Urban Empire

 PC
  • Publisher: Kalypso
  • Release Date: Jan 20, 2017
User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 39
  3. Negative: 13 out of 39
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  1. TonhoMilGrau
    Jan 22, 2017
    6
    With great potential, Urban Empire has finally brought solid and fun politics into gaming. Even though it is a breath of fresh air to the simulation genre with both entertaining and complex mechanics, Urban Empire has a disappointingly bad, even game-ruining, tutorial that tends to not only forget to teach the most important aspects of the gameplay, but also lead you to major debts andWith great potential, Urban Empire has finally brought solid and fun politics into gaming. Even though it is a breath of fresh air to the simulation genre with both entertaining and complex mechanics, Urban Empire has a disappointingly bad, even game-ruining, tutorial that tends to not only forget to teach the most important aspects of the gameplay, but also lead you to major debts and bankruptcy, something that wouldn't have been so disastrous if it wasn't for the inexplicably inescapable path into debts that some confusing and shallow mechanics will lead you one day or another.
    But after a great grind, New Games over and over, you'll learn the mechanics, at least what the ones humanly possible to. But the worst aspect of this game is, from far, the fact that it isn't an Early Access project, giving the feeling that a constant improvement on the gameplay and design flaws, which are many, is far away, if not completely impossible.    … Expand
  2. Bravo6x
    Jan 22, 2017
    5
    This game is a good example for a good idea, executed very badly and poor. This is a political/economical city management/"tycoonish" game.
    IMHO: The most important thing in developing a game like this, is game mechanics. Looks like they went for graphics instead. Because the graphics are very good for example. But the game mechanics are terrible. This voting and council system was a very    This game is a good example for a good idea, executed very badly and poor. This is a political/economical city management/"tycoonish" game.
    IMHO: The most important thing in developing a game like this, is game mechanics. Looks like they went for graphics instead. Because the graphics are very good for example. But the game mechanics are terrible. This voting and council system was a very good idea! But for god sake... the votes and the council itself are working like an idiot.
    For example: Sometimes even if you have a lot of money, they don't want to build anything. They vote no to train station, no to new district, no to everything. My first (and probably the last) try in this game was 2.2 hour. In this more than 2 hours i was able to build: 2 district, a police station, a clinic, and gas lamps. Nothing else. I progressed to almost 1900 but i doesn't feel any "accomplishment". Tho voting and council are working very badly and seemingly (other reviews) random. No real simulation or common sense at all. This is the part where this game fails big time. Not mentioned the sometimes inexplicable childish manifestations in game. I'm very sad.. not expected this. And for last but not least: Very overpriced!
    If you are fan of the tycoons, manager, simulation, games: Not recommended to buy at all (at any price)!    … Expand
  3. Masterhummel
    May 13, 2017
    6
    Urban Empire is not a city building game.

    In Urban Empire your main goal will be to stay in control. If you want to place something as trivial as a police station, you have to be able to pay for it, pay the service costs, have your political allies and enemies approve it during a vote and be sure that the running costs don't kill your city long time. Personally, i didn't have any    Urban Empire is not a city building game.

    In Urban Empire your main goal will be to stay in control. If you want to place something as trivial as a police station, you have to be able to pay for it, pay the service costs, have your political allies and enemies approve it during a vote and be sure that the running costs don't kill your city long time.

    Personally, i didn't have any technical issues but there's some reports in the Forums you might wanna check out. The overall gameplay is fine but feels lacking in some aspects and now and then it's not exactly clear how some things play together until you've done some trial and error. However, overall it still makes for a good and unique game.

    If you're looking for a city builder, there are better options available. If you're looking for something you have to work into and quite time intensive, but is quite rewarding this might be for you.    … Expand
  4. ChoicestGames
    Feb 15, 2019
    6
    Urban Empire has ambitious goals in trying to work as a city builder and political simulator, yet by attempting to cobble a game that will appease fans of both genres, it ends up being a rather restrictive and confusing city builder, with a rather bland political layer. Sure, the soundtrack is pretty good and I love how you can roleplay as generations of mayors that belong to one of fourUrban Empire has ambitious goals in trying to work as a city builder and political simulator, yet by attempting to cobble a game that will appease fans of both genres, it ends up being a rather restrictive and confusing city builder, with a rather bland political layer. Sure, the soundtrack is pretty good and I love how you can roleplay as generations of mayors that belong to one of four dynasties, but those are the only things that are really going for this game. Tropico seems to be the preferable choice if you want something that strikes the perfect balance between city builder and political sim; Reborn Games have given their best shot at it, but they're not quite there yet.… Expand
  5. YigidOx2
    Mar 17, 2021
    5
    It is not fair at all and it is very complex. Also, this complexity is unnecessary. They messed up a very good idea because they couldn't balance the mechanics.

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
62

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. CD-Action
    Mar 6, 2017
    60
    In Urban Empire the worlds of politics and economy collide in an interesting but moderately successful way. [03/2017, p.70]
  2. CGMagazine
    Mar 4, 2017
    75
    While exploring the many intricacies can be downright frustrating, and the political game can get difficult, Urban Empire is a game unlike any other in its genre. I’ve never played a sim that actually follows the rules of the democracy we have today. That alone makes it a unique enough title to at least try out. I just wish there was a little extra polish or at least a more thorough explanation on how the smaller intricacies in the game work.
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  3. Games.cz
    Mar 3, 2017
    50
    Untraditional conception of building strategy promised many, but instead of that, it delivered dys-functional game mechanics and botched gameplay. Urban Empire stands between the two genres, and takes the worst from both – limited building is combined with dysfunctional political part of the whole game.
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