City building fans have another title to keep an eye out for on PC, as Paradox Arc announced a partnership with Perspective Games and Bellwood Studio to publish Tlatoani: Aztec Cities. Set to arrive into Steam early access on October 31, 2024, the 2D hand-drawn city builder puts players in the shoes of an Aztec ruler who must develop a new empire.
As ruler, you’ll be able to manage the treasury, services, military, festivals, and religious practices in an exciting sandbox campaign mode. Alongside this, you’ll also need to tend to the needs, skills, and daily routines of unique citizens since you can’t have a very successful empire without people to populate it.
Another important part of growing your empire is spreading your influence across the Mesoamerica region. To do this successfully, you’ll engage in diplomacy with other city-states, trade, build alliances, and conquer your enemies. And yes, you’ll be able to commit human sacrifices in Tlatoani: Aztec Cities, so get those blood alters warmed up.
While Perspective Games and Bellwood Studios may be two of the newer indie developers on the block, with the latter having made Project Mayor, Tlatoani, and the TAG Mod for Game Dev Tycoon, Paradox Arc has plenty of experience to lend to their efforts in the strategy genre. Since becoming an offshoot of successful publisher Paradox Interactive (Stellaris, Crusader Kings III, & City: Skylines) in 2022, they’ve published three strategy titles: Across the Obelisk, Mechabellum, and Starminer.
Anyone who can’t wait till the end of the month to get their hands on Tlatoani: Aztec Cities is in luck, as there is a free demo on Steam titled Tlatoani: Prologue. It will also be a part of the Steam Next Fest next week, October 14, 2024, so be sure to check back for more information on it around that time.
