Pax Autocratica
A satirical colony sim where the FPS expeditions and the totalitarian politics are the same game. Build the state, manage its citizens' fear and loyalty, then personally storm the battlefield. Early Access out Aug 10, 2026.
What is Pax Autocratica?
Pax Autocratica is a colony sim fused with an FPS roguelite, from developer Multiverse. You run a totalitarian colony — shaping citizens' fear, loyalty, bonds and feuds — and when it's time to expand, you personally drop into roguelite battlefields with your soldiers. The two halves feed each other: what you build at home powers what you can do in the field, and what you capture out there comes back to the colony.
It's played for satire, not solemnity. The colony-building side is a dark comedy about authoritarian states — think Papers, Please energy — while the combat side is a proper first-person shooter with roguelite runs. The tagline on the store page sets the tone: "Sacrifice the weak. Praise the Father."
How it plays
- Colony layer. Shape production, set policies, and manage citizens whose work, fear, loyalty, bonds and feuds all matter. Harsh rule keeps order but breeds rebellion.
- FPS roguelite layer. Lead expeditions into enemy sectors with your soldiers. Runs are roguelite — weapons, cores and builds change each time.
- The two layers connect. Prisoners you capture can be converted into true believers (or sacrificed). Expedition loot flows back into colony projects.
- Early Access with a live community. The developers did an AMA on r/Games at launch, and the official subreddit is already trading builds and early strategies.
Launch week has been good to it. Players on the official subreddit are the kind of hooked that makes you stop and check the clock — "Pax Autocratica almost made me pull an all-nighter at 36. I haven't done that in years. All for the glory of The Father." It's Early Access, so expect rough edges, but the core loop is clearly landing with people who like both RimWorld-style management and Helldivers-style action.
Steam price checked Sep 21, 2026: $29.99 full price. The launch discount (-17%, $24.89) has ended.
Worth a look if
- You like colony sims (RimWorld, Frostpunk) and want one with real action setpieces
- You like Helldivers-style squad shooters but want the strategy layer around them
- You appreciate games that are openly satirical about power, with a sense of humor
Wait if you want a finished game — this is Early Access. Content and systems are still being added, and the roadmap matters here.
Quick facts & FAQ
- Is it multiplayer? No — single-player only per the Steam listing.
- Is it on console? Not yet. The store page lists Windows only, no announced console ports.
- Does it have mods? No Steam Workshop support on the store page as of Aug 15, 2026.
- How long is an expedition? Roguelite runs are meant to be replayable — short runs, randomized builds, repeatable sectors.
- Is it like Helldivers? The combat side has similar energy, but the colony-management layer is half the game — it's its own hybrid.
Watch it
Official Early Access launch trailer: Pax Autocratica — Official Early Access Launch Trailer.