The Settlers: New Allies is a real-time strategy city-building game that combines detailed settlement construction with tactical combat on the PlayStation 4. Players manage resources, expand infrastructure, and command armies across a reimagined world featuring three distinct factions.
Gameplay
Core gameplay centers on establishing and growing settlements through resource collection and production chains. Players begin with limited settlers and structures, then expand by constructing farms, mills, quarries, and workshops that feed into one another to produce goods and military units. Carriers transport materials between buildings, keeping the economy flowing efficiently. Military elements involve recruiting warriors, siege units, and support troops, followed by research to unlock upgrades and specialized abilities. Each of the three factions brings unique building aesthetics, passive bonuses, and signature units that alter combat approaches. Battles unfold in real time, requiring players to balance economic growth with defensive positioning and offensive pushes against opponents or AI forces.
Game Modes
The single-player campaign follows a narrative across thirteen missions where players guide the Elari faction through challenges such as bandit raids and encounters with new cultures while learning core mechanics. Hardcore mode introduces additional scenarios with modifiers, altered conditions, and heightened AI difficulty for solo or cooperative play. Skirmish mode supports solo versus AI, cooperative versus AI, or player-versus-player matches with up to eight participants on multiple maps, allowing flexible team sizes and victory conditions focused on economic goals or territorial dominance.
Factions and Mechanics
The Elari emphasize cooperation and efficient building with reduced resource demands for certain structures. The Maru focus on harmony with nature and specialized defensive or support options. The Jorn bring a more aggressive, combat-oriented style suited to frontline engagements. Mechanics emphasize adaptability, as players must secure resources, claim land, and respond to threats while managing supply lines. Tutorial elements help newcomers grasp the interplay between economy and army composition before entering competitive or challenging scenarios.
Current State on PS4
The PlayStation 4 version launched with full access to campaign, hardcore, and skirmish content alongside cross-play support for online matches. The game remains available through standard digital storefronts and supports online multiplayer with the required subscription for console play. No major seasonal content cycles have been added since launch, leaving the core experience intact for new and returning players.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception has been mixed, with praise for the visual presentation and production chain depth alongside criticism of pacing and limited strategic variety. The title suits players who enjoy methodical city-building paired with real-time battles and faction-specific playstyles. Those seeking deep single-player stories or fast-paced competitive action may find the experience less engaging, while fans of the genre who value economic management and customizable skirmishes will find consistent replay value in the available modes. On PS4 it delivers the complete package through controller-optimized controls and cross-platform matchmaking.
