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Sultan's Game

Sultan's Game Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, character development
95% User Score Based on 1,234 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCMac OSSteam DeckWindows
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Sultan's Game Game Cover

About

Sultan's Game is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Double Cross and was released on March 30, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Sultan's Game is an immersive digital experience blending a captivating narrative with a unique musical fusion inspired by Uyghur Twelve Muqam and traditional instruments from Xinjiang and China. Set in a mystical desert empire, it combines a rich story, original soundtrack, and a digital novella to create a layered world filled with cultural depth and evocative atmosphere.

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Sultan's Game screenshot
Sultan's Game screenshot
Sultan's Game screenshot
Sultan's Game screenshot
Sultan's Game screenshot
Sultan's Game screenshot
Sultan's Game screenshot
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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,234 reviews
story111 positive mentions
grinding20 negative mentions
  • Engaging and immersive storytelling with rich character development and multiple endings.
  • Beautiful art style and atmospheric music that enhance the overall experience.
  • Unique gameplay mechanics that blend resource management with narrative choices, providing a fresh take on the genre.
  • The English translation is often poor, with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing that can detract from the experience.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive, especially in the late game, leading to a sense of tedium.
  • The UI can be clunky and difficult to navigate, particularly when managing a large number of cards and events.
  • story
    318 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and engaging narrative, featuring a rich tapestry of characters and branching paths that encourage replayability. Players appreciate the intricate plotlines and moral dilemmas, though some express frustration with hidden prerequisites that can lead to missed story opportunities. Overall, the combination of beautiful artwork, mature themes, and a compelling storyline makes it a standout experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “The story is very intriguing.”
    • “The narrative handles adult themes with unflinching honesty, offering both chilling depictions of power's corruption and nuanced portrayals of unspeakable emotions, securing its place among mature storytelling.”
    • “The story branches out so much that even after 46 hours I only managed to reach one true ending, and there are still plenty of characters I haven’t even met and storylines I haven’t heard of.”
    • “The game's many endings outside of completing the sultan's game suffer a severe case of Sierra adventure game softlocks where if you are not playing with a wiki to ensure you follow a quest path properly, it's very easy to screw yourself out of an ending without knowing until hours later, where you are no longer allowed to backtrack and fix that.”
    • “There are no reasonable explanations as to why some specific parts of the story aren't available to you; you cannot find a specific book to read and get a clue, you cannot get a particular quest out of someone during a particular phase of the game.”
    • “I often found myself frustrated by bad luck causing story threads to break: you might miss a crucial trigger without any warning, forcing you to replay extensive repetitive sections just to try again.”
  • gameplay
    178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Sultan's Game is characterized by its innovative blend of card mechanics, resource management, and narrative choices, drawing comparisons to Cultist Simulator while offering a more coherent story and strategic depth. Players appreciate the addictive nature of the gameplay loop, which encourages exploration and decision-making, though some find the mechanics can be complex and the tutorial lacking in depth. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging mechanics and artistic presentation, despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and UI issues.

    • “The gameplay itself is incredibly addictive, the perfect example of the classic 'just one more turn,' and it’s hard to put down.”
    • “The gameplay flow is amazingly innovative and really induces the panic of the ticking of time that the sultan's commands are about.”
    • “The gameplay is quite similar to Cultist Simulator in both getting to figure out stuff on your own and making you see things as only numbers after several games.”
    • “There's a very real chance this gameplay loop is going to turn stale quickly because there isn't that much variation on new runs.”
    • “The gameplay goes as follows: the core gameplay loop is that once each week the sultan has you draw a card from a deck and promises to execute you if you don't do the thing by the end of the week.”
  • music
    83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many players noting its fitting and immersive qualities. However, several reviews mention that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, as it primarily features a limited number of tracks. Despite this, the overall consensus is that the music, alongside the art, significantly contributes to the game's unique aesthetic and storytelling experience.

    • “The art style and original music are fantastic.”
    • “The music makes it feel as if time has no meaning; I could just sit and listen to it for hours and feel as if no time had passed at all.”
    • “The art is gorgeous and distinctive, the writing is evocative and compelling, and the music perfectly captures the atmosphere you're in.”
    • “The music doesn't help the situation too, stirring anxiety with each day closer and closer to your execution.”
    • “There are way too few music tracks, so it kind of feels like torture listening to them on repeat for 20+ hours.”
    • “The only issue is that I felt the music in the demo is way better than the actual official release.”
  • graphics
    80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning artwork and unique art style, which effectively enhances the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and cohesive aesthetic that evoke classical influences, while the accompanying music further enriches the atmosphere. Overall, the game's graphics are described as a significant draw, contributing to its immersive and engaging gameplay.

    • “The art style is beautiful and the story is intriguing!”
    • “The artwork evokes classical Middle Eastern aesthetics with deep color palettes, ornate motifs, and elegant character designs.”
    • “Sultan's game is enrapturing - the visuals are what first caught my eye back in the demo, and the game is a feast for the senses in every regard.”
    • “Graphically speaking, it ran a little hot at some moments, but all in all ran great.”
    • “I feel like other cartoon styles may be exquisite and perfect, but they are not suitable for this somehow bloody and violent aesthetic game.”
    • “It's more direct, more graphic, and often uncomfortable.”
  • replayability
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability, with multiple story paths, character interactions, and unlockable content that encourage players to explore different outcomes. However, some reviewers noted that certain design choices, such as fixed card quantities and a lack of a save system, can hinder the overall replay experience. Despite these drawbacks, many players found the game addictive and engaging, with a rich narrative that invites repeated playthroughs.

    • “Amazing game with high replay value!”
    • “Plenty of replay value, unlocks, and new interesting stories to uncover.”
    • “With all that said, Sultan’s game is a treasure trove of possibilities and immense replay value as long as you are patient and forgiving with the minor rough edges.”
    • “No matter how large the event pool, familiarity breeds path dependency—you'll inevitably face decisions like 'which card to use' and 'on which NPC.' Especially when card quantities are fixed and certain cards are tightly tied to specific events, the difficulty of exhausting every deck is amplified by luck, further eroding replayability.”
    • “All things considered, a decent resource management turn-based game that requires you to trial and error things on your own to do anything, but probably with not that much replayability once you've figured most things out.”
    • “I would love this, but in my second playthrough I already know what parts happen where, so it's not the most replayable game to say the least.”
  • grinding
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game where tasks become monotonous and require significant time investment. While some enjoy the initial engagement and randomness, many feel that the experience deteriorates into an endless loop of grinding, making it less enjoyable over time. Despite these criticisms, a few players appreciate the occasional new events that break the monotony, suggesting that the game has potential for fun amidst the grind.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Even in late game, there are still new, but not tedious events to explore.”
    • “Playing this game isn't like slaying monsters or grinding through levels—it's more like reading a temperamental, mud-slinging novel that drags you into its mire.”
    • “At first, the game was kinda fun and kept me hooked, but once you hit the third playthrough and beyond, it just turns into this endless loop of super tedious, repetitive tasks that drive you nuts!”
    • “It’s more tedious than it is engaging.”
  • atmosphere
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is richly crafted, featuring a hand-drawn art style with baroque influences and a hauntingly minimal soundtrack that evokes feelings of courtly drama and quiet dread. Players appreciate the unique blend of dark yet fascinating elements, with music and visuals that enhance the overall experience, although some suggest that expanding the soundtrack could further enrich the atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully captures an "Arabian nights" vibe, making it a compelling choice for those who value strong narrative and atmospheric depth.

    • “The art employs a hand-drawn style with baroque flair, paired with classical and exotic costume designs, cultivating a rich atmosphere of courtly drama.”
    • “Musically, it features a hauntingly minimal score that enhances the atmosphere of quiet dread and opulence.”
    • “The music and sound effects paired with the artwork create such an incredible atmosphere that fits this game so perfectly that it truly enhances the experience tenfold.”
    • “There's no real oppressive atmosphere anymore, and it feels less like learning about the occult and more like learning about some magical horoscopes.”
    • “The atmosphere is very 'Arabian Nights'; there are so few games that manage to recreate it correctly.”
    • “The existing soundtrack is great, but expanding it with new tracks could further enhance the atmosphere and storytelling.”
  • emotional
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional depth of the game is highlighted as a standout feature, with players praising its compelling narrative that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to heartbreak. Despite its dark themes, the game handles sensitive topics with care, incorporating humor and authentic romantic subplots that enhance the emotional weight of player decisions. Overall, it is described as a rich and rewarding experience that challenges players with tough choices, making it one of the most impactful titles in the strategy-narrative genre.

    • “Card games rarely strike emotional notes, but Sultan's game might just be the deepest and most compelling narrative title I've played this year.”
    • “The dark themes are handled well; there is some humor in it too sometimes, and even heartbreaking moments make this game feel very rich and rewarding.”
    • “Romantic subplots, including same-sex relationships, are handled with care and authenticity, adding emotional weight to your decisions.”
  • humor
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its clever blend of humor with darker themes, showcasing characters who use comedy as a coping mechanism for their grim realities. Players find the humor to be both entertaining and unhinged, with witty dialogue and absurd plot points, such as a surgery for mechanical vibrating genitals, adding to its charm. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances the game's engaging storylines and artistic style.

    • “The storylines mix tragic, horrific, and humorous elements brilliantly, keeping you constantly curious about what’s coming next.”
    • “Exquisite visuals, witty and humorous language, it's the most fun political and card game!”
    • “This game is also hilarious and, well, unhinged.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and engagement, with players appreciating the intricate designs and historical influences, particularly in the portrayal of female characters. The interactions and growth of characters are likened to those in Crusader Kings, but with a more hands-on approach, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The artwork evokes classical Middle Eastern aesthetics with deep color palettes, ornate motifs, and elegant character designs.”
    • “Love the character design, especially the female characters.”
    • “Came for the nipple piercings, stayed for the character development.”
    • “If you are interested in the history of the Chinese royal court, you'll find that some character designs are gasp in admiration.”
    • “There is also a sense of character development and interaction, much like Crusader Kings but with more direct control.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits several glitches and UI issues that, while not significantly impacting gameplay, detract from its overall polish and give it an early access feel rather than that of a fully released product.

    • “The game has various glitches and UI problems that, while not directly affecting gameplay, still detract from the overall polish, making it feel more like an early access title than a full release.”
    • “Frequent crashes and performance issues make it hard to enjoy the game, as stability seems to be a major concern.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted my experience, leading to frustration and a lack of confidence in the game's stability.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Sultan's game is praised for its fair monetization approach, distinguishing itself in the roguelike genre and among card-based games by avoiding exploitative practices often associated with cash grabs.

    • “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy without spending money.”
    • “I was really excited to play, but the constant push for in-game purchases ruined the experience for me.”
    • “It's frustrating that you can't progress without spending real money; it feels like a pay-to-win scheme.”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization strikes a balance between a deck-builder and visual novel, incorporating skill checks and modifiers that appeal to players seeking optimization. While the mechanics may not be entirely fluid, they are sufficiently optimized to provide a smooth turn-by-turn experience.

    • “This feels like a combo of a deck-builder and visual novel, with skill checks and modifiers added in to scratch that optimization bug.”
    • “Mechanically, the gameplay is not what you would call 'fully fluent', but it's optimized enough to allow for a relatively smooth turn-by-turn experience.”
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38h Median play time
45h Average play time
12-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Sultan's Game is a role playing game.

Sultan's Game is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 45 hours playing Sultan's Game.

Sultan's Game was released on March 30, 2025.

Sultan's Game was developed by Double Cross.

Sultan's Game has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Sultan's Game is a single player game.

Similar games include Back to the Dawn, I Was a Teenage Exocolonist, The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante, Cultist Simulator, The Pale Beyond and others.