There isn't a traditional 'win' condition in Reigns in the sense of completing a campaign. The goal is to survive as many reigns as possible, unlock all the storylines, discover the secrets of the kingdom, and ultimately break the curse. Each reign adds to the overarching narrative.

What happens when my monarch dies?

When your monarch dies, your reign ends, and you will start a new reign as a new monarch. The game keeps track of your dynasty and progress, allowing you to carry over some elements and continue the ongoing story. Death is a core part of the gameplay loop.

Is Reigns available on all platforms?

Reigns is available on PC (Steam), Mobile (iOS, Android), and Nintendo Switch. The controls are well-adapted for each platform, making it enjoyable on touchscreens and with controllers/mouse.

How long is a typical reign in Reigns?

The length of a reign varies greatly depending on your decisions and luck. Some reigns can last only a few years, while others can span decades or even centuries if you manage your kingdom exceptionally well. The game encourages multiple, shorter reigns.

Reigns

In short: Reigns is a strategy game released in 2016 by Nerial, available on PC, Mobile and Nintendo. Our score: 8.5/10 (highly recommended).

Reigns is a card-based strategy game where players make choices by swiping left or right, akin to a dating app. As a monarch, your decisions impact the kingdom's resources, military, populace, and church, affecting your reign's length and eventual demise.

Reigns is an innovative and highly addictive card-based strategy game developed by Nerial and published by Devolver Digital. Released in 2016, it ingeniously blends elements of kingdom management, dark humor, and narrative choices, all presented through a unique swipe-left/swipe-right interface reminiscent of popular dating apps. Players assume the role of an unnamed monarch, tasked with balancing the delicate power dynamics between four critical pillars of society: the Church, the People, the Military, and the Treasury. Every year, a new card appears, presenting a dilemma or a request from a member of the court or a subject. Each decision made by the player, by swiping the card left or right, has immediate and often unforeseen consequences on the four aforementioned pillars. Maintaining a precarious balance is key; allowing any one pillar to become too powerful or too weak will inevitably lead to the monarch's untimely demise – be it through excommunication, revolution, military coup, or bankruptcy. This constant tightrope walk creates a compelling and challenging gameplay loop, where short-term gains often lead to long-term problems, and seemingly benevolent choices can have catastrophic outcomes. The game's charm lies not only in its clever mechanics but also in its witty writing and surprising depth. While the core gameplay remains consistent across reigns, the array of characters, events, and unlockable cards ensures a high degree of replayability. Players will encounte…

Game details

Developer: Nerial
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release year: 2016
Platforms: PC, Mobile, Nintendo
Category: strategy

Our review

Reigns offers a refreshingly unique take on strategy games, blending simple mechanics with surprising depth. The swipe-based interface is intuitive and addictive, making every decision feel impactful. The dark humor and branching narratives ensure high replayability, as players navigate political intrigue, religious dogma, and military might. While the minimalist graphics might not appeal to everyone, they serve the game's aesthetic well. The core loop of balancing four crucial stats is endlessly engaging, leading to both triumphant reigns and hilariously morbid demises. The game constantly introduces new characters and scenarios, keeping things fresh across multiple playthroughs. The only minor drawback is that some players might find the repetitive nature of the core mechanic a bit tiresome over very extended sessions, but for short bursts or multiple playthroughs, Reigns is a fantastic and innovative experience that offers immense value for its price. Highly recommended for fans of…

Pros

Unique swipe-based gameplay
Deep and engaging narrative choices
Excellent replayability
Witty writing and dark humor
Addictive core loop

Cons

Minimalist graphics may not appeal to all
Can feel repetitive over very long sessions

FAQ

How do I win Reigns?: There isn't a traditional 'win' condition in Reigns in the sense of completing a campaign. The goal is to survive as many reigns as possible, unlock all the storylines, discover the secrets of the kingdom, and ultimately break the curse. Each reign adds to the overarching narrative.
What happens when my monarch dies?: When your monarch dies, your reign ends, and you will start a new reign as a new monarch. The game keeps track of your dynasty and progress, allowing you to carry over some elements and continue the ongoing story. Death is a core part of the gameplay loop.
Is Reigns available on all platforms?: Reigns is available on PC (Steam), Mobile (iOS, Android), and Nintendo Switch. The controls are well-adapted for each platform, making it enjoyable on touchscreens and with controllers/mouse.
How long is a typical reign in Reigns?: The length of a reign varies greatly depending on your decisions and luck. Some reigns can last only a few years, while others can span decades or even centuries if you manage your kingdom exceptionally well. The game encourages multiple, shorter reigns.

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Last updated: 04/04/2026