The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Old World, the ancient-history 4X strategy game from Mohawk Games and publisher Hooded Horse, combines city and empire expansion with a ruling family that changes across generations. Notebookcheck reported a temporary Steam price of about $4, down from $40, through October 8, 2026. That sale window has passed; check the Old World Steam page for the current price and availability in your region.
What is Old World?
Old World is a turn-based 4X strategy game set in antiquity. Like a conventional empire-building game, it asks you to grow cities, secure resources, research technologies, and raise armies. Its defining addition is a dynasty: rulers and family members age, heirs need educating, and political marriages, advisors, and personal relationships can influence the course of a reign.
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World In Conflict - PC | $49.96 | Buy on Amazon |
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The comparison “Civilization meets Crusader Kings” is a useful shorthand, not a claim that the games play identically. Old World keeps empire expansion and military strategy at its center; family politics enrich that framework rather than replacing it with a character-focused grand strategy game.
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Orders make actions compete for a limited pool
Rather than treating every unit action as freely available within a turn, Old World uses a shared pool of orders. Moving an important unit multiple times can consume orders you might otherwise spend elsewhere, so the challenge is not only deciding what should happen, but choosing which actions are worth the limited turn resource.
#1 Best Overall
- Explore a vast dynamic world filled with shining cities, lush jungles and forsaken lands.
- Role playing redefined, with instant weapon shifting streamline character leveling, and immerse dialoged.
- Dedicate deeds to the gods and attain devastating supernatural attacks. Feel the thrill of battle through an epic score composed by Tyler Bates'(300)
Technology choices vary between playthroughs
Technologies appear as cards, making research choices less fixed from one game to another. This adds variation to the paths available as you develop your empire.
The dynasty plays out over generations
Family management is tied to the broader job of ruling. You can educate heirs, arrange political marriages, select advisors, and make choices that affect relationships and diplomacy. Because family members age and succession changes who leads, the political consequences of a decision can extend beyond a single ruler.
Rank #2
- Define Your Star Wars Saga - Choose from one of eight iconic roles
- Choose the Light or Dark Side - Meaningful choices throughout your journey will determine the light or dark side
- Adventure with Companions - Build or break meaningful relationships with your companions
- Engage in Heroic Star Wars Combat - Fight against reactive enemies battles
- Pilot Your Personal Starship - Earn your own ship which is your base of operations
How much was Old World on Steam?
Notebookcheck reported on October 5, 2026, that Steam had cut the game’s price by 90%, from $40 to about $4, with the offer scheduled to end October 8, 2026. The report did not specify an exact cutoff time. Since that stated window has passed, those figures describe a reported past promotion, not a current offer. Check Steam for today’s price, regional pricing, and any new sale.
Notebookcheck also said the reported price matched the game’s previous all-time low, citing SteamDB; that historical comparison was not independently verified here. A discount of that size may make the game more appealing if its systems suit you, but the expired promotion is not a reason to assume it is currently available at the same price.
Rank #3
- Conspiracies, Myths and Legends - Everything is true. A real-world, modern-day MMO reaching into legends and myths that unravels as the player progresses.
- No Classes, No levels - Be who you want to be, and play how you want to play. Hundreds of abilities and powers are available as you evolve your character without traditional level or class restraints.
- Join a Secret Society and fight in the Secret War with thousands of other players. As a member of the Illuminati, the Dragon or the Templars - fight together against the rising tide of darkness or battle against other players in massive PvP warzones.
- Epic storyline and missions. Unravel mysteries and conspiracies in one of the most engrossing stories ever told in an MMO, told through groundbreaking mission gameplay and overarching storyline.
- Incredible graphics. Enjoy ground-breaking graphics as The Secret World sets new standards for MMO visuals.
Is Old World a good fit for you?
Consider it if you want more than city-building
- You enjoy planning an empire’s growth, research, resources, and military campaigns.
- You like the idea of family succession and relationships affecting the wider political game.
- You are interested in a historical setting focused on antiquity and playthroughs with varying technology choices.
Know what may make it demanding
Notebookcheck’s October 5, 2026 report describes a steep learning curve, systems that can overwhelm newcomers, an occasionally confusing interface, and graphics it considers dated. These are assessments relayed by that outlet, not results of independent testing here. The order system also asks you to plan actions against a shared limit, which may be a welcome strategic constraint or an extra layer to learn, depending on what you want from a 4X game.
What do the reported reviews say?
Notebookcheck reported that Steam showed 82% positive reviews across nearly 7,000 reviews when its October 5, 2026 article was published. The article also relayed an 8/10 score from TestingBuddies, without specifying the year. Steam’s review count and percentage can change, so treat those as figures reported at that time rather than live ratings.
Rank #4
- Scalable combat options that let you decide the level of control you have over your party, including NPCs. Issue orders, set your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge.
- 6 possible playable preludes known as 'Origin Stories' which along with your play, define how your hero character will see the world, how it sees you and sets the tone for the entire story.
- Travel across the vast and varied lands of Ferelden; from the conspiratorial halls of the last great dwarven city, Orzammar, to the untamed snarls of the Korcari Wilds.
- Dragon Age: Origins will give you deep character customization options including: class, race, appearance, abilities, and equipment.
- At the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Decide the fate of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence.
Does Old World work on Steam Deck?
Notebookcheck said the game could be played on Steam Deck, but compatibility labels and performance information can change. Check the Steam listing’s current compatibility details before buying specifically for handheld play.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Super-Powered Warfare: Unleash the arsenals of the great military superpowers in the gripping single-player story created by Larry Bond
- Bleeding-Edge Graphics – The latest version of Massive’s proprietary Masstech engine allows for a full 360 degree range of camera control and features advanced lighting and physics effects
- Complete Destructibility – As the battle rages, the world environment pays the price -- every object in the game will crumble under the force of war, including cars, buildings and forests
- Deep Multiplayer Modes: Using Massive’s proprietary Massgate multiplayer server system, World in Conflict will support up to 16 players for head-to-head and team-based battles
- Real World Units: Players will take control of the most devastating arsenal of military weaponry ever created, including Soviet, American and NATO tanks, planes, trucks, troops and helicopters as well as nuclear weapons,Player Roles – Players will choose to play as Infantry, Armor, Support Forces, or Aerial specialists; multiplayer teams will need to master each role for maximum effectiveness
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
