Mandate Order

Mandate Order

Early access since Aug 2026

Mandate Order is a Warring States war city-builder set in ancient China. Build a stronghold, manage industries and logistics, recruit scholars from the Hundred Schools of Thought, raise armies, and command real-time tactical battles with thousands of soldiers.

80% positive · 1,362 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam $19.99
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Evaluation

Mandate Order entered Steam Early Access on August 12, 2026, and the developer, Digital Sky, has maintained an active and transparent weekly update cadence ever since. Since launch, the game has received multiple substantive patches — on August 27, September 3, and September 17 — covering new features, new maps, combat improvements, performance optimizations, and numerous bug fixes. Most notably, the September 17, 2026 patch notes (the most recent developer communication, posted just one day before this assessment) include an explicit preview of what is coming next: upgrades to 12 building systems, a decoration placement system, a loot system, and an all-new photo mode, all scheduled for the following week's maintenance window. A seasonal discount of up to 20% is also planned for the Steam autumn sale in early October 2026. The developer has been consistent and communicative throughout the Early Access period, with no gaps or signs of slowdown. There is no studio distress signal of any kind. The game is actively being developed with specific, named content already announced and imminent.
Evidence
Patch notes explicitly preview upcoming content for the following week: upgrades to 12 building systems, decoration placement, a loot system, and an all-new photo mode. A 20% autumn sale discount is also planned for early October 2026.
news post · Sep 17, 2026 source content planned
high
Mandate Order officially launched into Early Access on August 12, 2026, with the developer describing it as the start of an ongoing Early Access period supported by continued development funding from sales revenue.
news post · Aug 12, 2026 source development ongoing
high

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Digital Sky
Achievements
40
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player

About this game

Mandate Order is an ancient war simulation and city-building game set in ancient China, combining construction, management, and tactical strategy.

The game features free-form city-state construction, a retainer system inspired by the Hundred Schools of Thought, dynamic seasonal and weather changes, and large-scale real-time tactical battles. Under the constant threat of enemy invasion, you will build and manage an ancient military stronghold that integrates production, defense, and warfare.

Mandate Order Gameplay

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1. “Build” — City-State Construction, Free Planning, Seasonal Farming, Spring Plowing and Summer Cultivation

A gridless free-building system allows you to construct everything from residences and farms to workshops and barracks, forming a complete urban production chain.

The game features rich farming, building, gathering, and production systems. A full annual production cycle brings seasonal changes that affect not only the visual atmosphere, but also city management and the rhythm of marching and warfare.

2. "Stratagem"— Retainers, the Hundred Schools of Thought, Diplomacy, National Policies, Alliances and Rivalries

Rule like a city lord or feudal ruler: integrate different schools of thought, formulate diplomatic strategies, and shape your own philosophy of governance. Make choices such as forming alliances, declaring ceasefires, opening trade, or joining forces against powerful enemies. A nine-grid national policy system works together with court debates, while the schools of your retainers influence the direction of policy.

Recruit retainers from Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, Legalism, Militarism, Agriculturalism, and other schools. Assign them to city governance, military command, diplomatic negotiation, and national policy development. Different combinations create unique gameplay experiences.

3. "Conquer"— Strategy Before Battle, Thousand-Unit Warfare, Line-Drawing Formations, and Physical Siege Combat

Use simple mouse line-drawing commands to quickly deploy formations, enabling tactics such as encirclement, breakthrough, siege assault, and defense. Chariot charges, fortress warfare, thousand-unit battlefields, and a pseudo-physics knockback system create an immersive ancient warfare experience.

Build a complete fortress defense system with walls, towers, catapults, ballistae, and more. Plan your military architecture around walls and defensive structures, with enhanced physical feedback to make battlefield impact more tangible.

4. "Worship"— Follow the Seasons in Farming and War; Answer Heaven’s Mandate Through Ritual

Offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth to pray for the fortune of your state. The ritual system affects natural disasters, calamities, and event outcomes. How you respond to these trials will become a test of your judgment and morality.

As the old saying goes: fortune and misfortune depend upon each other. After a devastating disaster, could there also be a hidden opportunity for growth?

5. "Reform"— Industrial Coordination, Logistics Above All

Through technological development, building upgrades, and logistics systems, you will experience not only the advancement of tools and techniques, but also the deeper transformation of institutions and civilization.

Raw materials such as timber, ore, and grain go through gathering, processing, storage, and distribution to form a complete industrial chain.

Depending on the sandbox environment and your available resources, you must constantly adjust your strategy, strengthen your state through reform, and renew old systems to survive and grow.

Key Features of Mandate Order

  • 🔸 A unique Eastern war city-building experience rooted in China’s Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods

  • 🔸 A Hundred Schools of Thought retainer system, with different schools enabling different playstyles

  • 🔸 Gridless free-form construction and a deep logistics system

  • 🔸 Large-scale real-time tactical battles, including chariot charges and fortress warfare

  • 🔸 Dynamic seasons and weather, natural disasters, and a ritual system

  • 🔸 Diplomacy and national policy systems that extend strategic depth

  • 🔸 Sandbox mode with multiple ways to play

Recommended For Players Who Enjoy

City-building, war simulation, Eastern tactics, city management, resource management, and strategic decision-making.

Follow the Game

Follow us for ongoing development updates and gameplay information.

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We believe that a truly complete game is not born in a closed development environment. It is shaped through continuous dialogue with players.

With respect and dedication, we look forward to your criticism, suggestions, and feedback.

Last evaluated Sep 18, 2026
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