In each mission, the player begins with several basic houses. These houses produce money, the only resource in the game, and can only create basic soldiers.

For a large sum of money, a house can be upgraded into a village, city, or fortress. Each settlement type allows different units and buildings, and the three civilizations also have their own varying units and buildings.

Within a settlement, the player can recruit units and construct buildings such as mines and farms that provide money, defense towers that fire at enemies, and special facilities required to unlock specific units. For example, a war bear cannot be recruited until a bear’s cave is built.