Dead Monarchy
- May 19, 2023
- Kevin Zhang
- 24h median play time
Get on Steam"Dead Monarchy" is an open-world, turn-based tactical RPG set in a low fantasy world, where you lead a mercenary company as the captain. Explore the Midlands region, discover various locations, and take on contracts, all while learning the game's mechanics. It is recommended to start on a lower difficulty before attempting the challenging Emperor difficulty.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a solid progression system and complex combat mechanics that provide a satisfying experience for players who enjoy tactical gameplay.
- Despite being developed by a solo developer, the game shows a lot of love and effort, with regular updates and responsiveness to player feedback.
- The character and squad building aspects are engaging, allowing for diverse strategies and customization options.
- The user interface is clunky and lacks clear explanations, making it difficult for players to understand mechanics and navigate menus effectively.
- There are significant issues with game balance, particularly in terms of difficulty spikes and the randomness of encounters, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The game feels incomplete, with many features still needing polish and additional content to enhance the overall experience.
- gameplay26 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising its strategic depth and enjoyable turn-based combat, reminiscent of XCOM, while also criticizing the clunky UI and lack of clear explanations for mechanics, which can lead to frustration. The day/night cycle and excessive loading screens detract from the experience, and while the game offers a challenging and rewarding progression system, it suffers from bugs and a need for improved quality of life features. Overall, it appeals to those who prioritize gameplay over graphics, but significant improvements are needed for a smoother experience.
“This is a great game for those who value gameplay over graphics.”
“The actual gameplay is a great little strategy game, and I think if you want to get into a game with a great little soul that actually looks like it will develop in a positive way then this is absolutely the game for you.”
“A strategy RPG, with difficult combat, interesting mechanics you will not find elsewhere, and a lot of fun (particularly if you slide towards masochistic).”
“The day/night cycle doesn't seem to add to gameplay, just meaning I can't interact with things during the night, though this is not explained.”
“Most of my rage quits are from getting annoyed with the game mechanics, like 100 million loading screens just to do one simple thing or spending too much time trying to put skills on my mercenaries due to a lack of quality of life options.”
“I find myself not really understanding what every perk does and what leveling up accomplishes without reading pages of Google tips, as the UI is so frustratingly lacking.”
- story25 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story in the game is criticized for lacking depth and coherence, with many players feeling it is merely a backdrop for mercenary missions rather than a compelling narrative. While some appreciate the freedom to explore and complete missions at their own pace, others find the grind and mission cooldowns detract from immersion and overall satisfaction. Overall, the absence of a strong storyline and character development leaves many players wanting more from their gaming experience.
“The story directs the player well enough, but even once you complete it, you are denied satisfaction because advancing to postgame promises to yield one last part, potentially the most satisfying part of the story.”
“Other than that, Dead Monarchy is everything I enjoy about the Wasteland games in a medieval setting. There's basically no railroading; you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, and do quests for whichever settlement you want.”
“Artwork, music, writing, combat, missions, loot, maps, etc., are well done.”
“The reason for downrating the game for me is that there is absolutely no storyline.”
“The story part of the game is somewhat of a grind since you have to travel all around the map and do extra fights to access the goal of the story.”
“I cannot find the will to finish the postgame story arc.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered functional and adequate, though not on par with AAA titles, often described as basic or reminiscent of older games. While some players appreciate the aesthetic choices and find the visuals satisfactory for a low-budget project, others note that the graphics can feel dated, particularly outside of combat scenes. Overall, the visuals are seen as a secondary aspect to the gameplay, which is where the game truly shines.
“It looks so much better than Battle Brothers (yes, I know they chose their aesthetic, but still the graphics are good).”
“The graphics for the enemies are amazing.”
“And the combat visuals are excellent.”
“The graphics look 20 years old.”
“It's a low budget game, so don't expect AAA graphics.”
“Def not the graphics of a AAA game but more than makes up for it mechanically.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, contributing to an authentic medieval atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate how well it complements other game elements, making it a standout feature.
“The music is a soothing background for me, and overall, it adds to the pleasant experience.”
“Nice music and good atmosphere, feels more authentically medieval than most of these sorts of games.”
“Artwork, music, writing, combat, missions, loot, maps, etc., are well done.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While some players find that discovering optimal tactics and character builds diminishes the game's replay value, others still rate it highly, suggesting that there are enough variations to keep the experience engaging. Overall, the consensus indicates a mixed perception of replayability, with a notable score of 9/10 from some users.
“Replayability: 9/10”
“It doesn't take long to figure out the optimal tactics and character builds, which diminishes the replay value for me.”
“Once you've experienced the main story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel redundant.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted acknowledgment of misfortune, with players attributing their bad luck to the whims of "dice gods," creating a playful and relatable atmosphere.
“It isn't your computer's fault, just the dice gods laughing down on you.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively time-consuming, particularly due to slow experience point (XP) rates that prolong the leveling process across different stages of party strength.
“In this mode, the XP rate is so slow that you end up grinding for far too long at various stages of party strength.”
“The grinding feels endless, making progress feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
“I spent hours grinding for minimal rewards, which made the game feel tedious and unfulfilling.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game exhibits strong stability, with no significant glitches and only minor issues addressed through small patches.
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
“There are numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, and the developers seem slow to address them.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is influenced by individual attributes, which significantly impact overall performance. Players have noted that these attributes play a crucial role in enhancing gameplay efficiency and effectiveness.
“Everyone has attributes, and they affect performance.”
“The optimization system allows for deep customization of character builds.”
“Balancing attributes effectively can significantly enhance gameplay experience.”
“The game's optimization is severely lacking, leading to frustrating performance issues.”
“I often experience significant lag and stuttering, which ruins the overall gameplay experience.”
“Despite having a high-end system, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is currently limited, primarily focusing on upgrading armor and weapons while defending bases during siege play. Players express a desire for more depth, including enhanced character progression, additional missions, and improved graphical elements. Overall, there is a call for a more robust character development system to enrich the gameplay experience.
“The character development is incredibly engaging, with a variety of options that allow players to shape their heroes in unique ways.”
“I love how the character development system encourages players to invest time in their characters, making each choice feel meaningful.”
“The depth of character development adds layers to the gameplay, allowing for a personalized experience that keeps me coming back for more.”
“Character development feels stagnant; there are limited options to evolve or customize your character beyond basic gear upgrades.”
“The lack of meaningful character progression makes the gameplay feel repetitive and uninspired.”
“I was hoping for deeper character arcs and interactions, but instead, it feels like a missed opportunity for growth.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is praised for its authentic medieval feel, enhanced by nice music that contributes to an immersive experience.
“The music is nice and the atmosphere feels more authentically medieval than most of these types of games.”
“The immersive environment and attention to detail create a captivating atmosphere that draws you in.”
“The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie visuals, making for an unforgettable atmospheric experience.”
