Times Of Progress is an elegant, focussed city builder set during the Industrial Revolution

Times Of Progress holds a significant place in my heart as it was the first news tip I received from Sin Vega, the Prime Minister of Strategy Gaming. Sin once likened writing news articles for our former news editor Alice0 (RPS in peace) to practicing backflips in front of a kung fu master. Taking Sin’s suggestion to write about a new city builder feels like being invited to budget the development of Londinium by Julius Caesar himself.

The fear of making mistakes, alongside other distractions like international games industry conferences, has delayed me from writing about Times Of Progress for months. But today, I gather my courage and step out to share my thoughts with the masses, hoping Caesar is too preoccupied with other matters to notice any errors.

To start with, the introductory analogy belongs to the wrong millennium. Times Of Progress is set during the Industrial Revolution – a time of steam engines, trade unions, and high-density urban housing. The game’s presentation and aesthetic immediately catch the eye. In a procedurally generated Isometric Land, roads and railways connect diamond-shaped town layouts. The clean and pleasing color scheme of pale earth, red brick, and green hills is enhanced by animated details like smoke plumes and evolving buildings.

While some may label Times Of Progress as “minimalist,” it offers plenty of systems, many of which are directly tied to the historical period it represents.

Scientific innovations and technologies like typewriters, water frames, and electrolysis unfold on a timeline as part of the wider Industrial Revolution. These advancements impact your city and other AI-run cities on the map. By meeting specific goals, you can earn points to import new technologies and access them sooner. Trade plays a significant role in Times Of Progress as there is no military aspect, and interactions with other cities are primarily commercial.

Labor politics also come into play, with workers going on strike if conditions are not met. You can choose to meet their demands or use force. As the game progresses, workers may unionize, becoming more costly but more efficient. Those with higher education may be more inclined to strike.

I appreciate the balance that Times Of Progress strikes between the enjoyment of building and historical accuracy. I look forward to Sin’s more detailed insights on the game in the new year. For now, you can learn more about Times Of Progress on Steam. The developer, Pressing Thumbs Games, is a solo developer based in Berlin, utilizing the Rust programming language and the Bevy Engine. The studio’s name translates to crossing fingers for good luck in German.