Impire
A subterranean empire-building RTS drawing comparisons to Dungeon Keeper.
Impire is a real-time strategy video game developed by Cyanide Studios and published by Paradox Interactive. Released for Microsoft Windows via Steam on February 14, 2013, it drew initial press comparisons to Bullfrog Productions's Dungeon Keeper, a critically acclaimed real-time strategy game from 1997. Like Dungeon Keeper, Impire places the player in command of a subterranean empire, allowing them to construct buildings, recruit monsters, and engage minions in combat.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Impire
- Developer
- Cyanide Studios
- Publisher
- Paradox Interactive
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows
- Released
- February 14, 2013
- Genre
- Strategy, dungeon management
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the fictional universe of Impire, the player assumes the persona of Baʿal-Abaddon, a primordial evil summoned from Tartarus and imprisoned in the physical form of a demonic imp. Initially forced to serve the incompetent sorcerer Oscar van Fairweather, Baal-Abaddon eventually escapes van Fairweather's control and attempts to reconstruct his ancient, nefarious empire under the continent of Ardania.
Shortly after announcing the project on July 26, 2012, Yves Bordeleau, the Studio Director of Cyanide Montreal, indicated that Impire was in 'pre-pre-alpha' during his presentation to GameSpot staff. Throughout Bordeleau's demonstration, he frequently referenced the 'scenarios' in the single-player and co-operative campaign setting, suggesting that the structure of the game is predominantly mission-based.
Impire received 'unfavorable' reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.
Reader's Guide
Impire occupies a niche in the real-time strategy landscape of the early 2010s as a title that explicitly evoked the legacy of Bullfrog Productions's Dungeon Keeper. Its initial press reception centered on this comparison, highlighting the game's focus on commanding a subterranean empire, constructing buildings, recruiting monsters, and directing minions in combat—mechanics that directly echoed the 1997 classic. The game's setting, featuring the primordial evil Baʿal-Abaddon imprisoned as an imp and forced to serve a sorcerer before escaping to rebuild his empire under Ardania, provided a narrative framework for its mission-based structure. Development was announced in July 2012, with Cyanide Montreal's Studio Director describing the project as being in 'pre-pre-alpha' at that time. The game's single-player and co-operative campaign was described as predominantly scenario-driven. Ultimately, Impire's reception was unfavorable according to Metacritic, marking it as a title that, despite its lineage, did not achieve the critical success of the game it was compared to. Its significance lies in its attempt to revive the dungeon-management subgenre within a modern RTS context, though it failed to garner widespread acclaim.
Did You Know?
- The player character is Baʿal-Abaddon, a primordial evil imprisoned as a demonic imp.
- Impire received 'unfavorable' reviews on Metacritic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed and published Impire?
Cyanide Studios handled the development work, while Paradox Interactive served as the publisher.
What is Impire and what do you actually do in it?
It is a real-time strategy title in which you command an underground empire, building structures, recruiting monsters, and sending your minions into combat against rivals.
When was Impire released and on what platform?
The game launched on February 14, 2013, exclusively for Microsoft Windows and distributed through Steam.
What is Impire most commonly compared to?
Early press reviews likened it to Bullfrog Productions' 1997 classic Dungeon Keeper, since both put the player in charge of a subterranean domain where you expand, recruit creatures, and defend your holdings.
How did critics receive Impire at launch?
The game received an unfavorable rating on Metacritic, reflecting largely negative critical reception upon its 2013 release.
More in Real-Time Strategy Games of the 2010s 1-22
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