Diplomacy is Not an Option

Diplomacy is Not an Option is a base-building real-time strategy game developed and published by Door 407. It launched in Early Access on February 9, 2022 and reached its full 1.0 release on October 4, 2024 for PC on Steam. The game casts you as a medieval feudal lord who must build settlements, raise massive armies, and survive relentless waves of thousands of enemies on procedurally generated maps.

About the Game

Diplomacy is Not an Option takes the classic tower defense and base-building loop and scales it up dramatically. You face enemies numbering in the tens of thousands per wave, which means smart fortification, resource management, and army composition are all essential. Furthermore, the tone mixes medieval fantasy with dark humor — you are a lord in a midlife crisis, pulled from bureaucratic tedium into an impossible war for survival. That self-aware humor keeps the experience entertaining even as the difficulty escalates.

The game completed its journey from Early Access to a well-received full release, giving it a complete and polished campaign structure. The procedurally generated maps ensure that each run offers a different layout and set of strategic challenges. Additionally, the combination of city-building and RTS combat is executed with enough depth to satisfy both strategy and survival fans. It punches well above its budget in scope and ambition.

Key Features

Massive Enemy Waves

Thousands of enemies storm your position in each wave, requiring carefully layered defenses to survive. The scale of the attacks is what defines the game’s identity. Furthermore, the sense of being overwhelmed while just barely holding on is the core tension. No other base-builder operates at quite this scale.

Base Building and Fortification

You construct towns, upgrade buildings, and design defensive structures to withstand each assault. The building layer gives you strategic control over how you shape your defenses. As a result, every decision about where to build and what to prioritize carries real consequences. Your base is your most important weapon.

Procedurally Generated Maps

Each run takes place on a procedurally generated map that changes your terrain, starting position, and strategic options. That variety ensures no two campaigns play out identically. Moreover, the randomness forces you to adapt your usual strategies rather than rely on a memorized layout. It adds replayability to an already long experience.

Army Management

You raise and manage armies that fight alongside your static defenses. Balancing unit composition and deployment against different enemy types is an important tactical layer. In addition, your army evolves as your town grows and more advanced units become available. The military management deepens the strategy beyond pure tower placement.

Games Like This

Similar Game	Key Difference	Best For
They Are Billions	They Are Billions is a post-apocalyptic RTS where you survive zombie swarms. Diplomacy is Not an Option uses a medieval fantasy setting with similar wave survival mechanics.	Players who enjoy base-building survival strategy against massive enemy hordes.
Stronghold: Definitive Edition	Stronghold focuses on historical medieval castle management and siege warfare. Diplomacy is Not an Option emphasizes survival against endless fantasy enemy waves.	Players who want medieval base-building with RTS combat and progression.
Kingdoms and Castles	Kingdoms and Castles is a lighter, more relaxed medieval city builder. Diplomacy is Not an Option is more challenging and focused on defensive survival under pressure.	Players who want medieval strategy with intense wave-survival pressure.

Game Details

Developer: Door 407
Publisher: Door 407
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Early Access Date: February 9, 2022
Full Release Date: October 4, 2024
Genre: Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie, Simulation, Strategy

System Requirements

The requirements are reasonable for a strategy game that runs thousands of enemy units simultaneously. A mid-range PC should handle the minimum tier without issue.