As Firaxis continues to polish Civilization 7, one of the most inventive challengers to the 4X game throne is continuing to prove a serious threat with the reveal of another new race. Endless Legend 2 is the successor to the beloved 2014 Amplitude Studios strategy game, and it’s already racked up more than 170,000 Steam wishlists as the developer prepares for its early access launch later in the year. Now, the studio reveals the second playable Endless Legend 2 faction, a hivemind race known as The Aspects.
We previously took a look at the first new Endless Legend 2 faction, the Kin of Sheredyn – a defensively minded band of stranded spacefarers aiming to reclaim their technology and find their lost leader. Joining them in the ranks of the much-anticipated new 4X game is The Aspects. A symbiosis of the organic and the machine, they’re connected by a shared mind called the Chorus and seek to spread harmony across Saiadha by distributing their unique coral terrain across the map.
Rather than using outposts to claim territory, The Aspects use coral spores that enhance the growth across nearby tiles. These can be used both as nodes to further the coral’s expansion and as the starting point for cities. The coral thrives best in the waters of Saiadha, and offers numerous benefits. It improves the growth and dust extraction of nearby cities, grants faster healing and movement for your troops, and even allows units to cross affected water tiles.
The Aspects are looking to connect all peoples in harmony, and when their coral reaches other populations, major or minor, it applies potent diplomatic bonuses thanks to the influence of the Chorus. Minor factions will be much more eager to join your empire, while major ones will become increasingly amenable to treaties and peace deals. Of course, you might worry that rivals will simply attempt to keep the coral away – but they’ll also gain economic benefits and even potential unique perks from its presence, so there’s incentive for them to let it grow.
Should their push for peace fall short, The Aspects can employ their unique coordination skills on the battlefield. Any units that prepare to defend will apply bonuses to the attacks of their allies. Their melee forces will typically lead the charge, softening up your foes for killing blows delivered at range by their archers and sky scales. The hivemind connection and spreading terrain certainly reminds me of StarCraft’s iconic Zerg, and I’m very eager to see how such a strategy plays out in the 4X format.
Endless Legend 2 is set to launch via Steam Early Access in 2025. You can wishlist it now or fill out the Amplitude Insiders Program survey if you’re eager to join their ongoing hands-on testing program.
Alternatively, take a look through the best fantasy games and the best grand strategy games you won’t want to miss in 2025.
You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.