Masters of Albion early access review
Masters of Albion, the new project from legendary designer Peter Molyneux and his studio 22cans, has entered early access. The game represents a greatest-hits compilation of Molyneux’s design philosophy, blending god-sim mechanics reminiscent of Black & White, business management elements from Fable, and third-person action-adventure gameplay into a single experience.
Players assume the role of a god-like being tasked with building and managing a civilization, wielding divine powers like lightning strikes while commanding heroes and deploying defensive structures such as ballista towers. The game features a tactile, charming interface designed to make management feel intuitive and engaging.
However, the current early access build remains rough around the edges, with reviewers noting significant balance and AI issues that undermine gameplay. Heroes frequently target incorrect enemies, defensive towers fail to engage threats, and divine powers behave inconsistently, creating frustration during otherwise promising moments.
The announcement carries caution given 22cans’ troubled history with early access. The studio’s previous project, Godus, infamously languished in development limbo for eleven years before being unceremoniously removed from Steam in 2023, alongside its unfinished spin-off Godus Wars. Despite these concerns, reviewers acknowledge potential in Masters of Albion’s ambitious core concept and charming presentation. Whether 22cans can maintain development momentum and deliver a polished final product—rather than repeating the Godus cycle—remains to be seen.