Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond review

Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond is the latest installment in Katowice-based Jujubee’s grand strategy series. Expanding on the geopolitical complexities of its two predecessors, the third game attempts to reach into the cosmos, allowing players to govern not just countries on Earth, but also to extend their influence to celestial bodies like the Moon, Mars, and Venus. This evolution of the Realpolitiks formula expands gameplay, where the duties of policy making mix with space colonization and interplanetary competition. Unfortunately, a dreadful user interface, a shortage of explanations, and dodgy causality undermine the experience.

Earth and Beyond allows players to lead any modern nation and manage a wide range of political, economic, diplomatic, and military systems. One of the game’s strengths is found in the depth of customization. Here, players are able to shape government structures, appoint cabinet members, and execute strategies tailored to national goals. For better or worse, the integration of space exploration arrives as a late-game mechanic, providing new resources, unique challenges, and even some long-term strategic rewards. While the idea of extending geopolitics beyond Earth is conceptually exciting, the game’s execution is a bit uneven.

Making Uninformed Decisions

Although the sense of scope is commendable, Realpolitiks 3 struggles under the weight of its own ambition. The interface is too dense and isn’t always intuitive, making it difficult for players to fully grasp the game’s multitude of systems. Even experienced strategy gamers may find the lack of clarity in some mechanics frustrating. While a tooltip system and in-game video guides are included, they do not always provide enough context to explain how various elements are interconnected.

Performance issues further impact the experience, between the sporadic crashes and some save file snafus. These issues are especially disheartening when a game relies on progression over dozens of hours. Don’t get me wrong, the complexity of systems, such as managing international relations, internal politics, and economic policies are all engaging. But they are hampered by limited feedback and some serious pacing problems.

When Dissent Leaves Orbit

Despite these deficiencies, there might be some appeal to Realpolitiks 3 for fans of sandbox-style political simulators. The partially randomized conditions each time a new game starts introduce an element of unpredictability that encourages experimentation. In fact, replay might be the only way to determine how some of Earth and Beyond’s mechanics fit together. There’s enough variety in national starting positions and development strategies to support multiple playthroughs, even if some scenarios are underdeveloped. The transition from Earth-bound governance to space colonization is a unique feature not commonly found in grand strategy titles, and while it doesn’t always feel seamless, it does add a layer of novelty.

Ultimately, Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond is a game with bold ideas that aren’t realized. It offers a wealth of content and a compelling premise, but the execution is hampered by a host of technical problems, a steep learning curve, and a user interface that struggles to communicate the game’s depth. With future updates and refinements, the game could evolve into a more polished and rewarding experience. For now, it remains a title that should only be considered by players already familiar with the genre and willing to navigate its rough edges in pursuit of its strategic potential.

Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.