It seems to be video game showcase season, and Paradox Interactive did not want to be left out of the fun. After spending a week hyping up new announcements, the publisher came out swinging with a slew of new titles and DLC reveals. There seems to be a lot in store for Paradox Interactive in 2023, and that makes it a great time to be a fan of the company.
While a lot of the showcase was focused on DLC for its biggest games, Paradox also had a couple of new games to reveal. Colossal Order finally unveiled its next major project, Paradox's long-awaited Sims competitor was revealed, and a brand-new turn-based strategy game is on the way. Fans of the studio can expect a lot of things in the next coming months, and hopefully, it is all worth the wait.
Cities Skylines 2
The biggest game announcement came in the form of the long-awaited Cities Skylines 2. It has been eight years since Cities Skylines hit store shelves, and it has seen a steady stream of DLC ever since. While it is still very popular today, the community has been clamoring for something new for a while now. After spending a week hyping up an announcement from Colossal Order, the studio has finally revealed Cities Skylines 2.
Not much is known about this sequel as Paradox only released an announcement teaser. Colossal Order promises that it is going to be the most realistic city builder ever. It will supposedly offer a deep simulation and living economy that will challenge the player in new ways. It will be interesting to see what this sequel looks like, and fans do not have long to wait. The game is supposed to launch sometime in 2023, but no concrete date has been set yet. Players can head over to Steam right now to wishlist it, and it will be launching on Xbox Game Pass day one.
Knights of Pen and Paper 3
The next chapter in Paradox Interactive's wild pop-culture-filled turn-based RPG series is coming to PC. Knights of Pen and Paper 3 will bring players on a brand-new retro pixel-art adventure, and it will apparently improve upon everything from the previous games. A new character creation system will let players create the pixelated hero of their dreams, the skill system has been revamped, new prestige classes give players far more flexibility, and the pixel art style has been vastly improved. It looks like it will be a lot of fun, and fans do not have that long to wait as the game will be released on March 7.
The Lamplighters League
The studio behind Battletech and the Shadowrun trilogy is back with a brand-new turn-based strategy game. The Lamplighters League puts players in control of a band of misfits with unique abilities and supposedly unforgettable personalities. They must stop the powerful Banished Court from reshaping the world in an alternate-history 1930s. Players will have to develop all sorts of different strategies and learn how to use their characters most effectively if they want any chance of saving the world.
The Lamplighters League combines real-time infiltration gameplay with turn-based tactical combat, and each character brings something new to the table. It looks like it has all the hallmarks of the genre with a nice Mummy-esque aesthetic thrown into the mix. It is supposed to launch sometime in 2023 and will be on Xbox Game Pass on day one. Anyone who is interested can wishlist it on Steam right now.
Life By You
Paradox Tectonic has finally revealed what it has been working on, and it seems to be a game similar to The Sims - the competitor that life sim fans have been waiting for. Not much is known about Life By You, but the quick announcement trailer shows that it is heavily inspired by the genre's kingpin. The studio plans to show more of the game on March 20, and life sim fans should definitely keep a close eye on it.
Mechabellum
Paradox Arc also announced the brand-new sci-fi auto-battler Mechabellum. Players will create armies of mechs, robots, and heavy weapons to duke it out against other players. Paradox is promising massive PvP battles filled with sci-fi carnage, and hopefully, it delivers. It seems to have everything that fans of auto-battlers could want with a sci-fi twist. Players can get their hands on this title on May 11, and they can register for the test server right now.
New DLC Packs
Paradox Interactive also revealed a bunch of new DLC packs for its biggest titles. One of the first announcements was for the Crusader Kings 3: Tours and Tournaments expansion pack. This DLC pack will expand the medieval grand strategy RPG with a host of new features that will make the world feel more alive. Players will be able to tour their monarch's realm, host and fight in grand tournaments, and even plan royal weddings. It should give the already complex game even more depth, and players can wishlist it right now.
Europa Universalis 4 is also getting a new expansion titled Domination. Domination will add new mission trees for the Ottoman Empire, China, Spain, France, and other nations. The DLC pack will also add many new units, new historical events, and new political estate management. It is set to launch sometime soon, and can also be wishlisted on Steam right now.
Surviving the Aftermath is getting an expansion pack called Rebirth which will let players terraform the world. It will also introduce new buildings for players to utilize and a new mechanic that will see them research and cure the Blight infestation. Across the Obelisk will also be getting an expansion pack called The Wolf Wars which will add a new character, new stories, and new skins. Finally, Paradox reminded Stellaris players that First Contact is releasing on March 14.
Paradox Interactive seems to have a lot of games on the way, and the studio also has loads of DLC on the horizon. It seems like a great time to be a fan, and hopefully, all of these games are as good as they sound. If they all meet expectations then 2023 will be a very big year for the studio.