Monarchy Review

In a gaming landscape dominated by sprawling 3D strategy titles, Monarchy by Brain Seal Entertainment offers a refreshing twist. This 2D side-scrolling strategy game invites players to step into the shoes of a ruler tasked with building a thriving base, managing scarce resources, exploring a mysterious forest, and conquering enemies in tactical skirmishes. With its unique visual style and streamlined mechanics, Monarchy seeks to blend accessibility with depth, catering to both seasoned strategists and newcomers.

Released across multiple platforms, Monarchy challenges players to unleash their strategic brilliance in a compact, side-scrolling format. The game’s core focus on exploration and combat ensures that every decision feels impactful, whether you’re expanding your kingdom’s reach or fending off hostile invaders. While it may lack the grandeur of traditional RTS titles, Monarchy compensates with a focused, fast-paced experience that thrives on its 2D charm and tactical gameplay.

The game’s promise lies in its tight mechanics and atmospheric world. The forest you explore teems with mysteries, offering resources, hidden dangers, and opportunities for expansion. Meanwhile, the side-scrolling perspective streamlines the chaos often associated with large-scale strategy games, delivering a more intimate and approachable experience without sacrificing complexity.

But does Monarchy truly capture the balance between accessibility and strategic depth, or does its format hinder its potential? Let’s delve into the world of this intriguing indie strategy game.

Setting and Story: A Kingdom of Mystery and Ambition

Monarchy places players in a world shrouded in mystery, where lush forests and shadowy corners hide both opportunities and threats. While the game leans heavily on gameplay rather than deep narrative elements, the setting effectively establishes a backdrop that fosters exploration, tension, and strategic decision-making. The forest isn’t just a backdrop; it’s an ever-present challenge, offering resources vital to your survival and growth while concealing dangers that could end your rule.

The game starts with you at the helm of a fledgling kingdom, tasked with expanding your territory and defending your base against hostile forces. The lack of a complex story allows players to focus entirely on strategy, but subtle environmental storytelling fills in the gaps. Abandoned ruins hint at civilizations that came before, and encounters with hostile factions suggest a world rich with untold lore. While the narrative isn’t front and center, it’s woven into the game’s mechanics and exploration, rewarding players who pay attention to their surroundings.

The forest plays a dual role in the game. On one hand, it’s a source of resources, with timber, ore, and other materials hidden within its depths. On the other, it’s a dangerous place filled with enemies, environmental hazards, and unknown risks. Venturing into the forest requires careful preparation, as every trip could lead to valuable discoveries—or costly losses. This dynamic adds tension to exploration, making every decision to push forward or retreat a calculated gamble.

The lack of named characters or dialogue doesn’t detract from the experience. Instead, the game’s minimalistic approach to storytelling fits its focus on strategy and gameplay. The decisions you make—where to explore, what to build, and how to defend—become the story of your reign, with each victory and defeat shaping the narrative of your kingdom’s rise or fall.

Gameplay and Mechanics: Strategy Meets Simplicity

Monarchy thrives on its blend of accessible 2D mechanics and layered strategy, delivering a side-scrolling experience that feels fresh yet familiar. The game’s core loop revolves around building your base, managing resources, exploring the enigmatic forest, and leading your forces in tactical skirmishes. Each element is designed to interlock seamlessly, creating a strategic rhythm that keeps players engaged while demanding careful planning and adaptability.

Base Building and Resource Management

At the heart of Monarchy is its base-building system, which balances simplicity with strategic depth. Players construct various structures, from resource-gathering facilities like lumber mills and mines to defensive outposts and barracks. The 2D perspective ensures that layouts are straightforward, but the placement of buildings remains crucial, as the proximity to resources and defensive positioning can mean the difference between prosperity and ruin.

Resource management is equally important. Timber, stone, and gold are vital for expansion and upgrades, requiring players to balance their priorities. Should you fortify your defenses or invest in advanced units? The scarcity of resources forces tough choices, ensuring that each decision feels meaningful. Efficiently managing your kingdom’s economy becomes a rewarding puzzle as you optimize production and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Exploration and Risk vs. Reward

The forest is both your greatest opportunity and your most daunting threat. As you send troops to explore its depths, you’ll encounter resource-rich areas, hidden treasures, and enemy strongholds. However, venturing too far without adequate preparation can lead to devastating losses. This risk-reward dynamic keeps exploration exciting, as each foray into the unknown carries the promise of great rewards—or crushing defeat.

Exploration also introduces environmental hazards and puzzles that require creative thinking. Some areas are blocked until you gather specific resources or unlock particular technologies, adding a layer of progression that ties exploration to your kingdom’s growth. The forest isn’t just a place to gather materials; it’s an ever-changing arena where strategy meets unpredictability.

Combat and Tactical Decisions

Combat in Monarchy is fast-paced but requires careful planning. Players can command a variety of units, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Infantry excels in close quarters, while archers and siege units provide support from a distance. Battles often hinge on positioning and timing, with the 2D perspective making engagements feel intimate and immediate.

The game’s AI keeps players on their toes, with enemy factions adapting to your tactics. Surprise raids, ambushes, and coordinated attacks force you to remain vigilant and proactive. The addition of environmental factors—like narrow chokepoints or hazardous terrain—adds complexity to engagements, making each battle a test of wits as much as strength.

Upgrades and Customization

Monarchy encourages experimentation through its upgrade system. Players can enhance their units, unlock new technologies, and improve their resource production capabilities. These upgrades allow you to tailor your kingdom to your playstyle, whether you prefer a defensive approach, rapid expansion, or relentless aggression. The ability to adapt your strategy on the fly ensures that no two playthroughs feel the same.

Overall, Monarchy strikes a satisfying balance between simplicity and depth, making it an excellent choice for both casual players and strategy veterans.

Multiplayer and Replayability: A Realm of Endless Possibilities

Monarchy places its strategic focus on the single-player experience but ensures significant replayability through its dynamic mechanics and procedurally generated content. While multiplayer modes are absent, the game’s core loop, varied playstyles, and unpredictable challenges offer plenty of reasons for players to return to the kingdom they’ve built—or attempt to rebuild it differently.

Endless Forest, Endless Challenges

The forest’s ever-changing layout and resource distribution make every playthrough feel distinct. Each new game generates a unique world, requiring players to adapt their strategies based on available resources and environmental challenges. No two expeditions into the forest are the same, with randomized enemy placements and terrain ensuring a fresh experience with every session.

Tailoring Your Kingdom

Monarchy’s customization options contribute significantly to its replayability. Each playthrough allows you to experiment with different building layouts, unit combinations, and upgrade paths. Whether you prioritize economic dominance, aggressive expansion, or stalwart defense, the game’s systems encourage creativity and adaptability. The ability to refine your approach with each new attempt adds depth and longevity to the experience.

Sandbox Freedom

The game’s sandbox-style approach to kingdom management provides players with the freedom to shape their realm however they see fit. Whether focusing on fortifying your base or exploring the forest for every scrap of treasure, Monarchy doesn’t force a single path to success. This freedom is complemented by the game’s pacing, which allows players to take their time building and strategizing without feeling rushed.

Challenges and High Scores

For those seeking additional replay value, Monarchy includes optional challenges and goals that encourage strategic experimentation. These objectives range from surviving a certain number of enemy waves to completing forest expeditions under specific constraints. High score tracking adds a competitive edge, inviting players to outdo themselves or compare progress with friends.

While the lack of a multiplayer component may limit its appeal to those seeking competitive play, Monarchy more than compensates with its robust single-player offerings. Its procedurally generated worlds and strategic flexibility make it a game that players will want to revisit time and time again.

Graphics and Sound: A Minimalist Kingdom with Immersive Atmosphere

Monarchy may not boast cutting-edge visuals, but its art style exudes charm and functionality, making it a visually appealing and accessible experience. The game’s 2D side-scrolling perspective works to its advantage, offering a clear and concise presentation of its complex mechanics while maintaining a distinct visual identity.

Stylized Simplicity

The game’s art style is minimalist yet vibrant, with each biome offering a distinct aesthetic. From the dense, shadowy forest to the bustling activity of your growing base, every environment is carefully crafted to evoke a sense of purpose and atmosphere. While it doesn’t strive for hyper-realism, the stylized visuals provide clarity in gameplay, ensuring players can easily differentiate between units, resources, and threats. This clean design is especially helpful in intense situations where quick decision-making is crucial.

Animations that Speak

Character and unit animations, while simple, are fluid and engaging. Workers scurry back and forth carrying resources, soldiers clash with enemies in dynamic skirmishes, and trees sway gently in the breeze. These small touches bring the world of Monarchy to life, adding a layer of immersion to the otherwise straightforward visuals. Combat animations are punchy, with clear feedback for hits, misses, and unit actions, ensuring players remain connected to the outcomes of their strategies.

Soundscapes of Strategy

The audio design complements the gameplay beautifully. The ambient sounds of the forest, the rhythmic clinking of workers gathering resources, and the clash of steel in combat all contribute to a dynamic and immersive soundscape. Each sound effect is purposeful, offering auditory cues that aid in gameplay while enhancing the atmosphere.

A Soothing yet Heroic Soundtrack

The game’s soundtrack strikes a balance between calm, reflective melodies during base-building phases and more intense, dramatic themes during battles and forest expeditions. The music enhances the tone of the game, drawing players into the dual experience of managing a kingdom and defending it from threats. While the soundtrack isn’t groundbreaking, it serves its purpose well, ensuring that the game feels cohesive and engaging.

While Monarchy’s visuals and sound design might not push boundaries, they excel in creating an atmosphere that feels polished and immersive. The minimalist approach works in harmony with the gameplay, offering clarity and charm without overwhelming players with unnecessary details.

Final Thoughts: A Compact Kingdom of Strategy

Monarchy by Brain Seal Entertainment is a charming and engaging entry into the strategy genre, offering a unique blend of simplicity and depth within its 2D side-scrolling format. While it may not reinvent the wheel, it provides an accessible yet challenging experience that appeals to both casual players and seasoned strategists. Its focus on resource management, tactical combat, and exploration ensures a rewarding gameplay loop that keeps players coming back for more.

Strengths of the Crown

The game’s strongest suit is its seamless integration of base-building, exploration, and combat. The risk-reward dynamic of venturing into the forest for resources and treasures adds a layer of tension and excitement to the gameplay, while the ability to customize your kingdom and experiment with different strategies ensures high replayability. The minimalist visuals and clear mechanics make it easy to pick up, yet the depth of its systems provides plenty of room for mastery.

Room for Expansion

However, Monarchy isn’t without its limitations. The absence of a multiplayer mode, while compensated for by its robust single-player offerings, may leave some players longing for competitive or cooperative experiences. Additionally, the lack of a more prominent narrative might feel like a missed opportunity to further immerse players in the world. For a game so rooted in exploration and survival, a deeper story or more fleshed-out characters could have elevated the experience.

The Heart of Strategy

What Monarchy achieves is an admirable balance between accessibility and challenge. The procedurally generated maps, varied unit upgrades, and dynamic AI ensure that no two games feel alike. It encourages experimentation and strategic thinking, rewarding players for adapting to the ever-changing threats and opportunities of its compact kingdom.

A Worthy Throne

Ultimately, Monarchy stands as a solid and enjoyable indie strategy title. Its streamlined mechanics, vibrant aesthetics, and engaging gameplay loop make it a worthwhile addition to any strategy fan’s library. While it may not rival the grandeur of larger-scale RTS games, its unique charm and focused design carve out a niche that’s both refreshing and fun. Whether you’re fortifying your kingdom or leading your troops into the depths of the forest, Monarchy ensures that every decision feels impactful, making it a reign worth experiencing.

We prepared this review with a digital copy of Monarchy for the PS5 version provided by Evolve PR.