Welcome to Wolsey.

It’s a world you may know, but this time we’re exploring it through a genre-defying experience. Many Xbox gamers are familiar with The Falconeer, one of the original launch titles for Xbox Series X | S, developed by Thomas Salla. Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is set in the same universe but explores a completely different genre. We’re moving away from flight-based action games to open-world, semi-procedurally generated simulation and strategy games.

Wolsey is a land of mysterious islands and rocky cliffs where you will build a new home. It combines elements found in many other simulation/city building games, but combines them in entirely new and sometimes baffling ways.

After a good introduction to the game’s features, you are free to let go of your chains and do as you please. There is only one rule: you can’t make mistakes. Build towers, terraces and bridges across the River Wolsey with the press of a button. Exactly what gets built depends on where you are in the world.

Hover close to an existing fortification and you’ll add terraces and foundations to the structure. Hover a little further away and you’ll build shiny new towers and a bridge to connect them. The game handles everything else. Build small houses and apartments along the bridges, creating synergies that work together to create a cohesive fortified city.

In addition to the more typical “standard” buildings, there are also special buildings that can be placed in a more targeted way. Lighthouses, ports and mining operations are just a few of the possibilities. These additions make your settlement even more diverse and allow you to progress further in the game.

While being able to build for free is great, there are some limitations. Firstly, you need resources to build certain structures. Iron, stone and wood can be found in various locations on the main island and neighboring islands, and you need to connect these resources to your main stronghold. As your trade flourishes, you will be able to expand further.

There is also the fascinating world of Ulithi to explore, which brings even more possibilities. You will encounter captains to hire for your merchant fleet, refugee camps that pledge their loyalty to you, and battleships to expand your fleet.

We’ll talk about battles shortly. Before that, let’s focus on the refugees and factions you may encounter in the vast ocean world of Ulithi. The refugee camps you encounter may be loyal to your cause, but you must be aware that they are also loyal to their own factions.

Anyone who has played The Falconeer will be familiar with some of the factions, such as the Mancer Order. These factions will settle in your camp and make their home. Increasing the number of citizens who join certain factions increases the chances of recruiting captains from those factions.

Controlling the Ursee

The controls are certainly unique and will take some getting used to, especially for PC gamers. If you use a mouse and keyboard, you’ll be surprised at how difficult it is to get used to the game’s controls. This certainly suggests that Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles is designed with console gamers in mind, as it’s one of the few simulator games I’ve played where I actually prefer playing with a gamepad.

There’s no world scrolling that experienced strategy players expect from this kind of game. Instead, you control an airship that you can use to travel around the world. Luckily, there’s a fast travel system; without it, it would have been a painful experience.

The game’s controls are an interesting mix of a third-person action game camera and a real-time strategy game. This also explains why playing with a gamepad feels more natural, since you can see the world from a third-person perspective rather than from above.

The combat itself is very easy. You recruit these amazing falconers and other warriors into your warband in your home settlement, and they join you. Visually, it’s a very versatile crew, with giant flocks of birds, flying machines, and more to support you wherever you go.

Whenever you join a battle, whether you’re attacking an enemy fortress or defending one of your trade routes, the battle is automatic. Keep an eye on everything and quit the battle when you feel like you can’t do it anymore. You can’t win!

As your population grows and your alliances with different factions grow, so will your flagship airships and warbands… You may lose some battles at first, but don’t be afraid to take risks in the future. Combat is not the main course in Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles, but it is certainly a nice side dish to round out the experience.

The beauty of simplicity

There are many positive things to be said about solo indie developer Tomas Sala and his one-man creation, The Falconeer. The simplicity of the chosen art style and the deliberate lack of textures is one of the key strengths of Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles. When playing away from the TV, it can be hard to see the fine details, but when you zoom in on the various procedurally generated structures, you’ll be truly amazed at the detail that appears. It’s an amazing world, isn’t it?

Exploring the Ursee

If you want to explore the vastness of Wolsey, just click anywhere on the map and your airship will happily sail towards your chosen destination. There are different factions in the world that want or demand something from you, and if you are at war with one of them, don’t worry.

The good news is that the world is not the only one with warring factions. You will meet a variety of interesting characters who will ask you to join their activities. You will become the captain of your own ship, giving your community certain characteristics and improving your battle fleet. Either way, exploration is a big part of the game. Sure, you can just sit on your island and slowly build up your fortress, but there’s a great sense of urgency to be had as you explore Ursee, an island that’s almost menacing with all sorts of weirdness and danger.

Don’t worry, this sense of urgency isn’t always there. To be honest, the beginning of the game is a bit overwhelming. Some people might quit after the first 20-30 minutes and think this game isn’t for them, but I hope you’ll stick with Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles a little longer. Once the world of Ursee really opens up, events become more frequent and hectic, and your actions have real consequences, the game becomes infinitely more exciting.

I used the word urgency, but I’d also describe this game with calmness and dedication. Unfortunately, “stripped down to the essentials” comes to mind at times. There’s a lot to do, and I haven’t seen every corner of the world yet, but as I play, I get the feeling that somehow, I could be doing more.

And most of the time, I’m not. If you’re looking for a deep city-building game, or even just falconer action and combat, Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles may disappoint. Accept the game for what it is and I’m sure you’ll enjoy playing it.

The Final Verdict

Bulwark: The Falconer Chronicles isn’t for everyone. It’s unconventional in how it controls, tells the story, and simulates the world, but it’s a really great way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon. Do you want a traditional strategy game or a city-building game? Look elsewhere. Do you want something run by a single developer who takes risks and does something new? Then Wolsey awaits.