ReignMaker

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 244 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • grinding
ReignMaker Game Cover
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ReignMaker is a single-player historical role-playing game that combines match-3, tower defense, city building, and political strategy elements. Over 8 hours, players lead their kingdom against the Void Army, using match-3 and tower defense skills, as well as political decisions, to access more powerful spells, troops, and gear. With 50 towers, 20 spells, 10 troops, 12 implements of war, and millions of story possibilities, ReignMaker offers deep strategy and cultural customization.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 244 reviews
gameplay17 positive mentions
grinding21 negative mentions
  • ReignMaker combines match-3 gameplay with tower defense and city management, creating a unique and engaging experience.
  • The game features a humorous narrative and decision-making elements that affect the player's town, adding depth to the gameplay.
  • The mix of spells, items, and troops provides strategic options during battles, making each encounter feel dynamic and challenging.
  • The game suffers from a grindy resource management system, requiring players to wait for resources to build and upgrade, which can be tedious.
  • Some players have reported difficulty spikes and unplayable boards that can lead to frustrating losses, diminishing the enjoyment of the game.
  • The graphics and sound design are considered subpar by some, making the overall presentation feel less polished compared to other titles.
  • gameplay79 mentions

    The gameplay of this match-3 game combines elements of tower defense and city building, offering a unique twist on traditional mechanics. While some players find the core gameplay addictive and enjoyable, others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in the city management aspects. Overall, the game is seen as a casual experience that may appeal to fans of mobile gaming, but it struggles with balance and complexity in its mechanics.

    • “Gameplay consists of defending your castle by matching various tiles which shoot attacks towards the incoming enemies.”
    • “One of the best uses of the match-3 mechanic I have ever seen.”
    • “The match-3 gameplay itself is quite fun; each match you make sends out energy bolts to attack the waves of enemies coming at your tower from the other side of the screen.”
    • “Not a bad idea to bring something new to match 3, however in the end there's just not much to the core gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive, with almost no strategy involved, and boring levels.”
    • “Reignmaker, however, plays like a mobile game trying to be a full PC game - the gameplay just feels too sluggish and unresponsive with a mouse and the unnecessary time delay mechanics just feel tagged on.”
  • story33 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by emotional storytelling and suspense, with players' decisions impacting the development of their city and its narrative. While the story elements and town-building mechanics add depth, some reviewers feel the overall narrative lacks innovation and can be overshadowed by the match-3 gameplay. Despite this, the humorous dialogue and policy choices provide engaging moments that enhance the player's connection to the story.

    • “The amount of emotional storytelling and bone-chilling suspense left me speechless and hopeful for the gaming industry's future.”
    • “A nice addition is that after each story mission, you get to make decisions about your town's future.”
    • “After each mission, you're given a choice which affects the destiny of your city, adding characters and benefits to it, and allowing you to choose the feeling of your city.”
    • “If you're looking for some depth in the town building, story, or anything else outside the match-3 gameplay, then honestly - keep looking.”
    • “Although the story isn't very innovative, the gameplay does provide major enhancements to Bejeweled, adding combat and the tactical considerations that go along with it.”
    • “The game itself is fine, if not a lower quality puzzle quest style game.”
  • grinding21 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, particularly at higher levels where resource gathering and upgrades become necessary for progression. While some enjoy the early stages, many express frustration with the reliance on grinding and luck, leading to a shift from casual fun to monotony. Despite the absence of pay-to-win mechanics, the grinding feels out of place in a full-priced game, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “My biggest complaint is that there is too much grinding and reliance on luck; if you run out of matches, well, too bad!”
    • “I enjoyed the early stages, but getting further along the game goes from casual fun to plain tedious.”
    • “After 10 hours, I'm grinding through just to finish the campaign to call it done.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as unremarkable, with a 2000s aesthetic that feels rushed and basic, lacking in polish and standout features. While some players appreciate the bright and cheerful art style, many find it unappealing and not innovative within the genre. Overall, the visuals serve their purpose but do not elevate the gaming experience significantly.

    • “The graphics are bright and cheerful, and the sounds are very good as well.”
    • “The graphics are charming and have a fable-like feel.”
    • “The graphics are, again, nothing to clamor over, but they are charming and the purpose is served.”
    • “Offers a good variety of spells, troops that can help in battle, town policies with favorable outcomes, and a bit of humor, yet suffers from 2000s style of graphics, repetitive soundtrack, and unnecessarily challenging achievements.”
    • “The graphics aren't outstanding and it's not going to break any ground in the match-3 space, but I've found it challenging enough to keep my interest.”
    • “The village mechanics are very basic and the graphics are unappealing.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The game features a delightful blend of humor, with funny voiceovers, quirky dialogue, and humorous policy decisions that add a lighthearted touch to gameplay. Players appreciate the irreverent storytelling and comedic elements, including playful references and toilet humor, which enhance the overall experience. While the humor is a standout aspect, it is complemented by engaging mechanics that keep players entertained.

    • “Funny voice over monster damage.”
    • “The townsfolk react to some of your victories by asking for 'policy decisions' where you can pick whether to protect forested areas, anger your local druids, be lenient with thieves, send a beaten boss monster back to a far-away forested area or kill her off, etc. Most of these are humorously written, none seem to have 'wrong' answers, and none have any effect on gameplay as far as I can tell.”
    • “Some events have been humorous, and others have been tales of love lost and found (and some deal with poop because who doesn't like some good ol' fashioned toilet humor?).”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its cheerful and solid quality that enhances the overall experience, while others find it repetitive and occasionally out-of-place. Despite some criticisms regarding specific tracks and sound effects, the soundtrack is generally considered on par with similar indie games, providing a decent background ambiance. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, it may not stand out significantly.

    • “This isn't a terrible game by any means - the overall design is pretty ok and the music is on par with other similar indie games.”
    • “Luckily, the art is totally charming so the journey is enjoyable and it is really livened up with a solid soundtrack that sets the mood.”
    • “Rounding all of this out is a thorough bestiary (as frogdice games are known for) that lets you see your foes up close and personal and a pretty decent soundtrack.”
    • “The sound effects are very boring, as is the soundtrack.”
    • “Lame soundtrack.”
    • “The music itself is about what you'd expect from a game like this, pure background.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional storytelling in the game evokes deep feelings of loss and resilience, leaving players both speechless and hopeful. The intense narrative creates a powerful connection, prompting players to empathize with the characters' struggles and triumphs, ultimately reinforcing their determination to persevere despite adversity.

    • “The amount of emotional storytelling and bone-chilling suspense left me speechless and hopeful for the gaming industry's future.”
    • “I cried when my castles fell and my men perished, but the more you pushed me down, the harder I pushed back. The mourners who cling to me need someone to believe in to assure them their husbands and children didn't die for a folly cause.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, the game is considered stable and not particularly buggy, though some users feel it lacks the depth and quality expected for its price point, suggesting it might be better suited as a lower-cost title.

    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I experienced multiple bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
    • “The stability issues really detract from what could be an enjoyable game.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model is likened to that of a Facebook game, emphasizing a time-based progression system without the presence of microtransactions.

    • “Feels a lot like a Facebook game but has no microtransactions, just time investment.”
    • “The monetization model is refreshing; it focuses on time rather than spending money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't pressure you into making purchases; it's all about enjoying the experience.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to progress.”
    • “It seems like the game is designed to encourage constant spending rather than providing a fair experience.”
    • “The in-game purchases are overpriced and give unfair advantages to those who can afford them.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
8-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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