Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | – | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 85% | 78 | 53 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 88% | 82 | 79 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Nov 8, 2024) · 79 reviews sampled · 46 total reviews in window · weighted 28.8 up / 3.8 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (11)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 50
“A pretty well shameless 1-to-1 reskin of far too many specific aspects of another property simply isn’t a good look”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Monarchy isn't a bad game and offers good freedom of action and beautiful artistic graphics. However, it doesn't bring anything new to the genre and in most cases, it feels repetitive. Additionally, the lack of a story and its quick tendency to become repetitive mean there are better options available in the market.”
read full review ↗ - 65
- 90
“Monarchy is a finely crafted game that does everything right in its ability to combine strategic gameplay with incredible design, both in terms of art and gameplay. It offers delightful visuals, captivating mechanics, a well-balanced difficulty, and an array of mysteries and non-linear progression.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Monarchy tries to recreate the magic of Kingdom Two Crowns, but only partially succeeds. For fans of the genre it can offer a nice change of pace, but ultimately it feels like a lesser copy that fails to convince with its own well-thought-out content. Kingdom Two Crowns remains the undisputed king of this genre and proves that a game that is well-finished and thoughtfully designed has much more to offer than a game that merely tries to follow in its footsteps.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Monarchy offers a unique and entertaining experience, albeit one that requires patience and tolerance for its flaws.”
read full review ↗ - 20
“Monarchy brings some unique ideas to the 2D strategy genre. Its open-building system and automated military mechanics offer an experience that feels both ambitious and at times a bit overwhelming. If you’re a player who enjoys figuring things out and can overlook some of the game’s quirks, Monarchy could be a charming addition to your strategy collection. However, for those who prefer clear tutorials, and smoother progression, it may feel like a rough-around-the-edges experience. Monarchy has potential but could use a few more jousts to iron out some of its issues. Still, it’s an intriguing journey for strategy enthusiasts. Monarchy is awarded the Thumb Culture Silver Award. For a top down city builder title check out our review of Citadelum”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Monarchy offers a charming take on the side-scrolling strategy genre, blending base-building, resource management, and light combat into a visually appealing package. Its relaxed gameplay and cooperative mode make it a great choice for casual players or families, especially those looking for a less demanding alternative to games like Kingdom Two Crowns. However, the game’s lack of tutorials, clunky controls, and repetitive mechanics hold it back from reaching its full potential.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Monarchy presents itself as an intriguing challenge for strategy lovers, offering an experience that prioritizes cunning and planning over pure adrenaline. The initial charm, however, quickly dissipates, a victim of gameplay that falls into the trap of monotony. The inability to personally descend onto the battlefield leaves a bitter taste, forcing players to passively observe as their troops fight, depriving them of the thrill of direct action.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Brain Seal invites us to manage a kingdom from scratch in a fluid, minimalist and understandable way for all types of users. We will play the role of a king who, on the back of his steed, will have to send his subjects a series of tasks for the proper functioning of the kingdom.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Monarchy is a fun game for quick casual sessions or seeing everything possible in a couple of longer waves of gameplay. It is a relaxing time that never becomes difficult to understand or overbearing which makes it perfect for all abilities of gamers. My six-year-old son enjoyed watching me play and kept coming up with suggestions on what to do next and he had his little planning brain on. It may be a little too simplistic for the hardcore strategy fans out there like myself and I did feel myself pining for more during several segments of the game. But the experience stands on its own two feet with a lovely cute vibe to its art style and great foundations if the developers want to add more in future.”
read full review ↗
Nindie Spotlight
Zoomg
Games Freezer
NoobFeed
Evilgamerz
Entertainment Geekly
Thumb Culture
Screen Hype
Hynerd.it
Comunidad Xbox
CompletexboxPatch history
- Updated difficulty and balance adjustmentsNov 8, 2024significant · resets scoring window