HUMANKIND™ - Together We Rule Expansion Pack Review Summary

Enhanced diplomacy, innovative leverage, and deep spy mechanics shine, but overpriced DLC that breaks the base game plus stability issues mar the experience.

Diplomacy system greatly enhanced: The expansion significantly enriches the diplomacy system with new mechanics like leverage, embassies, and the Congress of Humankind. This makes diplomacy a more active and engaging part of the game, allowing for non-military influence and world domination.

Congress of Humankind praised: The world congress allows voting on global laws, international crises, and world ideology, with many considering it the best version of the feature in any game. It adds a strategic layer that makes the late game more dynamic and engaging, especially in multiplayer.

Leverage system is innovative: Leverage is a new currency collected from grievances and other interactions, used for diplomatic actions like ultimatums and revealing spies. It encourages awareness of inter-nation relations and adds meaningful complexity to diplomacy.

DLC adds new cultures: The DLC introduces several new cultures, including diplomatic ones, which are praised for adding variety and depth. These cultures offer unique quirks and diplomatic options that enhance gameplay.

Spy mechanics add depth: Spies can infiltrate territories, steal resources, gather intelligence, and sabotage enemies, making the modern era more significant. The stealth rework is praised for adding new strategic possibilities and being fun to use.

DLC overpriced and low value: Players consistently report that the DLC is not worth its price, describing it as bland, tedious, and adding little value. Many recommend waiting for a significant discount before purchasing.

DLC breaks base game: The DLC is reported to introduce serious bugs and imbalances that ruin the base game experience. Players feel it is a paid fix for existing problems and an insult to the community.

Envoy and leverage mechanics introduced: Envoys are new units that walk the map, collect leverage, and can be micromanaged, while leverage serves as a diplomatic currency with multiple actions. This adds a hands-on diplomatic resource system.

Spy and espionage systems added: Multiple clusters highlight the addition of spies, espionage, and stealth mechanics, including infiltrating territories, stealing resources, planting rumors, and being detected or fought. This is a major new gameplay layer.

World congress and voting systems: A world congress or Congress of Humankind is added, featuring voting on laws, crises, and global principles, with percentage-based voting and demands like converting religion. This provides a central diplomatic decision-making body.

Diplomatic cultures and era stars: New diplomatic cultures are introduced, each with era stars to earn, and interactions with major and minor nations. This expands cultural progression and diplomatic engagement.

Diplomatic pressure and leverage actions: A leverage system includes five actions, attacks on the player, and manual conversion, while diplomatic pressure points are collected. This adds strategic depth to diplomacy.

Crashes and stability issues: Multiple players report crashes, especially on Mac and after the DLC launch, with some noting the expansion was unplayable at release. Crashes also occur after visual bugs in the diplomacy screen.

Performance lag and low FPS: Players experience significant lag, especially in the late game, with low FPS when zooming, and the game can freeze entirely. This is more pronounced on lower-end hardware.

Recurring turn pending bug: The turn pending bug has returned after a recent update, causing players to get stuck at the end of turns or in battles. This is a persistent technical issue that disrupts gameplay.

High memory usage: The game now uses over 10GB of memory, up from 3-5GB, which is higher than comparable titles like Warhammer Total War 2 and Civilization 6. This indicates poor optimization.

Bugs increase with progression: Crashes and recurring bugs become more frequent as the game progresses, making late-game sessions particularly unstable. This suggests a lack of optimization for extended play.

DLC not worth price: Multiple reviewers strongly advise against purchasing the DLC, citing poor value even at half price. They recommend waiting for a significant discount or skipping it entirely.

Base game sufficient without DLC: Reviewers note that the DLC is not essential for enjoying the base game, and newcomers can skip it without missing critical content. It is seen as optional rather than required.

Recommended for Humankind fans: The DLC is positively recommended for players who already enjoy Humankind or similar 4X strategy games, suggesting it enhances the experience for the target audience.

Must-have for supporters: One reviewer calls it a must-have for fans of the base game who want to support development, framing it as a way to contribute to the game's future.

Generally well worth it: A reviewer states the DLC is generally well worth it, indicating overall satisfaction with the content provided.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00.

Game completion: 7.0h.

The game has a steep learning curve and early frustration, but becomes more engaging in the late game with diplomacy mechanics, though some players find late game tedious.

Friction: steep learning curve; cannot earn diplomatic stars early; tedious envoy system; tedious way to gather diplomatic currency.

Unlock drivers: getting spies; late game mechanics; crises becoming a diplomacy battleground; mid and late game becoming more dynamic.

Competitive Meta-Gamer: Optimizes culture picks and leverages mechanics to gain a competitive edge, often playing on higher difficulties. Motivation: Winning at high difficulty through optimal culture selection and efficient use of mechanics. Stance: no buy.

Multiplayer Diplomat: Focuses on multiplayer diplomacy, using grievances, spies, and ambassadors to outmaneuver human opponents. Motivation: Engaging in deep diplomatic interactions and strategic maneuvering with other players. Stance: buy.

Base Game Enthusiast: Plays both solo and multiplayer, appreciates new features and is willing to overlook minor flaws for the overall experience. Motivation: Enjoying and supporting the base game with new content and improvements. Stance: buy.

Monetization: The user reviews focus almost entirely on the value and price of a $20 DLC expansion. There is no evidence of microtransactions, in-game currency, loot boxes, pay-to-win mechanics, or any post-purchase monetization. Complaints are about the upfront cost of a traditional expansion, which is not considered predatory. The game appears to be a one-time purchase with optional DLC, and the score reflects the absence of predatory monetization despite price dissatisfaction.

Humankind compares favorably to Civ: Several reviews compare Humankind to Civilization games, with some stating it is better or has more potential. This indicates a positive reception relative to the genre's benchmark.

AI weaknesses in DLC: The AI is noted to have military and diplomatic weaknesses, and it has a heavy bias on new stealth and emissary troops. This can affect gameplay balance and challenge.

Game has low player numbers: The game has low player numbers and little online traction, which may impact multiplayer and long-term support. This is a concern for the game's future.