Game Review #335: Reigns: Game of Thrones (Nintendo Switch)

Reviewer: Chad M.

Developer: Nerial

Publisher: Devolver Digital

Category: Adventure, RPG, Simulation, Strategy

Release Date: 04.10.2019

Price (at time of review): $3.99

Buy Reigns: Game of Thrones from the Nintendo Switch eShop here.

How Can One Devolve Into A Smash Hit?

If you’re a fan of strategy games, you may have some experience with developer Nerial, as they have a series called Reigns. The first came in 2016, named Reigns, the second, Reigns: Her Majesty, came in 2017, and now, the one we’re looking at today is the third entry, which came in 2018, Reigns: Game of Thrones. Reigns: GoT first released on mobile devices and PC before a version finally came to Nintendo Switch in April of 2019. Devolver already being the publisher behind the Reigns series release on Switch makes the Reigns: GoT just another title amongst their ever-growing library of solid titles.

The Game of Thrones is a Deadly One!

To delve into the story of Game of Thrones would be such a huge undertaking, so I’ll circle the wagons and say that I think this should only be played by fans of the book series or TV show, or you’ll be very lost with not only the story, but all the characters’ little nuances and characteristics. The main gist is that you have the throne, which is in a place called King’s Landing, and there is a constant battling going on for who will take the throne and all the power that comes with ruling over the seven kingdoms; but this is not a battle that takes place on a battlefield, per se, or normally it’s not. No, this is a battle of secrets, deals, treachery, and backstabbing. There are a ton of characters to keep up with, as well as with whom they’re on good or bad terms. I highly recommend watching the show, and by around the fifth season or so, you should be good to start playing the game.

Chaos Is A Ladder...

Reigns: Game of Thrones plays similarly to its predecessors. The creator described the game as, "Tinder meets Game of Thrones.” The game allows the player to be one of the principals from the Game of Thrones universe, including Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, and Sansa Stark. In the game, the player is continually presented with questions regarding the ruling of their kingdom, where each has a binary choice: swipe left to accept, or right to decline the proposal in question.

Every choice can have an impact on four factors: military strength, religious favour, domestic popularity, and state wealth. Each card indicates which factors would be affected by either decision, but not how strongly, or whether the effect would be positive or negative. If either factor rises to its maximum or falls to its minimum, the player's character dies, and is succeeded by another character. The player begins the game as Daenerys Targaryen and progressively unlocks other characters throughout the gameplay. With each character, the player encounters different challenges based on that character's story arc. The game also includes mini-games, such as jousting and tavern brawling.

Audio & Visuals

The visuals are great, even if they’re on the simple side. We have all the characters we know and love, but with a washed-out, plain look brought over from the previous Reigns games that works really well. Everything ran smoothly in both docked and handheld modes.

The audio was done rather well also, with a soundtrack that is top-notch; and when the characters talk, rather than having the voiceovers of the actors we adore, we get this kind of garbled sound like when the parents talk to the kids in Charlie Brown movies.

It’s A Wrap!!!

As a fan of the TV show, this is a slam dunk in just about every way possible. You get a solid strategy game in the form of Reigns, which, no matter how many times I played, it never felt repetitive or boring. If you’re a fan of the books or TV show, I highly recommend picking this up immediately, because at this price, it’s an absolute steal!