HUMANKIND

HUMANKIND is an epic, turn-based historical strategy game developed by Amplitude Studios and published by SEGA, where you get to rewrite the story of human civilization from the ground up. Released in August 2021 for PC and later expanded to consoles, this game offers a deep, thought-provoking experience that challenges players to shape the fate of humanity by blending cultures, making pivotal decisions, and influencing the course of history.

A Journey Through Time

At its core, HUMANKIND invites you to lead a civilization from the Neolithic Era to the contemporary age, evolving across six major historical epochs. What sets it apart from other 4X strategy games like Civilization is its dynamic cultural evolution system. Instead of sticking to a single nation, you can combine elements from 60 different historical cultures, adapting as the world evolves.

Each era offers the opportunity to choose a new civilization with unique attributes, such as the industrious Egyptians, the scientific Babylonians, or the warlike Zulu. This hybrid approach allows for near-limitless replayability, as your civilization can morph in countless ways, creating a narrative unique to each playthrough.

Cultural Evolution and Strategic Depth

The cultural fusion mechanic is at the heart of HUMANKIND. As you progress through the eras, you blend traits from multiple cultures, influencing your gameplay style. You might start as the expansionist Phoenicians, focusing on trade and naval dominance, but later adopt the scientific prowess of the Chinese or the militaristic strategies of the Romans. This fluid identity keeps the gameplay dynamic and strategic.

Each culture offers special units, buildings, and gameplay bonuses, allowing you to experiment with various playstyles. The evolving cultural identity encourages players to think beyond conquest and consider science, diplomacy, and influence as equally viable paths to victory.

Exploration and City Building

Exploration in HUMANKIND feels genuinely rewarding, especially in the early game. Players start with a small tribe of nomads exploring a vast, procedurally generated map filled with resources, natural wonders, and hidden dangers. The sense of discovery is enhanced by the game’s beautifully rendered landscapes, featuring realistic terrain and biomes.

City-building is both strategic and visually stunning. Cities expand through districts, each with unique bonuses based on placement and terrain. Balancing population growth, resource management, and cultural expansion becomes critical as your empire flourishes. Players can also create outposts, which can later evolve into full-fledged cities, emphasizing gradual territorial growth.

Diplomacy and Influence

Diplomacy in HUMANKIND is complex and rewarding, focusing on relationships shaped by historical events and player choices. The game’s influence system goes beyond basic alliances or wars. Your empire’s ideological stance and past actions influence how other civilizations perceive you, leading to dynamic diplomatic relationships.

The fame system adds a unique twist. Rather than simple domination, victory is determined by accumulating Fame Points, earned by completing achievements, scientific breakthroughs, territorial expansion, and cultural milestones. This ensures that multiple strategies can lead to success, whether you’re a peaceful architect, a scientific innovator, or a military conqueror.

Tactical Combat

Combat in HUMANKIND combines strategic planning with a touch of realism. Battles take place directly on the game map, turning them into mini-tactical encounters where terrain and positioning matter. Units are divided into specialized roles, and siege mechanics add depth to city assaults.

The ability to split armies and plan multi-turn engagements adds a layer of complexity rarely seen in other strategy titles. However, the focus remains on empire management rather than constant warfare, allowing non-military strategies to remain competitive.

Scientific Progress and Technological Evolution

The tech tree in HUMANKIND spans the full scope of human history, from basic agriculture to space exploration. Scientific advancement plays a central role, with each technological breakthrough unlocking new units, buildings, and abilities.

What makes the progression engaging is how it ties into cultural identity. A civilization that values scientific discovery gains unique bonuses, while others might prioritize economic growth or artistic achievements. This flexibility encourages experimentation with different strategies in each playthrough.

Artistic Presentation and Soundtrack

Visually, HUMANKIND is breathtaking. The game’s art direction embraces a painterly style, with lush landscapes, detailed cityscapes, and dynamic weather effects that evolve as you advance through the eras. The UI is sleek, informative, and easy to navigate, making the complex gameplay systems more accessible.

The soundtrack, composed by Arnaud Roy, is equally impressive. It evolves alongside your civilization, starting with tribal rhythms and gradually incorporating grand orchestral themes as your empire grows. The music adapts to the culture and era you’re in, enhancing the emotional depth of the experience.

Customization and Player Expression

Player expression is central to the HUMANKIND experience. Beyond choosing cultures, you can fully customize your leader’s appearance, name, and personality. The AI reacts to your choices, making each playthrough feel personal and dynamic.

Additionally, the game supports modding, allowing the community to create and share custom content. From new civilizations to expanded maps, this feature ensures long-term replayability.

Critical Reception and Legacy

Since its release, HUMANKIND has been praised for its innovative cultural blending system, stunning visuals, and rich strategic depth. Critics highlighted its fresh take on the 4X genre, though some noted room for improvement in areas like diplomacy and AI behavior.

Amplitude Studios has continued to support the game with expansions and quality-of-life updates, ensuring it remains a staple in the strategy genre. The game has also inspired discussions about historical representation and the importance of diverse cultural narratives in gaming.

Why HUMANKIND Stands Out

What makes HUMANKIND exceptional is its focus on storytelling through history. Every choice, from cultural shifts to diplomatic relations, contributes to a narrative uniquely shaped by the player. It challenges you not just to conquer but to leave a legacy—a civilization remembered for its values, achievements, and influence on the world.

Whether you’re a veteran of strategy games or a newcomer seeking a thoughtful, rewarding experience, HUMANKIND offers endless possibilities for creative expression, strategic mastery, and historical exploration. Rewrite history—your way.