New Cycle: Rebuild Human Civilisation in the Aftermath of a Solar Flare

New Cycle is a post-apocalyptic city-building and management simulation that focuses on the resilience and rebirth of human civilisation following a catastrophic solar flare. It combines the traditional joy of city-building with a stark, survivalist edge—balancing population needs, infrastructure, and societal development in a world where nature has reclaimed most of Earth. With stunning visuals, a dynamic weather system, and an evolving narrative, it delivers a grounded, human take on the future.

Plot and Setting

In the aftermath of a massive solar cataclysm, the world has descended into ruin. Modern technology is reduced to ashes, infrastructure is fragmented, and survivors are left to rebuild from scratch. The setting is near-future Earth, but stripped of convenience, stability, and global networks.

You lead a small band of survivors tasked with founding a new civilisation amid the crumbling remnants of the old world. The narrative touches on themes of renewal, loss, and adaptation, with decisions affecting the ideological and cultural path of your new society. As the game progresses, your humble village may evolve into a beacon of hope—or a rigid authoritarian state—depending on your leadership style.

Gameplay Mechanics

Survival-Oriented City-Building:
- Start small with manual labor, foraging, and basic shelters.
- Develop into a functioning society with power grids, education systems, security, and advanced industry.
- The post-apocalyptic environment introduces unique challenges: radiation zones, toxic weather, and scavenging expeditions.
Societal Development and Class Systems:
- Populations are divided into social classes (e.g., workers, engineers, researchers), each with distinct needs and roles.
- Citizens age, gain skills, and have morale that must be maintained with housing, health, education, and entertainment.
- Later-game systems include governance, laws, and societal ethics—will you build a free republic or a survivalist regime?
Resource and Logistics Management:
- Oversee production chains from raw materials to high-tech goods.
- Resource scarcity and environmental hazards require careful logistics and long-term planning.
- Includes power generation, farming, industry, and pollution control, all affected by terrain and climate.
Dynamic Weather and Environment:
- The world is hostile and unpredictable:
  - Droughts, toxic storms, radiation spikes, extreme winters
  - Terrain conditions affect building efficiency and safety.
- Environmental recovery and adaptation are as important as expansion.
Tech Tree and Research Progression:
- Unlock new tools and buildings through research.
- Decide whether to rebuild old-world tech or pursue new, sustainable alternatives.
- Includes sectors like robotics, medicine, education, and transportation.

Themes

Rebirth After Collapse: Civilisation has fallen, but hope remains. You’re not just surviving—you’re deciding what humanity becomes next.
Balance of Progress and Ethics: Do you industrialise quickly to survive, or preserve nature and quality of life?
Resilience and Adaptability: Every decision matters, especially when a cold snap or dust storm could end everything.
Human Agency in a Broken World: Rather than relying on pre-apocalypse systems, players must relearn, reinvent, and redefine society.

Visuals and Audio

New Cycle stands out with a detailed, cinematic visual style, capturing both the decay of the old world and the emerging beauty of new beginnings. The environment evolves as your city grows—from bleak ruin to lush, bustling settlements powered by wind, steam, or solar.

UI and overlays are clean and modern, while animations for workers, buildings, and environmental effects (like storms or ashfalls) are immersive and polished.

The audio design is subtle but atmospheric—quiet ambient music is layered with natural sounds, machinery, and radio chatter, creating an immersive, grounded tone throughout.

Have you played New Cycle? What’s your favourite part of it? We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know:

Is the new cycle a city building game?

New Cycle is a post-apocalyptic city-building and management simulation that focuses on the resilience and rebirth of human civilisation following a catastrophic solar flare.