Cultures

Cultures is a real-time strategy and city-building game developed by Funatics and released in 2000 for PC. The game was designed by Thomas Häuser (who previously worked on The Settlers II: 10th Anniversary and Historyline: 1914-1918), Thomas Friedmann, and Thorsten Kneisel, another Blue Byte veteran. This talented team brought their experience from classic strategy games to create a unique Viking-themed settlement simulation.

Set in the world of Norse mythology, Cultures follows the adventures of Bjarni and his Viking clan as they explore new lands and establish thriving settlements. What immediately distinguishes this game from other strategy titles is its heavy emphasis on individual character development and social dynamics. Rather than managing anonymous units, you oversee named Vikings with distinct personalities, skills, and relationships that evolve throughout the game.

The core gameplay revolves around the familiar economic chains we remember from The Settlers II, but with significant innovations. Each Viking has individual needs, preferences, and abilities that must be managed. They can learn new professions, form romantic relationships, have children, and even develop rivalries with other settlers. This creates a living community where social dynamics become as important as resource management.

The building and production systems follow classical settlement-building principles. You construct various structures to process raw materials into finished goods, creating supply chains for everything from food production to weapon crafting. However, the addition of character progression adds depth - a blacksmith becomes more efficient over time, while unhappy workers may perform poorly or even leave the settlement.

Visually, Cultures presents a charming cartoon-like aesthetic that perfectly captures the lighthearted Norse atmosphere. The character animations are expressive and full of personality, while the environments feature lush landscapes dotted with traditional Viking architecture.

The campaign follows Bjarni's journey across multiple scenarios, each presenting unique challenges and objectives. Some missions focus on exploration and discovery, while others emphasize economic development or diplomatic relations with neighboring settlements.

One of the game's strongest aspects is its approach to conflict resolution. The game encourages diplomatic solutions and peaceful coexistence. Vikings can trade with other settlements, form alliances, and even intermarry between communities. This emphasis on cooperation over conquest creates a more relaxed, family-friendly strategy experience.

The learning curve is generally accessible, though the social mechanics can initially seem overwhelming. Managing dozens of individual Vikings with unique needs requires more micromanagement than traditional RTS games. However, the intuitive interface and helpful tutorials ease newcomers into the system.

Cultures succeeds in creating something genuinely different in the crowded strategy genre. By combining the proven economic simulation of The Settlers series with innovative character development and social systems, Funatics crafted an engaging experience that appeals to both strategy veterans and casual players. It is not Age of Empires, but if you want to try something different, it's a very good choice.