Pharaoh: A New Era - Buyer's Guide

Pharaoh: A New Era is a remastered version of the classic city-builder, offering upgraded gameplay, graphics, and new features. Perfect for city-building enthusiasts.
Fan-art of Pharaoh: A New Era

Pharaoh: A New Era offers players a chance to immerse themselves in the rich history of Ancient Egypt through a complete remake of the classic city-builder Pharaoh. With over 50 missions and more than 100 hours of gameplay, players will experience the challenges and triumphs of being a powerful pharaoh. The game allows you to build and manage a city along the banks of the Nile, erect iconic monuments, and navigate economic and political crises. The remake features upgraded gameplay mechanics, stunning 2D graphics, and a reorchestrated soundtrack. Players can delve into the Campaign mode to learn the game basics and explore life in Ancient Egypt, or unleash their creativity in Sandbox mode. With new features like the Nilometer and redesigned UI, Pharaoh: A New Era promises a complex and engaging experience that celebrates the legacy of the original cult classic.

Should I play Pharaoh: A New Era in 2024?

The good

Fans new to the world of Pharaoh will find a lot to love here. The 2023 remake, Pharaoh: A New Era, retains around 90% of the original gameplay, bringing the classic city-building experience set in ancient Egypt to a new generation. Many user-friendly updates have been made to modernize the game, such as improved graphics and interface, as well as quality of life (QoL) tweaks like the global labor force and customizable notifications. The game’s addictive nature and scenario-based progression continue to keep players engaged.

The bad

While Pharaoh: A New Era has made strides in bringing the classic game into the present, it’s not without its flaws. Veterans of the original might find the new combat mechanics lack the depth they cherished, and some perceive the game to cater too much to casual players. Additionally, technical issues such as losing saved games and bugs affecting trade routes can be a source of frustration. A few users express disappointment, feeling the game is a buggy, lazy cash grab rather than a faithful, polished remake.

Verdict

Should you still buy or play this game in 2024? If you’re new to the Pharaoh franchise or looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane with modern sensibilities, Pharaoh: A New Era is worth a try. Its updated graphics and interface, along with thoughtful quality of life improvements, make it a strong introduction to a beloved classic. However, if you’re a purist who loved the original’s intricate combat system, or if you’re easily frustrated by bugs, proceed with caution. Overall, the game delivers on its promise to bring Pharaoh into a new era, but a few sand grains in the cogs might bother the old-school fans. 🏛️✨



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In-game Screenshot

Screenshot of Pharaoh: A New Era

Top image is not real in-game screenshots. Fan-art made by Gamer.se. Some game metadata is coming from RAWG