The Monarch: First Light

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 63 reviews
  • gameplay
  • monetization
  • atmosphere
The Monarch: First Light Game Cover
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Full Release About the Game The Monarch is a Kingdom-like strategy game that has minimalistic control & smooth gameplay with power-up aspects. The gates of hell open each night, terrorizing the land. As the player, you must find a way to destroy the gates and defend your lands in the process! Gather coins, recruit peasants, train units, build powerful structures, gain power-ups, and adapt!…

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 63 reviews
gameplay3 positive mentions
monetization2 negative mentions
  • The game offers fun and engaging gameplay, making it enjoyable even as a demo.
  • It combines elements of kingdom management and tower defense, providing a refreshing take on the genre.
  • The atmosphere and music enhance the gameplay experience, creating a relaxing environment.
  • The game lacks originality, feeling like a mix of various popular titles without any unique ideas.
  • There are issues with optimization, including crashes when exiting to the main menu.
  • The demo is short and may not provide enough content to fully understand the game's potential.
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its fun and addictive mechanics, with players enjoying the minimalist design and the challenge of discovering new features as they progress. However, some users feel that the demo lacks sufficient gameplay features to fully assess the experience, suggesting that more content may be needed in the future. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience that encourages improvement and engagement.

    • “It has really good content for a prologue and the music is so in tune with the atmosphere that it supports the gameplay in the background.”
    • “I really like the game; I'm not really good at it and make a lot of mistakes, but still it's fun and you are eager to improve your gameplay.”
    • “When I started to play, I just couldn't stop because it looks so simple and minimalist, but it's a great experience that requires you to learn a lot. Discovering new features is part of the challenge and part of the fun of the game.”
    • “But I do think it lacks gameplay features; maybe there's more to come, but the demo is not enough to understand it.”
    • “When I started to play, I just couldn't stop playing because it looks so simple, so minimalist, but it's a great experience that you need to learn a lot of stuff. It's all implicit; all you discover is part of the gameplay. I don't know how they did it, but they designed the game in a way that discovering the new features is part of the challenge and part of the fun of the game.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it lacks genuine investment in quality and misleads players by presenting prologues as complete games. Overall, the sentiment suggests a negative view of the game's financial practices.

    • “My guess is this is just a cash grab game with no real time or money invested into it. Don't play, don't buy.”
    • “The new advertising meta is pretending prologues are full games.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with users noting that the music effectively enhances the overall experience and complements the gameplay. Initial impressions suggest a simple design, yet the atmosphere captivates players, contributing to a rich and engaging environment.

    • “It has really good content for a prologue, and the music is so in tune with the atmosphere that it supports the gameplay in the background.”
    • “The first moment I saw this game, I thought it was going to be a very simple game, and I loved the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “It has really good content for a prologue and the music is so in tune with the atmosphere that it supports the gameplay in the background.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to a subpar experience that has prompted users to label it as a poor copy of other titles. Overall, it is not recommended due to these shortcomings.

    • “The game is quite poorly optimized; it feels like a blatant copy. I don't recommend it.”
    • “The performance issues are frustrating, making it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and long loading times, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
  • graphics1 mentions

    The game's graphics are reminiscent of a blend of popular titles, featuring a 3D kingdom aesthetic similar to Minecraft Dungeons, complemented by World of Warcraft-inspired sound effects and mob designs. This unique combination creates a visually engaging experience that draws from familiar styles while maintaining its own identity.

    • “This game feels like a mix of various popular titles: it's like a 3D kingdom with Minecraft Dungeons graphics, World of Warcraft sound effects and mob designs, and a Vampire Survivors leveling and skill system.”
    • “The graphics are a confusing blend of styles, resembling a mix of Minecraft Dungeons and World of Warcraft, which makes it hard to take the game seriously.”
    • “The visual quality feels outdated, lacking the polish and detail expected from modern games.”
    • “The character designs and environments are uninspired, making the game feel visually bland and unoriginal.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, effectively supporting the gameplay and creating an immersive experience, particularly in the prologue.

    • “The music is so in tune with the atmosphere that it supports the gameplay in the background.”
    • “It has really good content for a prologue.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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