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Doodle Empires

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux • 2025

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Quick resume

Doodle Empires is an alternate history sandbox game all about drawing your own nations with your own histories and stories in a variety of maps. Watch your world take shape and evolve over time, and decide which nations will rise and which nations will fall.

Global score

92/100

Genres

Indie, Simulator, Strategy, Early Access

Pros

  • High creative freedom and map customization
  • Addictive and relaxing gameplay
  • Good replayability and niche appeal
  • Emergent storytelling and worldbuilding
  • Fair price for scope

Cons

  • Frequent bugs and lag issues
  • Lack of tutorial and ui polish
  • Repetitive rng card draws
  • No multiplayer or social features
  • Slow saving and occasional crashes

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have high control over map creation, nation building, and event likelihoods, allowing personal freedom in shaping the world."

  • Competence
    2

    "The game involves some skill in managing cards and map painting, but many tasks are simple and repetitive with limited technical challenge."

  • Competition
    -4

    "Focus is on personal creative play and storytelling without ranked modes or direct player comparison."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Many players report long play sessions and high replayability, often playing for hours or returning repeatedly."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "The game is a single-player sandbox with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay elements."

  • Creativity
    5

    "Core gameplay centers on creating and customizing maps, nations, and stories with extensive creative freedom."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are sandbox and personal."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game to relax, escape reality, and immerse themselves in imaginative worldbuilding."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and intrinsic motivation rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Players experiment with different map settings, event probabilities, and scenarios to explore new outcomes."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Exploration is more conceptual through discovering new map configurations and nation interactions rather than physical navigation."

  • Expression
    5

    "Strong emphasis on self-expression through map painting, nation design, and lore creation."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Players create fictional worlds and histories, blending imaginative scenarios with some realistic geography."

  • Fellowship
    -4

    "Minimal social connection; primarily a solo experience without community integration in gameplay."

  • Growth
    2

    "Some learning involved in mastering mechanics and managing events, but limited structured personal development."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires active engagement and attention; not designed for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building; interactions are limited to solo play."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; player controls only their own experience."

  • Progression
    3

    "Progression occurs through expanding nations, unlocking cards, and evolving the map over turns."

  • Relaxation
    4

    "Many players find the game relaxing and a good way to unwind despite some frustration with bugs."

  • Sensation
    1

    "Visuals are simple and functional; sensory stimulation is moderate and not a primary focus."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story
    4

    "Players create and immerse themselves in emergent narratives and histories through gameplay."

  • Strategy
    1

    "Some strategic decision-making in card management and nation expansion, but largely simple and RNG-driven."

  • Thrill
    0

    "Game provides low suspense or risk; experience is calm with occasional mild tension from RNG."

  • Value
    3

    "Generally considered worth the price by players who enjoy the niche gameplay despite bugs."

  • Violence
    -3

    "Combat is abstract and represented by map changes rather than direct violent action."

  • Survival
    0

    "No explicit survival mechanics; focus is on worldbuilding rather than threat avoidance."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026