"Let Them Trade": Accessible build-up strategy with flaws
The development strategy game "Let Them Trade" from the Nuremberg-based development studio Spaceflower relies on traditional German gaming virtues.
(Image: Spaceflower)
There's one thing you can rely on in the world of computer games: we Germans love building strategy. After top dog "Anno" and "The Settlers", Spaceflower takes us into the medieval world of the free market economy with "Let Them Trade" and can't resist the odd side-swipe. An accessible introduction to a complex genre with rough edges.
It's almost as if the indie game hit "Dorfromantik" meets the classic board game "The Settlers of Catan". Players build their cities on hexes, breed sheep and boost the economy in their small empire. Over time, fame and fortune attract a few bandits, who are fought off with knights and militia. Small missions, such as achieving certain construction goals or maintaining a tax limit, loosen up the familiar gameplay.
Let Them Trade" does not take itself too seriously. The game world is displayed on a living room table, the graphics are colorful and a few witty sayings about the exploitation of nature and people as a game principle poke fun at the competition. Once we had to erect a statue to stroke the king's ego or organize a jousting tournament for the arrogant nobility. No matter what the population thought.
"Let them Trade" angespielt (5 Bilder)
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)Tried and tested gameplay
The gameplay relies on familiar game mechanics. Gold mines or wheat fields can only be built in certain areas and trade between towns determines the price. There is also a bit of a scurrying factor: Merchants travel along roads to the individual towns and craftsmen toil away in their workshops. In a research tree, fans can unlock new workshops such as a forge or create new population classes such as "workers" or "citizens".
In addition to a small campaign in which players have to complete certain missions per map, free play on several pre-made maps is intended to provide replay value. From island archipelagos to desolate desert landscapes, they offer a variety of challenges. Fans can also create their own maps using a map editor. Multiplayer fans are left empty-handed – "Let Them Trade" is aimed exclusively at solo players.
Light and shade
What we liked: It's a relaxed trip into the medieval market economy. The actions are mostly limited to a few building and upgrade commands, while the market regulates the price. On the medium difficulty level, we never got into serious trouble and our economy flourished with big profits. There was always enough money and resources, and the few bandits were no problem for the knights. In addition, the in-game wiki reads like a basic economics course.
Less good were the long waiting times. Especially at the beginning, it took too long to get enough money for a potato field or an upgrade for the wooden hut. Despite playing at maximum speed, it took several minutes of idling before the game continued. The endgame is also disappointing: if all the buildings and technologies are unlocked in just a few hours of play, there are no significant challenges to keep you playing.
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Some things remained unclear. Why can't we buy planks for a building project, even though there are enough in the castle's warehouse? Some upgrades are not clearly understandable, once we had to restart a map in the campaign because a bandit camp did not appear in order to complete the mission. This may all change before the release, but at the moment "Let them Trade" could do with a little fine-tuning. If you want, you can try out the free demo version on Steam before you buy.
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Interim conclusion
"Let Them Trade" by Spaceflower is an accessible building strategy game that is particularly aimed at patient genre beginners. The development studio does not reinvent the genre, but relies on tried and tested game mechanics that are easy to understand thanks to a clear research tree. The sometimes sarcastic humor and the colorful presentation are further plus points for carefree gaming enjoyment.
However, experienced building strategists will be disappointed by the limited scope and the lack of variety in the endgame. Only tinkerers who want to optimize their production and trade chains to perfection will be happy with the game in the long run. They should choose the highest difficulty level right away. However, this should not deter newcomers to the genre: "Let Them Trade" is a successful introduction to the world of build-up strategy games.
"Let Them Trade" will be released on July 24 for Windows. USK not tested.
(vbr)
