Rise of Industry might look like another calm, collected city builder like Cities: Skylines. Don’t be fooled. This cutthroat tycoon simulation game allows you to become a production mogul in a wide variety of different industries. And it is now available on Steam Early Access.
Rise of Industry starts with a procedurally-generated world, which means that every game is different and each game will dramatically change throughout the course of a single session. In it, you take control of all aspects of production: sourcing raw materials, picking shipping routes, and knocking your rivals out of business.
You can choose to create your empire by trading, producing, or collecting resources. The map will evolve and change over time, forcing you to change your strategy as each game of Rise of Industry progresses.
Rather than building whatever you want and selling it to a needy populace, Rise of Industry tasks you with figuring out what the people actually need and tailoring your business to meet that demand. This means you may have to sell the people orange soda if that’s what they really want.
It is still in very, very early stages, but there are a lot of signs pointing to something good on the way for the detail-obsessed. Developer Dapper Penguin Studios writes that Rise of Industry was Itch.io’s top-selling game of 2017, and they promise many features are coming soon, such as:
- More production options
- Different types of factories
- Global economies
- Player vs. player (there are currently only AI opponents)
- A pollution system
As of right now, Rise of Industry has garnered “Mostly Positive” reviews on Steam and seems to be selling well. The full game costs $24.99, but it is currently on sale through February 16 for 15% off. Keep an eye on it; Rise of Industry looks like a good one for all you tycoon buffs.