Empyre: Lords of the Sea Gates

About

Empyre: Lords of the Sea Gates drops you in a drowned 1911 New York where survivors cling to crumbling cities. You manage a small group of characters, balancing exploration and base-building while fending off threats. Combat alternates between planning turns where you assign actions and real-time execution where everyone moves at once. Positioning and resource management matter as you navigate a world shaped by constant environmental hazards and enemy ambushes. The game’s hybrid combat system earns praise for keeping pace brisk while retaining tactical depth. Its post-flood setting leans into survival mechanics without overcomplicating the core loop. Players note the story unfolds through scattered logs and environmental storytelling rather than heavy dialogue. A niche but dedicated following highlights the game’s polished execution of retro RPG mechanics with modern streamlining.

Storyline

“New York City. 1911. It's been twelve long years since the waters came. Most people left. Headed inland to make a new life for themselves. But the brave and hardy few stayed behind to eke out a living in this new world of ours, one day in the hope that they may reclaim the land once the waters leave. But nothing has changed. Folks have settled into a new life, a new routine and a new way of living. Now a new threat looms. May we have the strength to survive this too.” From the diary of Samuel Webb dated September 25th, 1911