Sounds like a lot to take in, especially considering that the final game will have a campaign, 16 person multiplayer and a sandbox mode where you can truly flex all of this wonderful information. Players will also have a choice between three different campaign configurations, each with their own variables that dictate how the game will flow. The 2020 setting is close to how the world stands today, with international political, religious and economic data per region and even the tensions between them. Although Supreme Ruler 2020 is technically set in the near future, this is the mode for those who’d like to take the reins today and see how it all turns out. The other two situational selections, however, pour some Tabasco into the pot, and set some lofty goals for the potential sovereign. In “Shattered” (a return favorite from the first game) the global economy has been dashed against the rocks, and a fragmented United States has lost its super power status. Some reassembly required, but that’s nothing in comparison to “Melting Point”, which sees international tensions stretched to the limit.

The bellicose will want to try Melting Point to experience a quicker, more volatile global situation that cuts straight to the chase and foregoes diplomatic alternatives, although you can try if you like. Those who like to have their freedom will be more interested in the sandbox mode, in which one can choose any region on the globe and take over or comply any which way they choose. I was made aware of one scenario in particular called “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” in which the player is tasked with guiding a military garrison from Colorado all the way to the nation’s capital in two weeks. Sure, you could fight your way through, or perhaps take a more peaceful approach through diplomacy, but that would take far too long! Perhaps it’s all in the route you take? I heard the Great lakes are lovely this time of year.

Though you may only have a fortnight to make it halfway across the purple mountains majesty, that’s a drop in the bucket compared to how long a typical game can go. Months in some cases, and depending on how involved the player wants to get a game could go even longer. That’s the beauty of strategy, it can be a thought flicked from razor tongued politicos and enacted by aviator clad generals in an instant, but it can also take it’s time to brew, go through the right channels, and eventually strike with more venom than a bushmaster. It’s only a matter of time before champagne is toasted and the first page on a new world order is turned.

The folks at BattleGoat are passionate about their work and from what I’ve played it shows. Between the upgraded interface and graphics to the meticulous nature in which all of the information was gathered there is a lot of promise in store for strategy fans this summer. Stay tuned to this spot for my review of the complete Supreme Ruler 2020 next month.