Banished - an upcoming city building game

With all the bad press that SimCity is getting, VR Zone takes a look at Banished, an upcoming city building game that focuses on a group of banished people trying to build a new home. The game seems like a combination of SimCity and Age of Empires, but without the combat element. Banished is created by Shining Rock Software, a one-man operation. Despite receiving plenty of offers to help with the game, the developers sees it as a personal challenge to finish Banished on his own. The game is expected to be released later this year.

Banished is a fresh and intimate new take on the city planning game and has you leading a group of banished people trying to build a new home. At the start of the game, you'll have some settlers and a cart filled with supplies. From there, you'll have to make it on your own. The game plays like a hybrid between SimCity and Age of Empires, but without the combat. Perhaps Tropico is a better comparison. You'll place buildings, make roads and bridges, but also farm, cut down wood and make preparations for the winter by tailoring shirts and gathering firewood. The game's economy is based on a barter system; you'll have to trade as there is no “money” resource to speak of.