Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs
- May 17, 2017
- Pixelated Milk
- 233h median play time
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is one of the better products to come from the crowd-funded scene. Fans of classic JRPGs will find much to enjoy, especially with the lighthearted characters and story.
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is a tactical RPG with a focus on strategic combat and kingdom management. After a failed gambling trip, your legacy - a once-glorious royal castle - is sold to pay off your debts. Now, you must explore the world, battle monsters, and rebuild your kingdom. Along the way, you'll meet memorable characters and make important decisions that will affect the story.
Reviews
- The game features a fun and refreshing take on tactical RPG mechanics, with engaging combat and character abilities.
- The writing is humorous and charming, with well-developed characters that add depth to the story.
- The art style and voice acting are top-notch, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
- There are persistent bugs, particularly with crafting and save mechanics, which can disrupt gameplay.
- The combat can feel frustrating due to RNG mechanics, with high miss rates on attacks despite seemingly favorable odds.
- The time limit for completing objectives can feel restrictive, leading to a sense of pressure that detracts from the enjoyment of exploration.
- story243 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a blend of humor and lightheartedness, featuring well-written characters and engaging side quests that add depth to the narrative. While some players appreciate the comedic elements and character interactions, others find the main plot to be shallow and lacking in substance, often feeling more like a vehicle for gameplay mechanics than a compelling narrative. Overall, the story is entertaining for those who enjoy a whimsical RPG experience, but it may not satisfy players seeking a rich, intricate storyline.
“The story and its characters are interesting and have a good balance between being clear and understandable and having a more nuanced layer underneath.”
“The comedy was on point, the gameplay extremely engaging, and the character and story extremely lovable.”
“This game is charming and well written, with an incredible story and some of the most lovable characters I've ever seen.”
“The story is shallow and bland; if you expected a detailed and well-built kingdom-building game like Ni no Kuni or Pathfinder: Kingmaker, then you will be very disappointed.”
“The story here is very bland; you will hardly be excited for anything, and reading through it at times can feel more like a task. The ending is somewhat fine and has a few highlights, but that is it.”
“In regards to the story and dialogue, they are nothing to write home about. The game doesn't make them its main focus, but it manages to be entertaining for the first playthrough.”
- gameplay109 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its tactical RPG elements and unique mechanics, while others criticize its repetitiveness and some frustrating mechanics, such as the line of sight system. Although the combat is generally enjoyable and offers a solid experience, some players find the kingdom-building aspects and certain mechanics to be tedious or underdeveloped. Overall, while the game provides a fun and engaging experience for fans of the genre, it also has notable shortcomings that may detract from the enjoyment for some players.
“All in all, you will have a good time with the game; the mechanics are quite solid and can deliver a really complex experience.”
“These core mechanics and how they interact with each other, although unbalanced at times, are very well thought out and create an engaging gameplay experience that will leave the player wanting to explore all of the possibilities that the game has to offer.”
“The gameplay is tight, feels fairly balanced from what I've seen of it, which, arguably, isn't much yet.”
“The worst thing about this game is without a shadow of a doubt its annoying mechanics. The combat is repetitive, the kingdom mechanics feel like a chore, and there are useless mechanics that you only use once in the entire game.”
“After a while, I find the gameplay repetitious. Had the game not ended when it did, it would have been a drag.”
“My main criticism would be that the gameplay mechanics feel a bit basic compared with other tactical RPGs; the mechanics just lack depth and options.”
- humor79 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, with many players enjoying the witty dialogue, pop culture references, and quirky character interactions that evoke laughter throughout the experience. However, some reviews note that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling forced or overly childish, which may not appeal to all players. Overall, the game's comedic elements are a significant highlight, contributing to its entertaining narrative and engaging gameplay.
“Great humor and the characters all feel different.”
“The story and characters are charming and hilarious.”
“It's got some quirky humor and enjoyable characters.”
- graphics50 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant and unique art style, combining both 2D and 3D elements that create a visually appealing experience. Many reviewers highlighted the charming character designs and colorful environments, which contribute to an immersive and enjoyable atmosphere. While some noted minor issues like blurriness or a mobile game feel, the overall consensus is that the graphics are above average and enhance the game's lighthearted tone and engaging storytelling.
“Lush and vibrant graphics, fantastic voice acting and a SRPG to boot!”
“Beautiful graphics and unique characters with amazing voiceovers in an entertaining story which can be utterly hilarious at times.”
“The graphical quality is excellent and you can judge this for yourself from the store page.”
“I could complain that diplomacy/factions are a wasted potential, that it has a time limit and every period of the game looks almost the same or that the graphics are too blurry and dull.”
“Graphics are pseudo isometric 2D with bright cartoony aesthetics.”
“Real shame because I love the art style.”
- music33 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its pleasant and catchy qualities, while others find it simplistic and occasionally repetitive. The soundtrack is noted for its situational variety, enhancing the overall experience, though some feel it lacks diversity in tracks. Overall, the music is described as enjoyable and well-crafted, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The soundtrack is also fantastic and will draw you in.”
“The music is great.”
“The characters are full of charm, each one is unique, the battles are a lot of fun (and hard !! especially those with bosses) and the soundtrack / dubbing are great.”
“Music: it's okay, nothing bad, but nothing exceptional either; it can get repetitive after a while... a 6.5 for it.”
“Music-wise, depending on the situation/location, different music will be played, but they are standard.”
“Music and sound effects don't irritate me, but they also don't stand out in my memory.”
- grinding23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 65 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a mixed reception regarding grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the absence of traditional grinding mechanics, which allows for a more tactical focus and shared party leveling, others find the reliance on repetitive tasks and social bond-building tedious and frustrating, detracting from the overall enjoyment of gameplay. Ultimately, the game's approach to character development and progression through relationships rather than combat grinding is seen as innovative by some, but a source of tedium for others.
“There is scaling and no grinding, so enjoy the battles as tactical challenges.”
“No grinding - experience is gained party-wide, so you can use that party member that you never use without drawbacks.”
“No grinding and no repeated battles so far, a big, big plus.”
“As a result, the dungeon runs stop becoming fun and quickly turn into tedious slogs, where rather than looking forward to playing them, I was looking forward to the end so I wouldn't have to do them anymore.”
“The game relies on grinding certain tasks by deadlines, and the cycle repeats itself.”
“The game is slow and forces you to do tedious chores.”
- character development8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is primarily driven by equipment and perks rather than traditional leveling, with players appreciating the gorgeous character design and art. While the bonding experiences and personal quests provide some depth, the overall character development is considered interesting but not particularly profound, with many players noting that the game is not focused on deep storytelling or character arcs.
“Each bonding experience also has a storyline with that character that offers some nice character development or personal quests.”
“I love the art, character design, and solid voiceover, which makes the game even more enjoyable.”
“No grinding and no leveling; character development is solely through equipment and perks.”
“Bear in mind, this isn't really the sort of game you play for either the character development or the plot - both are ludicrous, and you shouldn't expect either to leave you thinking for more than 2 seconds after you close the game.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Players consistently highlight the game's strong replayability, noting its fun and charming nature, diverse character choices, and the impact of player decisions on gameplay. With multiple characters to unlock and various strategies to explore, many reviewers express excitement about returning to the game for new experiences.
“It was an absolute blast playing it and it has really good replayability.”
“It is a really fun and charming game that has a ton of replayability!”
“I'm still not finished, but this game has a lot of replay value as there are still 4 characters I haven't used and more to unlock.”
“A lot of the difficulty may also be down to your choice of characters, which I think heightens the game's replayability.”
“I'm still not finished, but this game has a lot of replay value as there are still four characters I haven't used and more to unlock.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
User experiences with stability vary significantly; while some players report no issues such as freezes or crashes, others highlight persistent bugs and a lack of intention from developers to address these problems. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, with some users enjoying a smooth experience while others face frequent disruptions.
“Constantly freezes.”
“They know it's buggy and they have no intention of fixing their bugs.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from performance and technical issues, particularly during extended play sessions, which contribute to an overall unpolished feel. Additionally, the UI and character models appear cheap, making it less appealing for players accustomed to AAA titles. While leveling up offers minor perks, they have minimal impact on gameplay performance.
“As you level up, you can choose some perks that add 2% here and there, but have minimal impact on the character's performance in battle.”
“The main downside is that it tends to have performance and technical issues that make themselves present whenever you are doing a long gaming session. Coupled with the UI and models having a cheap look, it makes the game feel unpolished. If you are used to AAA game releases, it will definitely feel underwhelming.”
“As you level up, you can choose some perks that add 2% here and there, but they have minimal impact on the character's performance in battle.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a charming blend of silliness and seriousness, creating a light-hearted yet engaging experience that resonates well with players. Its cute JRPG style enhances this delightful ambiance, making it appealing and enjoyable.
“I thought the premise was silly, but the game has a nice mixed atmosphere of silly yet serious, and it fits well.”
“Cute JRPG with a light-hearted atmosphere that simply oozes charm.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game "Regalia" is noted for its heartfelt design and the evident love that went into its creation, though some players feel that this emotional depth does not translate into an enjoyable gameplay experience.
“There was clearly a lot of love put into Regalia; it's a heartfelt game.”
Critic Reviews
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs Review - Barely Regal
While Regalia: of Men and Monarchs never excels in any one area, the unique mix of gameplay elements really comes together to provide an experience that's worth having. If you're a fan of JRPGs, SRPGs, or a fan of the British tradition of absurdist fantasy comedy, there's something here for you to enjoy.
70%Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs (Nintendo Switch)
Regalia is a fun tactical RPG with a strong narrative element. It’s not without it’s issues – mainly loading times – but it’s a well-designed and content-rich game nonetheless.
70%Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is one of the better products to come from the crowd-funded scene. Fans of classic JRPGs will find much to enjoy, especially with the lighthearted characters and story.
85%