Exploring Reigns: Pros and Cons of the Game, Gameplay Guide, and 5 Alternative Titles

Introduction

Reigns is a unique and engaging indie game that combines elements of strategy, decision-making, and storytelling in a medieval monarchy setting. Developed by Nerial and published by Devolver Digital, it offers a fresh take on the decision-based gameplay genre. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of Reigns, providing a comprehensive overview of the game. 

Pros of Reigns

• Unique Gameplay Concept: Reigns offers a truly unique gameplay experience by blending elements of decision-making, strategy, and narrative into one cohesive package. As a monarch, you make choices that affect your kingdom’s destiny through the use of a simple “swipe left” or “swipe right” mechanic, reminiscent of popular dating apps.
• Engaging Storytelling: The game’s narrative is compelling, filled with humor, clever dialogue, and unexpected twists. Each decision you make influences the story and the fate of your kingdom, making it an excellent storytelling platform.
• Replayability: Reigns excels in replayability. Each decision you make impacts the game’s progression, and it’s impossible to see all the possible outcomes in a single playthrough. This encourages players to replay the game multiple times to uncover different narratives, challenges, and endings.
• Artistic Style: The game boasts a charming and minimalist visual style, with card-based characters and events that add character to the story. The visuals are simple yet effective in conveying the atmosphere of a medieval kingdom.
• Accessibility: Reigns is extremely accessible to players of all skill levels. The swipe-based mechanic is easy to grasp, and the game’s simple interface ensures that players can dive into the experience without any steep learning curve.
• Clever Use of Decision-Making: The core of Reigns revolves around making difficult choices. These choices have consequences that affect not only your character but the entire kingdom. It’s a clever way to immerse players in the role of a ruler and emphasize the weight of their decisions.
• Varied Objectives: While the primary objective is to maintain a balance between the kingdom’s four pillars (military, religion, treasury, and population), there are numerous side quests and challenges to complete. These additional objectives make each playthrough distinct.
• Hidden Secrets and Easter Eggs: Reigns is full of hidden secrets, references, and Easter eggs. This adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the game, enticing players to explore and discover these hidden gems.
• Sound Design: The game’s soundtrack complements its atmosphere perfectly. It sets the mood for the medieval world and adds depth to the player’s experience.
• Regular Updates: Nerial and Devolver Digital have released additional content and updates for Reigns, which not only provide new challenges but also extend the longevity of the game.

Cons of Reigns

• Repetition: Despite its replayability, some players may find the gameplay repetitive after several playthroughs. The core decision-making mechanic remains largely the same, which can lead to a sense of monotony.
• Short Play Sessions: Reigns is best played in short bursts. Extended gameplay sessions may lead to player fatigue, as the swipe-based decision-making can become tiresome over time.
• Learning Curve: While the game is accessible, there is still a learning curve associated with understanding the various characters, events, and their consequences. New players may need some time to fully grasp the game’s mechanics and nuances.

Also read – Viperplay: Everything To Know About

• Lack of In-Depth Strategy: Reigns is primarily a decision-based game, and while it does have elements of strategy, it may not satisfy players seeking deep and complex strategic gameplay. The choices you make are relatively simple, and there isn’t a significant depth to the strategic component.
• Randomness: Some events in Reigns can feel random, leading to abrupt and seemingly unfair consequences. This can be frustrating, especially when a series of unfortunate events leads to an early demise.
• Limited Character Customization: While you can unlock new rulers as you progress, there is limited character customization in Reigns. The appearance and abilities of your ruler are predetermined, leaving little room for personalization.
• Device Compatibility: Reigns is primarily designed for touchscreen devices, which may limit its accessibility to players who prefer gaming on other platforms.
• Lack of a Concrete End Goal: While the open-ended nature of the game can be appealing to some, others may miss a clear, defined goal or endpoint to strive for in each playthrough.
• Lack of Voice Acting: The absence of voice acting means that players must read all of the game’s dialogue. While this isn’t a major drawback, it may detract from the immersion for some players.
• Limited Interaction: The game’s interaction with the world and characters is mostly limited to swiping left or right. Some players might wish for more in-depth interactions or exploration of the game world.

How to Play Reigns

Reigns is a straightforward game to play, but it requires careful decision-making and a strategic approach to succeed. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play Reigns effectively:

• Balancing the Four Pillars: Your primary objective is to maintain a balance between the kingdom’s four pillars: military, religion, treasury, and population. Each pillar has its own meter that reflects its status.
• Swipe Left or Right: You make decisions by swiping left or right on cards that represent various characters, events, and situations. Left represents “no” or rejecting the option, while right represents “yes” or accepting it.
• Managing Resources: As you make decisions, you’ll notice that each swipe affects one or more of the four pillars. For example, raising taxes can increase your treasury but may upset the population. Your goal is to keep these meters balanced. If any meter reaches its extreme, it can lead to your demise.
• Responding to Events: Events and characters come and go, each presenting a unique choice. You’ll have to decide how to deal with these characters or events, and your choices will impact the kingdom. Pay attention to the consequences of your actions.
• Completing Objectives: In addition to the four pillars, you’ll receive objectives and challenges that provide extra tasks to complete. Achieving these goals can unlock new rulers, cards, and content.
• Keeping an Eye on Resources: Your treasury is important for funding various activities in the kingdom, and your population is a key factor in keeping your reign stable. Managing the balance between these two is crucial for your success.
• Exploring the Narrative: Reigns is full of intriguing and humorous narratives. Explore the storylines, quests, and hidden secrets as you make decisions. The more you play, the more you’ll discover.
• Learning from Past Rulers: When your current ruler dies, you’ll take on the role of their heir, inheriting their progress and decisions. Learning from your predecessors is key to improving your reign.
• Unlocking New Rulers: As you play, you can unlock new rulers with unique abilities and challenges. Experiment with different rulers to explore their stories and gameplay variations.
• Enjoying the Ride: While Reigns has objectives, the game’s open-ended nature means there’s no one “right” way to play. Embrace the chaos and enjoy the surprising and often humorous outcomes of your decisions.

Five Alternatives to Reigns

If you enjoy the decision-based gameplay and storytelling of Reigns, you might want to explore these five alternative games that offer similar experiences:

• The Banner Saga: The Banner Saga combines turn-based strategy with rich storytelling set in a Viking-inspired fantasy world. Like Reigns, the choices you make have lasting consequences and influence the narrative.
• Oxenfree: Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller with a focus on player choices and dialogue. Your decisions affect the story and the relationships between characters. It’s a narrative-driven game that offers a gripping and immersive experience.
• King of Dragon Pass: This game blends role-playing, strategy, and storytelling in a unique fantasy world. As the leader of a clan, you’ll make decisions that impact your people’s fate, similar to Reigns.
• Papers, Please: Papers, Please is a dystopian simulation game where you play an immigration officer. You’ll make choices that determine the fate of individuals seeking entry into your fictional country. It’s a thought-provoking game with strong decision-making elements.
• This War of Mine: This War of Mine is a war survival game that focuses on the civilian experience during armed conflict. Like Reigns, it’s all about making tough decisions, managing resources, and dealing with the consequences of your choices.

Conclusion

Reigns is a captivating and unique game that excels in storytelling and decision-based gameplay. Its pros include a distinctive concept, engaging narrative, and excellent replayability. However, it does have some cons, such as potential repetition and limited strategic depth.

Learning how to play Reigns effectively involves balancing the four pillars, making thoughtful choices, and embracing the unpredictable outcomes. If you enjoy Reigns, there are alternative games that offer similar decision-based experiences, each with its own unique twists and narratives.

Ultimately, Reigns is a testament to the power of simple but well-executed gameplay mechanics, offering players an opportunity to immerse themselves in the complex role of a medieval monarch while facing the consequences of their actions.