Products You May Like
There’s something stupidly addictive about the side scrolling strategy calls of Monarchy. Perhaps it’s the simplicity it initially allows, before tactical nous slowly comes to the fore. Or maybe it’s because of the fairly swift nature of a run, or the fact that an upgrade – or total failure – is a mere step away. It might even be the neat art style that adds to the appeal.
Whatever it is, I can’t stop playing Brain Seal’s Monarchy. How much longer that addiction will continue is up for debate though.
A 2D strategy game, there’s not too much that is new about how this one plays. Dropped into the life of a prospective king or queen, it’s up to you to build out your kingdom, working from the bottom up, from nothing to riches beyond belief.
Upon your trusty horse, you’re first left to find a suitable spot for your sprawling empire to take hold. A clearing, teeming with rabbits and roosters, would be perfect, as you slap down your home. Built in an instant, this humble abode then offers further opportunities; an archery school provides the means of hunting, whilst a woodcutter’s yard lets you employ folk in the art of tree surgery and craftsmanship. These guys will be vital for helping build out your village and its footprint, clearing land of trees, keeping on top of maintenance work.
Heading out to explore is then key. With an archer in tow, you get to take down deer, stags, bandits and more, each providing coinage in return. Treasure chests help fill your limited pouch, whilst the more you venture from camp, the more you’ll discover; windmills, caves, new horses, bandit dens….
Heading back to town will see you spending those coins, upgrading homes, building fences, battlements, catapults, farms, and more. Rinse and repeat, earning coin, spending it how you best see fit and your life as a monarch will be rich.
With population growth dictated by traders, of which you can decide whether to take a buddy or fill your coffers with more coins on the daily, scouring those lands during the day, easing your way to ventures new is key to how Monarchy plays out. But then night falls…
As the moon shows its face, Monarchy turns darker, as bandit gangs come looking for treasures. At first the odd scout will try their luck, but as night and day passes, those gangs build in number and intensity, accompanied by the likes of a battering ram and gear if they see the need.
It’s here where your past decisions will dictate success or failure. Did you chuck your resources into making money, forgetting about setting up a defensive army? You’re going to be in for a hard time; the second those bandits hit your home, or topple you from your horse, your reign will end, left to start over again.
Monarchy delivers a bit of an addiction at this point, as you look to past strategies and attempt to build on things, lasting just one more day than before, unlocking a new camp upgrade or the like. But it’s that which does have a definite lifespan – will you tire of things due to the repetition? That will be a matter for personal taste.
The game features three distinct stages, but they don’t offer significant variation. While there are visual and environmental differences between Bandit Land, The Siege, and Winter Knight, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Each stage feels more like a cosmetic overhaul than a substantial shift in mechanics, however, Monarchy’s visual appeal is undeniable. It’s satisfying to observe your ruler surveying their domain, watching the townsfolk go about their daily routines.
And it’s also cool that local cooperative play has been integrated in. Splitting the screen, as one monarch scouts and the other holds base, certainly helps keep Monarchy fresh. But again, it’s far from a game changer.
I guess game changer it doesn’t really need to be though, as Monarchy is a solid play as is. Fun in spurts, it’s only the repetition of early game moments that eventually become a little bit of a drag; there’s only so much that can be actioned initially and we’d have loved for some further variety in those early moments. Instead, with every run, you’ll be left to kick off with extremely similar intentions, all before falling to a raid from hell; unstoppable no matter how you are set up.
But don’t let that put you off of what Brain Seal has put together. If you’ve fallen in love with previous 2D scrolling strategy games, this is certainly going to appeal. And if you haven’t, Monarchy is as good a place to start as any. At least in the short term…
Monarchy: A 2D Side-Scrolling Strategy Game Where You Build, Defend, and Conquer – https://www.thexboxhub.com/monarchy-a-2d-side-scrolling-strategy-game-where-you-build-defend-and-conquer/
Buy Monarchy on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/monarchy/9NJR4CSDR0ZT/0010