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Classic strategy is having a moment. Between a decades-old RTS getting its first new campaign in years and a beloved 4X finally leaving Early Access, this week gave strategy, simulation and platform fans plenty to actually act on. Here’s what matters for your next session, patch or pre-order.
| Story | Category | Key Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endless Legend 2 | Strategy Release | 1.0 launched 17 September, $49.99, adds the Sandshapers faction | Early Access is over, the full game is ready now |
| Warcraft III: Reforged | Strategy Release | Free 3.0 update plus a $29.99 Forsaken Kingdom campaign, 12 September | First new campaign in 20+ years, and the overhaul is free for every owner |
| Cities: Skylines II | Simulation Update | Patch 1.6.2f1 plus Expansion Pass 2 ($44.99), 15 September | Real mod-compatibility risk alongside a genuine bundle discount |
| Anno 117: Pax Romana | Simulation Patch | Patch 2.1 fixes a PS5 crash-on-load bug, 17 September | Console players should update straight away |
| Transport Fever 3 | Worth Watching | Releases 29 September; Collector’s Edition capped at 10,000 copies | Last full week to plan a pre-order before launch |
| The Guild 1 Remake: Europa 1410 | Community Pick | Early Access launch 17 September; early reviews flag UI/UX issues | A deep sandbox sim worth watching before buying in |
🎯 Quick Wins
Endless Legend 2 is out of Early Access. Amplitude’s turn-based fantasy 4X hit version 1.0 on 17 September, exactly a year after Early Access began, with a sixth playable faction (the Sandshapers) and two new rogue factions added. The base price stays at $49.99 even with everything added, so if you were waiting out Early Access, this is the moment to jump in.
Warcraft III: Reforged just got a free overhaul. Alongside the paid Forsaken Kingdom campaign ($29.99), Blizzard shipped version 3.0 free to every Reforged owner: over 600 rebuilt units, new World Editor tools and the first new hero unit in more than 20 years. Grab the free update regardless of whether you buy the campaign.
Anno 117: Pax Romana’s Patch 2.1 fixes a nasty PS5 crash. If you’ve been avoiding loading old saves on console, the 17 September patch specifically targets that bug, alongside several specialist and multiplayer fixes. Console players should update straight away.
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🧠 Strategy Spotlight: Cities: Skylines II’s Autumn Breeze Patch and Expansion Pass 2
Paradox shipped two things at once on 15 September: patch 1.6.2f1, “Autumn Breeze,” and Expansion Pass 2 ($44.99, roughly 24% cheaper than buying the packs separately).
The patch itself is a solid, unglamorous update. It brings better garbage truck logic, fairer company renting priorities, improved tree rendering and water flow fixes, following on from the Summer Solstice patch back in June.
The catch is a rebuilt UI framework underneath it all, and the developers themselves warn it “can cause side effects to a limited number of mods.” If your city relies on a handful of key mods, hold off updating until they’ve confirmed compatibility. If you’re running mod-free, there’s no reason to wait.
Expansion Pass 2 is the more interesting strategic decision. It bundles a downtown market set, a Scottish-themed map, the “Park Adventures” pack (100+ assets across five park, zoo and nature-reserve maps) and a new seasonal tourism system called “City Vacations.” At nearly a quarter off buying everything piecemeal, it’s a genuine bundle discount if you were already planning to pick up two or more of the individual packs, but skip it if you only want one feature. If you’re still finding your feet with the base game, our beginner mistakes guide is worth a read before you add more systems to manage.
👀 Worth Watching
Transport Fever 3 now has a firm release date, 29 September, with pricing confirmed across PC and console ($49.99-$74.99 depending on edition). The Collector’s Edition is capped at just 10,000 physical copies worldwide, so don’t wait if you want one. Transport Fever 2 owners get 10% off for two weeks after launch.
Elsewhere, Relic confirmed a Company of Heroes Definitive Edition is coming in early 2027, rebuilding the 20-year-old original on modern architecture while staying compatible with existing mods. There’s nothing to buy yet, but paired with Warcraft III’s revival this week, it’s a real sign that classic RTS is getting serious reinvestment again.
💬 Community Corner
The Guild 1 Remake: Europa 1410 launched into Early Access on 17 September, and early impressions are mixed in an instructive way, reviewers are calling it “a deep sandbox sim with UI/UX issues.” It’s a good pickup if you love the trade-and-politics sandbox style and don’t mind rough edges, but if clunky menus are a dealbreaker for you, this is one to watch rather than buy on day one.
⏭️ Next Week’s Prep
Mark your calendar for two dates: The Sims 4’s September update lands 22 September with a major console crash fix, and Transport Fever 3 launches 29 September. If you’re chasing that Collector’s Edition, this is your last full week to decide before stock becomes a real question.
Note: platform games had a quiet week overall. The one release worth a passing mention is Knuckle Jet, a co-op precision platformer that launched 15 September, but nothing else in that category cleared the bar for actionable news this week.
Continue Your Journey
Catch up on last week’s Strategy Sessions Weekly if you missed the AoE3 patch breakdown.
