Crusader Kings devs Paradox officially reveal Afterworld, a Fallout-flavoured grand strategy game in which you can overrun America with a cannibal cult

Paradox Interactive, developers of Crusader Kings 3 and Hearts of Iron IV, have officially unveiled Afterworld, a post-apocalyptic grand strategy game set in a procedurally generated North America. This marks Paradox's first non-historical setting in a decade, according to game director Dan Lind. Despite initial thoughts of the Fallout series, Afterworld leans more towards the atmosphere of 11 bit's Frostpunk and Proxy's sci-fi 4X Zephon, punctuated by Mad Max references.

In the game, players can choose from various origins, prologues, and formative Traumas that shape their tribe's initial resource allocation and priorities. Settling down and scavenging for essential resources like food, water, and fuel, players must adapt often due to threats and resource scarcity. The expansive world map is shrouded in fog of war, becoming territories as you explore.

As players navigate the wasteland, they encounter other tribes and buildings or terrain features that grant them Ideas, unlocking technologies through research. Scavenging for pre-Fall technology provides a significant advantage. Players must also develop their tribe's social customs, beliefs, political systems, and laws, which are influenced by chaotic societal dynamics in neighboring territories.

Players can define philosophies as orthodox or false, with beliefs influencing diplomacy and trade. Tribal members possess distinct stats, capable of leading war parties and holding office. Religion plays a significant role, as players can influence their tribe's beliefs, potentially leading to disagreements with other tribes. The ultimate goal is to unite all tribes under your banner and establish a new American empire, presenting a significant challenge given the exponentially increasing resource and supply demands.

Afterworld also offers cooperative and PvP gameplay options, although a release date remains undetermined beyond "coming soon." A proper preview and interview with Paradox are expected to follow soon.