers and dynasties makes every campaign feel personal.

Orders Instead of Unlimited Moves

Old World uses an Orders system: each turn you have a limited pool of actions shared across your units and characters. This forces tough decisions. Do you push your army forward, or spend orders building your economy?

Rulers Age, Marry and Die

Your leader is a living character with traits, ambitions and relationships. They age, form alliances, produce heirs and eventually pass the crown. A brilliant ruler can be followed by a reckless one, and adapting to that change is part of the fun.

Events With Consequences

Thousands of narrative events create stories unique to each game. A courtier’s betrayal, a family feud or a tempting religious offer can shift your empire’s direction in unexpected ways.

Verdict

Old World stands out as one of the most thoughtful strategy games of recent years. It rewards long-term planning while constantly surprising you with human drama. If you enjoy Civilization but want deeper characters, this is your next obsession.