The skies are no longer the limit for fans of city-building games. The Wandering Band, creators of the BAFTA-nominated Airborne Kingdom, have unveiled their latest creation, Airborne Empire, in Early Access on Steam. This highly anticipated city builder invites players to craft, manage, and protect their very own flying cities while exploring a world teeming with danger, mystery, and untold treasures.
A Fresh Take on City Building
Airborne Empire takes the familiar mechanics of city-building and gives them a literal lift. Players must carefully manage not only the growth of their airborne settlements but also the unique challenges of maintaining lift, balance, and propulsion. These aren’t static cities—every decision, from resource management to city design, impacts their movement and stability. Add in the ever-present threat of sky pirates, and the stakes are higher than ever.
But it’s not all about defense and engineering. The game offers a rich world full of hidden marvels, exotic biomes, and colorful characters. Each journey brings new opportunities for discovery, whether through dialogue choices, side quests, or uncovering lost relics of the past.
Exploration Meets Innovation
One of the game’s standout features is its emphasis on exploration. Players traverse diverse landscapes—from arid deserts to lush woodlands—searching for resources, technologies, and answers to the mysteries of the world. Exploration is woven into the core gameplay: Researching new technologies requires adventuring into uncharted territories, where players can unlock tools like attack planes, cannons, and morale-boosting buildings to fend off the growing pirate threat.
The biomes themselves offer distinct challenges. For instance, deserts present a scarcity of water, forcing players to plan ahead before venturing too far. This balance of risk and reward ensures every expedition feels meaningful and dynamic.
Combat and Challenges in the Clouds
A significant addition to the series is combat. Players must defend their city from airborne enemies while safeguarding the lands below. With customizable defenses and offensive capabilities, including towers and aircraft, players can shape their strategy to best suit their city’s needs.
Community-Driven Development
The Early Access release is an invitation for players to become part of Airborne Empire’s development journey. The Wandering Band has emphasized its commitment to community feedback, drawing on the successes of their previous title to ensure this game meets and exceeds expectations. According to the developers, Early Access will last about a year, with plans to expand the game’s content significantly during this time. This includes new building types, biomes, quests, and even trading cards and achievements.
While the current version already features core gameplay mechanics like city management, exploration, and combat, the developers acknowledge it’s a work in progress. They’re counting on player feedback to refine the game and address any lingering bugs.
Early Reviews Highlight Potential
Initial player reviews have been largely positive, praising the game’s unique mechanics and addictive gameplay. Fans of the original Airborne Kingdom are particularly impressed with the added depth brought by combat and the expanded open-world features. However, some critiques point to the need for optimization on lower-end devices and a desire for more lore and narrative elements.
Here’s what players are saying:
- “Amazing gameplay and a unique concept. The building mechanics are smooth, and the management system is cohesive. Definitely worth your time.”
- “It’s like The Wandering Village but with more control over your direction. The game is incredibly addictive.”
- “A fun continuation of the original, with combat adding a new layer of engagement.”
Looking to the Horizon
Priced at $24.99, Airborne Empire promises an evolving experience as it progresses through Early Access.
Get Involved
Interested players can join the community discussions on Steam and the game’s official Discord server. Feedback, ideas, and bug reports are all welcome as Airborne Empire continues its climb toward full release. For more information, visit airborneempire.com or check out the Early Access trailer here.
