The Settlers: New Allies is a real-time strategy game that combines city building with direct control over military units on PlayStation 4. Players manage resource chains, expand settlements, and lead armies in conflicts across multiple factions and modes.
Gameplay
Core gameplay centers on establishing production lines for wood, stone, food, and metals. Carriers move goods between buildings while engineers claim territory and construct new structures. Resources convert into tools and weapons that recruit basic warriors, with further investment unlocking support units and siege options through research and gold or gem expenditure.
Three factions provide distinct starting advantages and unit options. The Elari emphasize building efficiency and feature a unique arbalist unit. The Maru focus on trade and coin generation alongside javelin fighters. The Jorn offer durability bonuses and berserker troops. Each faction maintains its own visual style and background while sharing the same fundamental economic and combat systems.
Matches begin with limited settlers and require careful placement of gathering sites, workshops, and defenses. Territory expansion through engineers determines access to resource veins, and naval options appear on maps with water access for trading harbors. Combat involves grouping units for attacks on enemy settlements or key objectives, with victory often hinging on balancing economy growth against military pressure.
Game Modes
The single-player campaign consists of 13 missions that follow the Elari faction as they establish new settlements and encounter rival groups. Objectives guide progression through story events, bandit raids, and cultural discoveries while teaching core mechanics.
Skirmish mode supports solo play against artificial intelligence, cooperative play against AI, or player-versus-player matches with up to eight participants total. Matches take place on a selection of maps and allow any of the three factions. Objectives range from economic targets to outright elimination of opponents.
Hardcore mode delivers standalone scenarios with added modifiers, restricted resources, and elevated difficulty settings. It supports solo or cooperative play against AI and emphasizes adaptability under pressure through varied victory conditions and environmental challenges.
Multiplayer and Online Features
Online play accommodates up to eight participants across the skirmish and hardcore options. Cross-platform functionality enables matches regardless of console or PC. Casual sessions focus on cooperative or competitive matches against AI with flexible mission goals, while dedicated PvP emphasizes direct competition on shared maps.
PS4 players require a PlayStation Plus subscription for online access. The game launched with all modes available on console versions and maintains the same feature set as the initial PC release.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback on The Settlers: New Allies remains mixed across platforms. User ratings on the PlayStation Store average 3.09 out of 5 from hundreds of submissions, while Steam reviews classify the title as mixed overall. The game appeals most to those seeking an accessible entry into real-time strategy with city-building depth and the option for online skirmishes against friends or AI.
It suits players who enjoy managing production chains and leading armies in shorter sessions rather than long-term grand strategy campaigns. Availability on PS4 through standard purchase or subscription services provides straightforward access for those interested in the faction variety and map-based multiplayer. Individuals preferring deeper economic simulation from earlier series entries or more polished competitive balance may find the systems lighter than expected.