New on Steam: The first major construction game of the year launches this week

The new week has two highlights in store for construction and role-playing game fans

This week, the year 2024 is really picking up speed on Steam: This week’s new releases include not only the first promising construction game of the year, but also one of the weirdest titles of 2024.

Highlight of the week: New Cycle

New Cycle is a post-apocalyptic construction game and the debut work of the Turkish developer Core Engage, which combines elements from Anno, Endzone and Frostpunk. After a global catastrophe caused by solar flares, you start rebuilding with the simplest of means: a rudimentary town hall, a windmill and a small group of survivors.

In terms of gameplay, you can expect the typical construction game loop: First you collect resources and have to build up your colony, you research new technologies and as the game progresses, your inhabitants become more demanding and require living space, clothing and tools.

The gameplay of New Cycle is also characterized by the changing seasons and survival in extreme weather conditions. Morale and health drop in winter, while living conditions improve in summer. Severe weather such as persistent storms and lightning, which can destroy buildings, create a dense atmosphere and an additional challenge.

You can find out how good the first major construction game of the year is in this week’s test by our strategy expert Fabiano. Until then, we recommend our detailed preview, in which you can find out why New Cycle has a lot of potential, but also which areas still need to be improved!

More releases of the week

Monday, January 15

• Time Survivors: A hammy Vampire Survivors clone in which you travel through time as historical figures such as Tesla, Cleopatra or Abraham Lincoln and have to dismantle hordes of dinosaurs, among other things.
• Sovereign Syndicate: A classic role-playing game set in Victorian steampunk London, in which you have to put a stop to a mysterious cult. Instead of dice, there are tarot cards that determine the success of your actions.

Tuesday, January 16

• Contain (Early Access): A dark co-op shooter in which you fight against anomalies in teams of four.
• Home Safety Line: In this horror game, you work for a secret organization and answer emergency calls to help people with supernatural problems.

Wednesday, January 17

• The Last Flame (Early Access): A mixture of Auto Battler à la Teamfight Tactics and Roguelike role-playing game.
• All Quiet In The Trenches (Early Access): In this mix of strategy and role-playing game you have to manage a small group of soldiers, take care of their needs and make difficult decisions.

Thursday, January 18

• Turnip Boy Robs a Bank: The cheeky turnip boy is back – and this time you have to rob a bank with him, including taking hostages and fighting the police.
• Fractured Veil (Early Access): In this survival game inspired by Sons of the Forst, you are stranded on an island inspired by Hawaii, have to collect resources, build a base, fight mutants … you know the drill.

Friday, January 19

• Palworld (Early Access): The most unusual game of the year awaits at the end of the week. In this mixture of Pokémon and third-person open-world shooter, you catch cute creatures, let them toil in your base and fight for you. It will be interesting to see if this completely crazy idea can work. The game will also be released directly in the Gamepass.