Circle Empires 2 - Announcement thread

[Cissero]

Hey everyone,

The wait is finally over, and we’re over the moon to announce the long-awaited next entry in the Circle Empires series. This is Circle Empires 2!

Wishlist & follow it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3093020/Circle_Empires_2/

This game is a huge step for us, because we’ve approached things a little differently. As you can already tell from the screenshots, we’ve built a sequel that looks and feels a little different, while still maintaining the core values of what we all love about the Circle Empires series.

Circle Empires 2 will offer you a uniquely engaging experience, whether you’re a seasoned veteran of circular warfare or a rookie:

For old players: CE2 is completely rebuilt with new core structures. This unlocks lots of cool stuff that wasn't technically possible before. You now have granular control over terrain and building placements. You can balance the maze-like defensive plans of the circle with optimal economic layouts. Units can push each other, leading to group vs group struggles in key areas, which you can manipulate with your defensive layouts, magic units and positioning. Any unit can ride any other unit that is large enough. Want to employ the dragon as a mount for a worker? Can do. Just lots of cool stuff that wasn't possible before.

For new players: CE2 is an extremely easy to learn strategy game where you conquer, develop and defend small kingdoms in deeply varying circumstances. Fight detailed, tragic battles, defend or sacrifice regions and develop the smartest route to domination in every situation. Start out easy and improve until you master the Impossible.

So, as you can see, we really meant it when we put that little “2” in the title. This is a game that builds on the DNA of the Circle Empires, CR: Rivals, and CR: Tactics, while going beyond.

A clean slate allows us to make big changes. With Circle Empires 2, the goal is to create a concentrated experience. Less stuff but more meaningful variation. You now have to study less and experiment more. Big changes to core systems like unit interactions, terrain interactions and unit AI will completely upset how the game feels and is balanced. Many new systems are not possible in the old engine and have required a complete rewrite from scratch.

There’s still a long way to go before we can give you a chance to experience Circle Empires 2 for yourselves. Right now, the single player is working with minimalistic content and multiplayer is taking shape. Much of the content is to be added still., but we’re passionately working away and we cannot wait to show you more of our little world full of rotund battlefields.

Can’t wait to hear what you all think.

Luminous

[CheckSix]

Circle Empires is loads of fun. Looking forward to trying out the new interactions in CE2. I really hope the late game in CE2 is better. I always felt in CE1 the late game got boring. Here I am with loads of upgraded units, but just a few lowly circles left to conquer. The difficulty progression has been, well, an area that could use a face lift. I always wanted to build bigger and bigger armies, with a total onslaught at the end for a hope at winning as I converged toward one powerful enemy.

Right now my strategy loop is: Wait a really long time to get resources. Build army. Conquer nearby circles to avoid getting attacked. Strategically expand to another nearby circle. Wash, rinse, repeat. Just one big mob-army hopping from circle to circle. The idea of a multi-front onslaught always intrigued me, with different specialized armies on the field (with some way to group them). The note about defense is really great. Right now it is "spam a ton of towers in this circle, and hope for the best." More strategic defense sounds great!