For fans of real-time strategy titles like Civilization, Humankind represents a new experience within the 4X genre where they have the opportunity to rewrite the entire history of humanity, by combining different cultures and using their affinities, to create unique civilizations with no boundaries.
As players advance through the game, they will have the opportunity to choose from 60 cultures from six different eras of human history, with millions of possibilities to make their own empire and conquer the world by ultimately the highest possible international recognition.
That said, let’s take a look at every single culture and era available in Humankind, along with all their distinctive features like resources, traits, units, and more.
Humankind: Neolithic Era
As in the real world, every Humankind game will start from the Neolithic Era, with the only culture available being the Nomadic Tribe. Thanks to their trait “A Tribe’s Legacy”, you will be able to choose one of three legacy trait options through an event, after accruing 10 Science Knowledge from curiosities.
- Makers: Wattle and Daub – Gives +1 Industry per Population on City or Outpost
- Farmers: Plant Lore – Gives +1 Food per Population on City or Outpost
- Storytellers: Astronomy – Gives +1 Science per Population on City or Outpost
Its Emblematic Unit are the Nomads, special Units that gather Food through fighting and ransacking in order to multiply. To advance to the next era you will have to get 1 Era Star, which you can get by completing any of these three tasks:
- Hunter Star: Hunt a certain number of animals.
- Knowledge Star: Get a certain amount of Science by discovering curiosities.
- Growth Star: Get a certain population and/or unit count.
Humankind: Ancient Era
The next era within Humankind is the Ancient Era, previously known as Bronze Era. Here is when the real game begins, as you will have the ability to choose between the first of ten cultures of the game.
This era also unlocks the ability to build Cities, research technologies, create a religion, and so on. You will also have access to horses and copper, after researching Domestication and Bronze-working technologies respectively.
In order to advance to the next eras, you will need to obtain 7 out of 21 Era Stars, obtainable by completing generated objectives for your culture. This condition will repeat among the other eras from Humankind.
The cultural wonders of the Ancient Era include the Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Stonehenge, and the Temple of Artemis.
Culture |
Affinity |
Legacy Trait |
Emblematic Quarter / Unit |
Assyrians |
Expansionist |
Raid Masters
|
Dunnu / Assyrian Raiders |
Babylonians |
Scientist |
Brilliant Philosophers
|
Astronomy House / á¹¢äbu Ša Qašti |
Egyptians |
Builder |
Grand Planners
|
Egyptian Pyramid / Markabata |
Harappans |
Agrarian |
Fertile Inundations
|
Canal Network / Runner |
Hittites |
Militarist |
Lust for War
|
Awari / Gigir |
Mycenaeans |
Militarist |
Brutal Upbringing
|
Cyclopean Fortress / Promachoi |
Nubians |
Merchant |
Golden Dreams
|
Meroe Pyramids / Ta-Seti Archers |
Olmecs |
Aesthete |
Natural Harmony
|
Olmec Head / Javelin Throwers |
Phoenicicians |
Merchant |
Trading Pioneers
|
Haven / Bireme |
Zhou |
Aesthete |
Harmonious Thought
|
Confucian School / Zhànche |
Humankind: Classical Era
The Classical Era is marked by the large-scale smelting of iron, as well as the rapid growth of trade along with advances in mathematics and science.
In this era, Iron will be available after researching the Standing Army technology.
The cultural wonders of the Classical Era include the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, and the Statue of Zeus.
Culture |
Affinity |
Legacy Trait |
Emblematic Quarter / Unit |
Achaemenid Persians |
Expansionist |
Cyrus‘ Shadow
|
Satrap Palace / Immortals |
Aksumites |
Merchant |
Horn of Plenty
|
Great Obelisk / Shotelai |
Carthaginians |
Merchant |
Hard Bargainers
|
Cothon / War Elephant |
Celts |
Agrarian |
Druidic Lore
|
Nemeton / Gaesati |
Goths |
Militarist |
Nimble Pillage
|
Tumulus / Gothic Cavalry |
Greeks |
Scientist |
Socratic Methods
|
Amphitheatron / Hoplites |
Huns |
Militarist |
Formidable Steeds
|
Ordu / Hunnic Horde |
Mauryans |
Aesthete |
Guiding Light
|
Stūpa / SaṃnÄhya |
Maya |
Builder |
Tireless Spirit
|
K’uh Nah / Noble Javelineers |
Romans |
Expansionist |
Legion’s Finest
|
Triumphal Arch / Praetorian Guards |
Humankind: Medieval Era
The Medieval Era is marked by stunning architectural achievements, chivalry, large-scale migrations, the growth of state religions, feudalism, and an acceleration in military technology.
The cultural wonders of the Medieval Era include Angkor Wat, the Forbidden City, Notre Dame, and Tōdai-Ji.
Culture |
Affinity |
Legacy Trait |
Emblematic Quarter / Unit |
Aztecs |
Militarist |
Huitzilopochtli’s Legacy
|
Sacrificial Altar / Jaguar Warriors |
Byzantines |
Merchant |
Master of Whispers
|
Hippódromos / Varangian Guards |
English |
Agrarian |
Serfs‘ Labor
|
Stronghold / Longbowmen |
Franks |
Aesthete |
Crown Lands
|
Scriptorium / Franci Milites |
Ghanaians |
Merchant |
Life of Luxury
|
Luxuries Market / Meharists |
Khmer |
Builder |
Servants of Magnificence
|
Baray / Dhanvī-gaja |
Mongols |
Militarist |
Mounted Mayhem
|
Orda / Mongol Horde |
Norsemen |
Militarist |
Stormborn
|
Naust / Langskip |
Teutons |
Expansionist |
Spurred by Faith
|
Kaiserdom / Teutonic Knights |
Umayyads |
Scientist |
Learned Friends
|
Grand Mosque / Haras |
Humankind: Early Modern Era
The Early Modern Era is marked by renewed interest in science and technology, increased exploration and international commerce, growth in the fine arts, and the large-scale adoption of gunpowder.
In this era, Saltpetre will be available after researching Gunpowder Warfare technology.
The cultural wonders of the Early Modern Era include Machu Picchu, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, the Taj Mahal, and the Topkapi Palace.
Culture |
Affinity |
Legacy Trait |
Emblematic Quarter / Unit |
Dutch |
Merchant |
Stock Wisdom
|
V.O.C Warehouse / Fluyt |
Edo Japanese |
Aesthete |
Shogun’s Authority
|
Tera / Naginata Samurai |
Haudenosaunee |
Agrarian |
Land of Plenty
|
Three Sisters Plantation / Rotiskenrakehte |
Joseon |
Scientist |
Hall of Wothies
|
Seowon / Geobukseon |
Ming |
Aesthete |
Grand Secretariat
|
Grand Teahouse / Rocket Cart |
Mughals |
Builder |
Imperial Magnificence
|
Jama Masjid / Gajnal |
Ottomans |
Expansionist |
Supremacy of Fire
|
Sultan Camii / Janissaries |
Poles |
Militarist |
Deadly Ramparts
|
Barbican / Winged Hussars |
Spanish |
Expansionist |
Honor and Glory
|
Catedral Gótica / Conquistadores |
Venetians |
Merchant |
Silver Tongues
|
Botteghe Di Artisti / Galleass |
Humankind: Industrial Era
The Industrial Era is marked by the shift from an agrarian to an urban lifestyle, mass production, and the widespread use of coal, steel, and the steam engine.
In this era, you will have access to coal and oil, after researching the Steam Engine and Combustion Engine technologies respectively.
The cultural wonders of the Industrial Era include the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, and the Eiffel Tower.
Culture |
Affinity |
Legacy Trait |
Emblematic Quarter / Unit |
Austro-Hungarians |
Aesthete |
Emperor’s Hand
|
Opernhaus / Evidenzbureau Agents |
British |
Expansionist |
Colonial Riches
|
Colonial Office / Redcoats |
French |
Scientist |
Enlightened Thinking
|
Exhibition Hall / War Cuirassiers |
Germans |
Militarist |
Iron Ordnance
|
Coking Works / Uboat |
Italians |
Aesthete |
Inspiring Virtuosos
|
Teatro / Alpini |
Mexicans |
Agrarian |
Fields of Gold
|
Hacienda / Soldaderas |
Persians |
Builder |
Mighty Works
|
Caravanserai / Jazayerchis |
Russians |
Expansionist |
Land and Glory
|
Sobor / Cossacks |
Siamese |
Builder |
Gilded Orchids
|
Floating Market / Gatling Elephant |
Zulu |
Militarist |
Warrior’s Pride
|
Warrior’s Izindlu / Impi |
Humankind: Contemporary Era
The Contemporary Era is the last era within Humankind, marked by sharp growth in the discovery and exploitation of technologies in every facet of life–transportation, communication, agriculture, politics, finance and economics.
In this era, Aluminium and Uranium will be available after researching Aerial Warfare and Uranium Enrichment technologies respectively.
The cultural wonders of the Contemporary Era include the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House, and Christ the Redeemer.
Culture |
Affinity |
Legacy Trait |
Emblematic… |