Terrific castle-building sim Cataclismo is being transformed into a chunky strategy boardgame, care of a paid Old Kingdom expansion
Cataclismo, the well-regarded real-time castle defender and builder, is receiving a major paid DLC expansion titled The Old Kingdom, launching August 20th. The expansion significantly transforms the game by introducing a hex-based strategy boardgame mode that shifts from action-focused real-time defense to turn-based tactical strategy.
In The Old Kingdom mode, players strategically expand their domain by conquering citadels across a hexagonal grid. The experience emphasizes resource management through supply line maintenance and technological progression while defending against the invading Mist. The mode adopts a tabletop aesthetic with war table presentation, playing pieces, and illustrated books reminiscent of traditional board games.
The expansion maintains Cataclismo’s core block-building mechanics while integrating them into the new strategic framework. This approach mirrors Darkest Dungeon 2’s Kingdoms mode, which similarly layered strategic overlay gameplay onto an existing title. The Old Kingdom represents substantial content that appeals to players seeking a more deliberate, tactical approach to the Cataclismo universe compared to the base game’s real-time action.