Endzone 2 – Review

Where does the Zone end?

We're having a year full of pleasant surprises in gaming. Playing a recently released strategy game is rare, considering that today's most popular genres are shooters, sports games, and action RPGs.

As I've said in other reviews, I grew up in a house where strategy games were 'daily play' on the family computer, and they still are today! That is, of course, if I manage to get my hands on something new and good... Unfortunately, as time passed, people started to forget about RTSs, strategy games, and classic point-and-click adventure games, which you'd play on weekends or after school to 'reset' your brain. Fewer and fewer titles from the aforementioned genres have seen the light of day in recent years.

However, there's one exception worth mentioning: Tempest Rising – a phenomenal RTS, but one that, unfortunately, didn't get the popularity it deserved.

But let's not forget we're here to talk about Endzone 2! So, the burning question is: "Is Endzone 2 a good game that manages to bring the RTS genre back into the monitor's spotlight in 2025?"

For some time, I'd known about the first Endzone title, from some passionate relatives who played it on Steam. Big fans of the Fallout series and, generally, post-apocalyptic and survival-themed games, it was clear they couldn't miss such a title.

The first game, however, somehow passed me by. Although I knew about it, I wasn't convinced it was my type – it didn't seem, at first glance, a city builder in the true sense of the word. I also had reservations that it might be another Frostpunk, the 11 Bit Studios version.

The game, by the way, was well-received and appreciated. However, with a massive emphasis on survival and a high level of difficulty, full of tough decisions and tense moments where an ill-advised choice could lead to your exclusion from the community, Endzone seemed more like a stressful title for someone looking for a relaxing and peaceful experience.

Now, with the opportunity to get my hands on Endzone 2, I can honestly say I judged a book by its cover. Endzone 2 is a surprisingly relaxing game and, unlike most post-apocalyptic titles, chooses to focus on the bright side of the end of the world: reconstruction, rebuilding, and rebalancing a community that wants to live in harmony and survive without chaos.

Seeing this approach from the first minutes of the tutorial, I thought: "Hold on... let me install the first game in the series too, so I can make a proper comparison between the two." With a little feedback from acquaintances and a quick look on Steam, I quickly got an idea: the game was, for the most part, a success in the strategy genre. Surprisingly, the developers even managed to release physical versions for last-gen and current-gen consoles, which include both the game and the expansion.

From what I've read and discussed with other players, the first Endzone is simpler and quite different from the sequel. If we look on Steam, the community was divided: some preferred the original, others the new game, at least until it left Early Access, when Endzone 2 still hadn't implemented certain important elements, such as raiders.

With the release of version 1.0, the hope is that the new update will manage to bring the community together, especially since the developers have already confirmed plans for future updates.

And, speaking of version 1.0, one of the most interesting new elements is worth mentioning: the ability to explore the map using the new bus (or "old bus," if we refer to the first game), which used to be a static base. Now, the bus can be placed anywhere on the map, allowing you to explore ruins, access diverse missions, and discover random loot, all of which contribute to a more dynamic and unpredictable experience.

Any mechanic that increases a game's replayability is always a plus. However, one drawback must be mentioned: visibility during expeditions is rather poorly optimised, which can become frustrating. Fortunately, it's the kind of problem that can be easily fixed with a future patch.

What manages to compensate for this inconvenience is the quest system, which is well-built and captivating enough to keep you engrossed in the game and make you overlook the minor imperfections.

Like any German studio specialising in strategy games, Gentlymad Studios hasn't forgotten the emphasis on resource management and strategic planning, both of which are considerably improved compared to the first title. The new zonal system (completely different from the vast map in the original game) forces you to be much more careful about how you expand and what resources you send to the explorable regions.

I reiterate: the degree of replayability is huge. You have three distinct game modes at your disposal:

• Tutorial Mode

• Classic Survival Mode

• Goal-Oriented Mode

Each comes with customisable settings for winning objectives, as well as an adjustable difficulty system, suitable for both casual and hardcore players. The dynamic and ever-changing environment helps keep the gameplay fresh, but not everything is perfect.

The random generation of maps sometimes leaves something to be desired: certain areas seem placed without logic or coherence, which can negatively affect the gameplay experience. A better calibrated system for configuring starting conditions would be needed.

I wish I could say something about the game's story...

Unfortunately, it seems more and more studios are choosing not to include a classic story mode in such games. And, as expected, Endzone 2 is no exception.

If I were to give a positive example from 2025, I'd mention Tempest Rising, which successfully ticks this box. But it's more of an exception than a rule. And, yes, it's somewhat understandable: being an indie studio with a small team, a story mode would entail additional costs and resources. Perhaps in an expansion... or why not, in a third title?

The reason I bring up the lack of a story is personal: I've always preferred single-player games. That doesn't mean, however, that I couldn't imagine a co-op mode, where you play alongside a friend, something like the cooperative missions recently added to Stronghold Crusader DE. No PvP, no competition, just collaboration in survival and city building. Perhaps, who knows... in a future expansion?

And, since I've aired my grievances about what I'd like, let's talk about the game's strengths.

I have nothing but praise for the graphics. Unlike the first title, Endzone 2 looks much, much better! Even surprisingly good, especially compared to other indie strategy games on the market. I took a few minutes just to zoom in and analyse the environmental objects in detail; the small details on the assets are top-notch. I'm convinced the screenshots in the article will look excellent.

Obviously, if it's graphically more demanding than the first game, the natural question arises: how is the optimisation?

I did a little experiment before writing this review. I went to the mountains with my laptop in my backpack – a model with an nVidia 1060 graphics card and only 4 GB of VRAM. Before leaving, I checked if the game ran decently. At launch, I received a warning that at least 6 GB of VRAM were needed, but, surprise! the title ran smoothly on medium-high settings, even on this modest configuration.

So I quietly enjoyed a cold beer and a city building session in the mountain gazebo, with fresh air and peace – exactly what I needed.

It's a bit difficult to write a completely objective review and maintain a balanced tone when analysing a game like this. Perhaps you're wondering: is Endzone 2 a good game or not?

But perhaps the correct question would be another: do you like strategy games, like Anno, The Settlers etc.? If the answer is "yes," then it's very likely that you'll also find Endzone 2 to be a solid 7. It is, without a doubt, a pleasant surprise coming from an increasingly rarely approached gaming niche. It comes with many improvements over the first title, promises even more content in the future, and the developers are active and open to community feedback.

So, if you feel the need for a relaxing city builder in which to invest tens or even hundreds of hours, Endzone 2 is definitely worth a shot. And if it grabs you, I recommend giving direct feedback to the developers; they're on the right track and open to suggestions.

As a concluding note, I give it a 7.6, with the mention that this score reflects not only the current state of the game but also the immense potential it has for the future.

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Played on: PC
Release date: 26 July 2025
Developer:  Gentlymad Studios
Publisher: Assemble Entertainment