Monarchy - PC Review

Game banner for 'MONARCHY' with cartoon knights, a fire, and skeleton enemies at night. With swans along the water.

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Let’s dive into Monarchy (available now on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch), Developed and Published by Brain Seal Ltd. Monarchy is a 2D side-scrolling strategy game combining resource management, exploration, and battling with bandits. Think of it as a blend of medieval city-builder meets adventure quest, with a dollop of cartoonish charm. Its main competitor will be Kingdom Two Crowns, and we shall discuss their similarities and differences.

Monarchy: Reign Supreme or Just Another Knightmare?

If you’re a fan of Kingdom Two Crowns, then Monarchy should pique your interest. Meanwhile, Monarchy could be a close cousin, sharing that same base-building, resource-managing vibe. However, we’re eager to see how its 2D digital art style— instead of the pixelated look—might bring a new charm.

What stands out is Monarchy’s dynamic building freedom and the fresh challenges in each unique environment. Even fighting giant spiders we’re excited to explore these changes and uncover any surprises in store!

Monarchy in stylised style. landscape with a bright sun, characters, and a chicken under a tree.With fully armoured knight running on their horse — Fly my Steed

So, are you excited to dive into Monarchy? Do you have a particular feature you’re looking forward to, or do you think it’ll offer something fresh compared to Kingdom Two Crowns? Drop us a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Gameplay

Once you start Monarchy, there’s no option for mouse-clicking, only the keyboard can be used. It feels clunky for anyone accustomed to using a mouse to navigate menus. You’re thrust into the game with very little handholding – there are no tutorials to guide you, and only a single arrow hints at where to start. Exploration is more of the “learn through trial and error” variety.

In Monarchy, they market it as allowing you to place buildings wherever you choose. This isn’t quite the case, as you will have a cross if you have gone out of the bounds of placement. You can also only place certain kinds of buildings in a particular area. While overall, there is an allowance for more customisation than other games in the genre, it can also be frustrating at first as you need to figure out the best placement.

Game scene from Monarchy featuring a character with a crown riding a horse under a full moonlit sky, with a woodland backdrop and a companion carrying a bow.With a bubble overhead showing a tent with a smaller bubble with a red cross to the left — This is not a designated area

Initially, you start with a trusty archer by your side. Unlike other games like Kingdom Two Crowns, where you’re entirely solo (unless playing co-op), Monarchy starts you off with a companion ready to help hunt down animals for resources and beat the odd enemy. The major problem is that if they are killed, they cannot get another companion. Still, there’s a frustrating lack of guidance on how to expand your kingdom. The provided icons lack clear instructions for use, and new icons for building appear without explanation. Users must engage in some trial and error to understand their purpose.

Illustrated medieval fantasy game scene featuring knights and a campsite under a starry night sky. The scene includes characters in armor with a horse, and two panels depicting what appears to be homeless people and the other a tent with multiple suns. — What does this mean?

Explore and Conquer: Caves, Bandits, and the Ever-Moving Goalpost

When the game progresses, the objectives become apparent: survive each night by building up your base and upgrading resources. Unfortunately, the upgrading process isn’t straightforward. You may eventually discover that you need to survive until a specific day for upgrades to unlock, but until then, you’ll be confused.

The game features several levels, each offering a unique challenge. In Bandit Land, you’re tasked with clearing out caves of bandits, while The Siege puts your strategic skills to the test to take on castle walls. While each level adds variety, it doesn’t always make things easy. For example, on Bandit Land, there’s no indication of where to head first, leaving you to guess. Inevitably, you’ll stumble upon bandits too soon, only to meet a swift end.

There appears to be no save either; only: restart, continue, or new game. You can’t say, save bandit land and then do a different mode or have multiple saves so you can reload and prepare better.

The Monarchy military system did not seem intuitive. Once trained, your troops would simply walk around, engaging any nearby enemies that came to them or they walked to, but you couldn’t actually send them into battle. This can feel impersonal, as your only real task is to march them to the front lines. There’s no real positioning or tactics – it’s a case of getting them to the right spot and hoping for the best.

For additional defence, a trap system allows you to purchase and place spear traps. It’s a nice touch and lets you have a bit more control over your base’s safety.

Graphics and Audio

Visually, Monarchy has a vibrant charm, making the game feel more alive than the pixelated style of Kingdom Two Crowns. It’s simple, yet it has enough detail to feel immersive. The lack of visual cues for certain actions (like knowing where to go at times) can detract from this experience, though. The soundtrack has a somewhat eerie, repetitive tone that feels at odds with the game’s setting, particularly during sunnier in-game days. Progressing through the game starting at tents and wooden defenses. Seeing this progress to Stone and seeing your army progress to was brilliant.

A vibrant, animated medieval scene with knights, a castle, and a mountainous backdrop. Bright blue sky with shining sun — Look at the size of that rock

Longevity

When it comes to longevity, Monarchy may leave seasoned strategy fans wanting a bit more. With only four distinct levels, including the introduction, the game’s progression is straightforward and a bit limited. Each level, while visually distinct, offers only a single, linear map without the use of a boat that games like Kingdom Two Crowns provide.

You won’t find extra regions to explore or unique areas unlocked through replay. Once you complete a level, you won’t find much incentive to revisit unless the game’s aesthetic draws you back in. In terms of playtime, you can likely finish Monarchy in about four hours, making it a relatively brief experience for a strategy title. While it’s enjoyable at the moment, it may not offer the depth or variation to keep players coming back. If you’re looking for a light strategy session, Monarchy could be a nice choice—but don’t expect it to be a game that you’ll keep returning to for new discoveries.

Final Thoughts

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

Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.

About Author

Tyler Denyer

Tyler Denyer/ Tyluild is a passionate journalist, whose love of video games runs deep. With a focus on crafting captivating video game reviews, they immerse themselves in the worlds of gaming, especially ones with deep and rich lore. Beyond games Tyler is a lover of cats, travelling and finding a tasty treat to eat. Eager to stay on top of the latest trends, they regularly attend video game events, and keep on top of news in the gaming world. Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity, our journalist is equally enthralled by not just games themselves, but also new accessories. Their favorite style of game? Without a doubt, RPGs, allowing Tyler to fully explore his imagination, the grind in game is less tedious than in life.

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Monarchy – PC Review