The Reigns games became popular for their simple and elegant, but addictive, gameplay loop. Since the first game’s release the developers have done many tie in games which help revitalize interest in the series as well as add improvements. The most successful of which being the Reigns: Game of Thrones spin-off. Which allowed players to attempt to secure the Iron Throne. The latest takes inspiration from real life history over fantasy with Reigns: Three Kingdoms recently releasing…
Details of Reigns: Three Kingdoms
Developer: Nerial
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Platform: PC, Windows, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, Google Play, Android
Release Date: 11th January 2024
Price: £2.49
Story of Reigns: Three Kingdoms
The story of Reigns: Three Kingdoms sees you working for this mysterious organization as your sent back intime Assassin’s Creed style. In order to inhabit as many lives as possible during the culmination of the Three Kingdoms and 13 regions of Japan. During the game your handler lets slip that you’re not meant to be remembering each life. As when you die as one person the machine is meant to erase your memory of that lifetime. For some reason, your invulnerable to this. Keeping your memories of past lives as your progress onto the next in your quest to unite the three kingdoms.
You even get informed by your handler you’re not the only time traveler helping unite the three kingdoms. Leaving you wary of everyone you encounter as some of them are in fact other people who have travelled from the future. Yet you remain unsure whether they have the same goal as you. Or even the same moral alignment.
Analysis of Reigns: Three Kingdoms
Gameplay
The gameplay sees players take on life after life as they try to unite the 13 regions. Players will be faced with a situation each turn and must carefully choose one of two options. With each option having a direct effect on your four aspects. Managing these aspects (Money, People, Army, and the fourth is usually the church but it has been changed out for another aspect which isn’t listed). If any aspect becomes to high or too low then the current monarch (player) will die.
With this being the fifth installment in the Reigns series the developers chose to revamp the core gameplay by making two noticeable additions. The first being multiplayer and the second combat. A first for the series. Combat is creative and sees players draft cards from the roster (upwards of nine) before starting the battle. Each card has a set health and damage rating, players must eliminate all cards and reinforcements, or knock the opponents health to 0 to win. With the card you attacked with being unavailable until you use another one, with the cards rotating as they attack. Adding another level of strategy.
Summary of Reigns: Three Kingdoms
To conclude Reigns: Three Kingdoms is one of the more creative spin offs from the original. Although the themed pop culture tie-ins were innovative themselves, Reigns: Three Kingdoms takes the series in a more unique direction. With the developers taking inspiration from the Assassin’s Creed series and fleshing out the actual lore of the franchise. Primarily, explaining how you inhabit all these different lives. With these story beats paired with simply addictive gameplay that can be enjoyed for as little as a few minutes and as long as a full weekend. If you love the series you need to play Three Kingdoms!
Overall Rating: 8 – Very Good!
Recommendation: YES!
Platform Played On: Steam Deck
