If you asked me what some of the most interesting places I've seen a game set in are, The Great Ursee from The Falconeer — the 2020 open world aerial combat game from BAFTA-nominated solo dev Tomas Sala — would definitely get a mention. This gargantuan world of boundless, stormy ocean is broken up only by scattered sea stacks and jagged vertical landmasses, driving those that inhabit it to cling to the rock for survival. Homes and factories sit in shallow waters and on platforms protruding from the stone, with sprawling bridges and walkways ensuring that everything stays connected. Conflicts between warring factions are fought not on foot, but by air or sea, with troops charging into battle on battleships, in zeppelins, or atop dragons and warbirds.
It's quite an unusual and hostile environment, and it's one I'd never expect to be the setting for something like a chill city-building title. Yet, that's exactly what Bulwark: The Falconeer Chronicles — Sala's upcoming follow-up to the first game that's headed to Xbox, PC, and PlayStation — is, with some 4X strategy game mechanics thrown into the mix for good measure. And after spending a few evenings with the latest build of Bulwark's demo, I've gotta say that I'm totally jiving with what's going on here.
