Info about Mandate Order:

Official game description:
**Mandate Order** is an ancient war simulation and city-building game set in ancient China, combining construction, management, and tactical strategy.
The game features free-form city-state construction, a retainer system inspired by the Hundred Schools of Thought, dynamic seasonal and weather changes, and large-scale real-time tactical battles. Under the constant threat of enemy invasion, you will build and manage an ancient military stronghold that integrates production, defense, and warfare.
**Mandate Order Gameplay**
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**1\. “Build” — City-State Construction, Free Planning, Seasonal Farming, Spring Plowing and Summer Cultivation**
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A gridless free-building system allows you to construct everything from residences and farms to workshops and barracks, forming a complete urban production chain.
The game features rich farming, building, gathering, and production systems. A full annual production cycle brings seasonal changes that affect not only the visual atmosphere, but also city management and the rhythm of marching and warfare.
**2\. "Stratagem"— Retainers, the Hundred Schools of Thought, Diplomacy, National Policies, Alliances and Rivalries**
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Rule like a city lord or feudal ruler: integrate different schools of thought, formulate diplomatic strategies, and shape your own philosophy of governance. Make choices such as forming alliances, declaring ceasefires, opening trade, or joining forces against powerful enemies. A nine-grid national policy system works together with court debates, while the schools of your retainers influence the direction of policy.
Recruit retainers from Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, Legalism, Militarism, Agriculturalism, and other schools. Assign them to city governance, military command, diplomatic negotiation, and national policy development. Different combinations create unique gameplay experiences.
**3\. "Conquer"— Strategy Before Battle, Thousand-Unit Warfare, Line-Drawing Formations, and Physical Siege Combat**
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Use simple mouse line-drawing commands to quickly deploy formations, enabling tactics such as encirclement, breakthrough, siege assault, and defense. Chariot charges, fortress warfare, thousand-unit battlefields, and a pseudo-physics knockback system create an immersive ancient warfare experience.
Build a complete fortress defense system with walls, towers, catapults, ballistae, and more. Plan your military architecture around walls and defensive structures, with enhanced physical feedback to make battlefield impact more tangible.
**4\. "Worship"— Follow the Seasons in Farming and War; Answer Heaven’s Mandate Through Ritual**
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Offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth to pray for the fortune of your state. The ritual system affects natural disasters, calamities, and event outcomes. How you respond to these trials will become a test of your judgment and morality.
As the old saying goes: fortune and misfortune depend upon each other. After a devastating disaster, could there also be a hidden opportunity for growth?
**5\. "Reform"— Industrial Coordination, Logistics Above All**
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Through technological development, building upgrades, and logistics systems, you will experience not only the advancement of tools and techniques, but also the deeper transformation of institutions and civilization.
Raw materials such as timber, ore, and grain go through gathering, processing, storage, and distribution to form a complete industrial chain.
Depending on the sandbox environment and your available resources, you must constantly adjust your strategy, strengthen your state through reform, and renew old systems to survive and grow.
**Key Features of Mandate Order**
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*   🔸 A unique Eastern war city-building experience rooted in China’s Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods
*   🔸 A Hundred Schools of Thought retainer system, with different schools enabling different playstyles
*   🔸 Gridless free-form construction and a deep logistics system
*   🔸 Large-scale real-time tactical battles, including chariot charges and fortress warfare
*   🔸 Dynamic seasons and weather, natural disasters, and a ritual system
*   🔸 Diplomacy and national policy systems that extend strategic depth
*   🔸 Sandbox mode with multiple ways to play
**Recommended For Players Who Enjoy**
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City-building, war simulation, Eastern tactics, city management, resource management, and strategic decision-making.
**Follow the Game**
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Follow us for ongoing development updates and gameplay information.
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We believe that a truly complete game is not born in a closed development environment. It is shaped through continuous dialogue with players.
With respect and dedication, we look forward to your criticism, suggestions, and feedback.

Release date: Aug 11, 2026

Categories: City Builder, Resource Management, Real-time Strategy, Historical Strategy, Diplomacy, Base Building, Siege Warfare

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Partial Compatibility - Needs Updates; summary: The game exhibits two major issues on Steam Deck: severe frame drops that force lowest settings for marginal stability, and extremely small UI text that causes eye strain and hampers readability. Both problems require user workarounds or developer fixes, making the experience far from seamless but still technically playable.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance varies by VRAM: low-VRAM (<8GB) shows mixed results with workarounds needed, mid-range (8-11GB) is positive with minor audio stutter, and high-end (12-15GB) suffers from crashes and frame drops.
  - Sample size: 44 (18% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (mixed, 27 reports): Most players report the game runs well with a startup workaround, but some experience stuttering, blur, and optimization issues.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (negative, 8 reports): Players frequently report crashes, stuttering, and frame drops even on high-end GPUs like the RTX 5080.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 8 reports): Game runs smoothly with no crashes, though some players note sound stuttering.
  - Caveats: 44 of 248 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $7.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: All reviews mention that the discounted price (around 50–60 RMB, approximately $7–$9 USD) is considered fair and worthwhile. The community does not comment on the full $19.99 base price, but consistently find value at the sale price. This suggests a fair base price range close to that discounted amount, as players are willing to purchase at that level. The range of $7–$10 USD captures the typical discounted price and allows for a small margin above it.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 20.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Game completion is supported by two reviews stating approximately 20 and 25 hours, with 20 hours being the typical estimate for a normal playthrough. Session length is inferred from a review mentioning a two-hour farming session; other short sessions (1–2 hours) are also reported, so 2 hours is a reasonable average. No evidence for story completion or endgame playtime: reviews note the game lacks a defined story and endgame content is underdeveloped.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a steep initial learning curve and some interface friction, but once players grasp the core resource management loop, it becomes highly addictive; however, some players find the late game lacking.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Understanding the relationship between population, food, and resources
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: camera movement lag; tedious manual structure rotation; confusing production system; high initial learning cost
  - Unlock drivers: understanding resource relationships; good tutorial system; regular hints and alerts
  - Conditions: overcoming initial learning curve; understanding population-food-resource loop; resolving technical issues like camera lag; player patience with early friction; availability of good tutorial system
- Player Archetypes:
  - Genre-Faithful City Builder (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoying the city-building and management gameplay in a new historical setting.
    - Playstyle: Careful resource management, expansion, and occasional combat.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Manor Lords; Foundation; Farthest Frontier
  - Disappointed Depth Seeker (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking deep, complex simulation and automation mechanics that challenge veteran players.
    - Playstyle: Min-maxing, optimizing production chains, expecting late-game content.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: extreme sim management veteran; automation factory veteran; old player
    - Reference games: Manor Lords
  - Accessible Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Trying a new genre with a culturally appealing theme and easy introduction.
    - Playstyle: Casual, following tutorial guidance, exploring at own pace.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: light RTS player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Patient Early Supporter (sale)
    - Motivation: Supporting a promising early access game with a unique historical setting and developer transparency.
    - Playstyle: Willing to tolerate bugs and missing content, enjoying the core loop as it evolves.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Manor Lords


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Game is highly engaging (weight 0.31): Players consistently describe the game as fun, engaging, and relaxing, highlighting its distinctive and engaging gameplay.
- Soundtrack is immersive and pleasant (weight 0.28): The soundtrack is widely praised for being immersive, pleasant, and atmospheric, with particular appreciation for winter and spring music.
- City building is rewarding (weight 0.19): Building and managing a city provides a strong sense of achievement, especially when combined with satisfying combat mechanics.
- Graphics are visually appealing (weight 0.16): Feedback praises the game's graphics, with comments on visual appeal and detailed models, indicating strong visual presentation.
- Historical setting is immersive (weight 0.14): The Spring and Autumn and Warring States setting is both immersive and rare, appealing to players interested in historical themes.
- Scenery and music create atmosphere (weight 0.13): The scenery and music together create a pleasant and atmospheric experience, contributing to the game's overall charm.
- Game has good potential (weight 0.12): The game is recognized as having a good foundation and potential, with players looking forward to its development.
- Worth recommending to others (weight 0.12): Reviews indicate that the game offers good value for its price and is worth recommending to others.
- Music quality is stunning (weight 0.11): Some reviews specifically commend the music's high quality, including stunning instrumentation and vocals, elevating the overall experience.
- Great for management fans (weight 0.11): The game appeals strongly to fans of management simulations and planning enthusiasts, fitting well within the genre.
- Design is detailed and thoughtful (weight 0.1): Players note the game's fine detail and thoughtful design, suggesting a well-crafted and polished presentation.
- Good value for the price (weight 0.1): Players find the current price reasonable, considering the game not expensive and offering good value.
- Tutorial is beginner friendly (weight 0.08): The tutorial is clear and sufficient for beginners, making the game accessible to new players.
- Game has plenty of content (weight 0.08): Players find the game rich in content, offering plenty of material to explore and engage with.
- Worth price with future updates (weight 0.08): Players consider the game worth its price given its early stage and future update plans, seeing potential in the framework.
- Developer shows sincerity (weight 0.07): Players appreciate the developer's sincerity and positive attitude, which builds trust and goodwill.
- Polished compared to similar games (weight 0.07): Compared to similar titles, the game is seen as polished and more complete, indicating a higher level of finish.
- Music is comfortable and healing (weight 0.07): The background music is described as comfortable and healing, adding a calming element to the game.
- Chinese theme is unique (weight 0.07): The Chinese theme and art style are praised as unique and appealing, setting the game apart visually.
- Game is playable (weight 0.07): The game is playable and has a coherent gameplay framework, though it may not stand out in other aspects.

Common complaints:
- Optimization and performance problems (weight 0.33): Performance issues are frequently reported, including poor optimization, low frame rates, camera lag, and startup crashes. These technical problems severely impact playability on various hardware.
- Missing building upgrade system (weight 0.17): Multiple reviewers noted the absence of a building upgrade system, specifically the inability to progress dwellings from tents to more advanced structures. This core feature is expected in city-builders and its absence limits progression.
- Too similar to Manor Lords (weight 0.17): Reviewers frequently compare the game unfavorably to Manor Lords, calling it a copy or reskin with lower stability and no unique content. This perception undermines its value.
- Inadequate tutorial and guidance (weight 0.16): Players report insufficient guidance and a brief tutorial that leaves many mechanics unexplained. The lack of detailed onboarding forces excessive self-exploration.
- Game pace is too slow (weight 0.16): Several reviews mention that the game pace, especially in the early game, is slow and potentially tedious. This can deter players seeking faster progression.
- Combat feels too simplistic (weight 0.16): Combat is considered too simple, often feeling like a checkbox rather than engaging gameplay. Reviewers note it is less developed than the management aspects.
- Limited number of maps (weight 0.15): The game currently offers few maps, limiting replayability and variety. Players expect more map options to keep gameplay fresh.
- Controls and UI unintuitive (weight 0.14): Reviewers find the controls and interface unintuitive, with clunky and cumbersome mechanics. This impairs the overall user experience, especially for new players.
- Buildings lack visual differentiation (weight 0.14): Buildings look too similar despite many options, making it hard for players to distinguish between them. This reduces visual clarity and strategic depth.
- Lacks identity and depth (weight 0.13): The game is seen as lacking a distinctive identity or innovation, and reviewers point to an overall lack of depth. This makes it feel derivative rather than original.
- UI overloads with information (weight 0.11): The UI is described as information-dense and confusing on first use, overwhelming players with too much data at once. This complicates learning and navigation.
- Missing late-game goals (weight 0.08): Players find that late-game goals and a sense of achievement are missing, reducing long-term engagement. There is little to strive for after the early stages.
- Needs more polish (weight 0.08): The game is perceived as needing more work and polish, with many areas requiring improvement. This reflects an unfinished or early-access state.
- Building rotation key broken (weight 0.07): The building rotation key (R) does not work, forcing players to use mouse dragging instead. This control issue disrupts the building workflow.
- Font too small to read (weight 0.07): The font size is too small, causing eye strain and readability issues. This is a UI accessibility problem.
- Graphics inferior to rivals (weight 0.07): The landscape and buildings are visually less appealing compared to Manor Lords. This affects the game's aesthetic quality.
- Few event types available (weight 0.07): The variety of events is currently limited, making gameplay repetitive over time. More diverse events are needed to maintain interest.

Gameplay feedback:
- Core city-building gameplay (weight 0.27): The dominant feedback describes the core gameplay as city-building, with a tech tree and management systems, often set in a chaotic historical era.
- Resource management essential (weight 0.26): Resource management is a key mechanic highlighted alongside city-building, involving managing food, population, and resources for war and construction.
- Combat and war mechanics (weight 0.21): Combat and war mechanics are mentioned as integral parts of the game, often combined with city-building and management in a unified system.
- Ancient China setting (weight 0.19): The setting is consistently identified as Ancient China, specifically the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, giving the game a distinct historical flavor.
- Production systems exist (weight 0.16): The game features a production system with manufacturing, production chains, and various building types, integral to gameplay depth.
- Management simulation genre (weight 0.13): Players frequently classify the game as a management or city simulation, emphasizing logistics and management mechanics as core to the experience.
- Similar to Manor Lords (weight 0.13): Many players compare the game to Manor Lords, noting similarities in building construction and overall gameplay mechanics, which sets expectations.
- Real-time strategy elements (weight 0.1): A subset of players identifies the game as a real-time strategy (RTS) title, combining construction and warfare in real-time.
- Early access status (weight 0.1): The game is in early access, with feedback noting that it already offers complete gameplay and content, though early access status may affect expectations.
- Helpful tutorial provided (weight 0.1): A tutorial and extensive beginner guidance are present, which is positively noted by players for easing them into the game's mechanics.
- Construction simulation core (weight 0.1): Building functions and a construction system are highlighted as core gameplay elements, emphasizing the construction and management simulation aspect.
- Farming and conquest blend (weight 0.1): The game combines farming, livestock, and military conquest, allowing players to develop agriculture while engaging in warfare.
- Farms and agriculture (weight 0.07): Farms and agriculture are specifically mentioned as buildable structures that support population growth, reinforcing the economic aspect.
- Flexible building placement (weight 0.07): Building placement allows free-form placement with snapping to roads, offering flexibility in city layout design.
- Slow early-game pace (weight 0.07): The early-game pace is noted as slow, which may affect player engagement but also allows for gradual learning and acclimatization.
- Complete game framework (weight 0.07): The game has a complete framework with all systems implemented, suggesting a full feature set despite early access status.
- Siege warfare included (weight 0.07): Siege defense and attack mechanics are part of the war system, adding strategic depth to combat scenarios.
- Realistic city-building RTS (weight 0.07): The game is described as a realistic city-building RTS, combining historical authenticity with strategic gameplay.

Performance notes:
- Poor optimization causes lag (weight 0.3): Players report lag, stuttering, and low FPS even on minimum settings, despite meeting or exceeding hardware requirements. The game feels unoptimized for a wide range of systems.
- Camera movement causes lag (weight 0.2): Rotating or panning the camera causes severe stuttering and lag, with some players seeing a blurry view. This issue persists across multiple settings attempts, affecting exploration.
- Some players report good performance (weight 0.2): A few players report that the game runs smoothly with no bugs, crashes, or lag, even on max settings on certain systems. This suggests performance may vary by hardware.
- Game crashes on startup (weight 0.17): Many players experience immediate crashes when launching the game, sometimes accompanied by error reports or system shutdowns. The crash issue prevents them from playing at all.
- Optimization needs improvement (weight 0.15): Players generally feel the game's optimization is lacking, requiring low graphics settings for smooth play even on non-high-end computers. Some report poor performance on powerful systems.
- Frame drops during gameplay (weight 0.13): Frame drops occur at start, during matches, or when frame rate is not limited, causing stuttering and affecting gameplay. Some players fixed it by lowering graphics or capping FPS.
- Low frame rate reported (weight 0.11): Players report very low frame rates, around ten FPS, and lower than in the beta version. This makes the game feel unplayable for some users.
- DX11 startup workaround (weight 0.1): Players recommend launching with the -DX11 parameter to fix startup crashes and improve performance. Some also need to install C++ runtime libraries.
- High-end GPU underperforms (weight 0.1): Even with powerful hardware like RTX 2070, 3060, or RTX 5080, some players experience frame drops or are unable to reach desired FPS. This suggests optimization is not scaling well with high-end specs.
- Blurry view when dragging (weight 0.07): The graphics become blurry when dragging the camera, indicating a need for better optimization. This is a visual quality issue during normal interaction.
- Lag without frame limit (weight 0.06): Severe lag occurs when the frame rate is not limited, particularly when moving the camera. Limiting FPS is recommended to improve smoothness.
- Shader compilation causes crash (weight 0.04): One player reports a crash after shader compilation, which led to a system shutdown. This indicates a serious stability issue for some users.
- File verification not helpful (weight 0.04): Verifying game files did not resolve startup or crash issues for at least one player, suggesting the problem may not be due to corrupted files.
- Screen flickering artifacts (weight 0.04): Some players see screen flickering or artifacts such as black shadows, which may be related to optimization or graphics settings. This can be distracting and affect visual clarity.
- High resource usage (weight 0.04): The game uses high system resources, causing the computer fan to run loudly. This may be a concern for players with less powerful cooling or who are sensitive to noise.
- Sound stuttering during play (weight 0.04): Audio stutters during extended play sessions, even when frame rate is stable. This is an additional performance issue affecting immersion.
- Performance varies by region (weight 0.04): Some areas in the game have noticeably poor performance, possibly due to heavy details or rendering effects. This inconsistency can make gameplay feel uneven.
- Occasional launch failures (weight 0.04): The game sometimes fails to launch, requiring the addition of the -DX11 parameter to start. This is inconsistent and frustrating for affected players.
- No crashes reported so far (weight 0.03): One player has not encountered any crashes, suggesting that stability may be acceptable for some users. However, this is a single anecdote.
- Initial benchmark runs fine (weight 0.03): The initial benchmark test runs fine for one player, but real gameplay may still have issues. This indicates that benchmark performance does not always reflect actual play.

Recommendations:
- Recommend for building game fans (weight 0.22): Reviewers frequently recommend this game to players who enjoy similar titles like Manor Lords, Foundation, and Farthest Frontier. The game appeals to fans of city building, resource management, and strategy.
- Not recommended in current state (weight 0.22): Multiple reviewers advise against buying the game now due to performance issues, such as lag, and its incomplete state. They suggest waiting for updates before making a purchase.
- Wait for game maturity (weight 0.19): Many reviewers suggest that players wait for the game to mature through updates before diving in. They believe the game has potential but is not yet a fully developed product.
- Strong recommendation from fans (weight 0.18): A subset of players strongly recommend the game, stating there are no reasons not to recommend it. They appreciate the game's depth and potential for long-term play.
- Suitable for niche audiences (weight 0.13): The game is recommended for specific groups: hardcore simulation fans, deep research enthusiasts, and those who enjoy learning complex systems. These players appreciate the game's complexity.
- Potential for future growth (weight 0.13): Reviewers see potential in the game's future, noting that updates and a workshop could greatly improve the experience. They recommend it for players who are patient.
- Performances issues and lag (weight 0.11): Reviewers explicitly mention lag and performance issues as reasons for not recommending the game at present. This indicates technical problems that affect the gameplay experience.
- Worth its current price (weight 0.11): Some reviewers state that the game is worth buying at its current price, considering the content and update plans. They recommend it for value-conscious players.
- Recommended for Chinese style fans (weight 0.11): Several positive recommendations highlight the game's appeal to fans of Chinese-style building and management games. This niche audience finds the game particularly engaging.
- Mixed recommendations overall (weight 0.1): The overall sentiment is mixed: many recommend for fans of the genre, but also mention the game is not yet a mature product. Players should weigh their expectations accordingly.
- Compare to Manor Lords (weight 0.08): Reviewers note that if players already own Manor Lords, they may not need to buy this game yet, as it offers a similar experience. This comparison suggests the game does not yet differentiate itself enough.
- Historical simulation appeal (weight 0.07): The game appeals to players interested in historical themes and simulation management. This is a key selling point for a portion of the player base.
- Not for balance-seekers (weight 0.04): One reviewer warns that the game is not recommended for players seeking extreme balance, hardcore strategy, or complete endgame content. This indicates the game's current limitations in those areas.
- Refund requests due to AI (weight 0.04): A reviewer expresses a strong desire to refund the game due to the static AI. This points to a significant gameplay flaw that affects player satisfaction.
- Potential to revisit later (weight 0.04): Some reviewers plan to refund the game but may revisit it after future updates. This indicates that the game has promise but is not yet ready for them.
- Learning curve is steep (weight 0.04): The game has a steep learning curve, making it difficult to recommend to casual players. However, players who enjoy studying systems may find it rewarding.

Other player notes:
- Frequent Manor Lords comparison (weight 0.49): Many reviews compare the game to Manor Lords, noting similarities in mechanics but differences in detail, polish, and setting. Some see it as an improved version, while others find it rougher or inferior.
- Anticipation for future development (weight 0.16): Players express positive expectations for future updates and content additions. The ongoing development is seen as a promising sign for the game's longevity.
- Affordable price point (weight 0.16): The game is considered inexpensive, often priced lower than comparable titles like Manor Lords. This is a key selling point for many reviewers.
- Active development and updates (weight 0.15): The game is under continuous development with frequent updates. This shows the developer's commitment to improving the game over time.
- Early Access status noted (weight 0.14): Reviewers frequently mention that the game is in Early Access, indicating that it is incomplete but expected to grow. This influences expectations about content and bugs.
- Developer responsive to feedback (weight 0.11): The development team is noted to be receptive and responsive to player feedback. This is appreciated by the community and increases trust.
- Chinese historical setting (weight 0.11): The game is set in Ancient China during the Warring States period, offering a unique historical backdrop not commonly seen in the genre. This distinguishes it from Western-themed competitors.
- Limited map content (weight 0.1): Currently, the game has only a few available maps, which some players find limiting. The lack of map variety is a noted drawback at this stage.
- Insufficient player guidance (weight 0.07): New players find the game lacking in tutorials or guidance, making the initial experience confusing. Improving onboarding is a common suggestion.
- Authentic Chinese art style (weight 0.07): The game's Chinese theme and art style are praised for being genuine, not just a superficial layer. This uniqueness adds to its appeal.
- Developed by Digital Sky (weight 0.07): The game is developed and published by Digital Sky, a fact occasionally mentioned in reviews. It provides context about the developer's background.
- Chinese indie production (weight 0.07): The game is a Chinese indie title, which some reviewers highlight as a point of interest. It contributes to its authentic Chinese style.
- Unique compared to other titles (weight 0.07): Some reviews mention that the game feels unique when compared to similar games, despite obvious inspirations. It offers its own distinct experience.
- Art and design inferior (weight 0.07): A few reviewers note that the art and character design are worse than Manor Lords, seeing the game as inferior in visual polish.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Players are frustrated by severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes even on high-end systems. Complex and poorly explained building and logistics systems, unintuitive controls, and a lack of quality-of-life features further compound the frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.11): Many players feel disappointed by the game's unrefined state, including poor performance, shallow combat, and lack of depth compared to games like Manor Lords. Limited maps, underwhelming graphics, and several missing expected features contribute to a feeling of unmet potential.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Players express satisfaction with the game's detailed city-building, engaging progression from empty land to a thriving settlement, and appealing graphics and music. The developer's responsiveness and the balanced integration of farming and combat also enhance the experience.
- Confusion (weight 0.04): Confusion arises from unclear mechanics, dense and overwhelming UI, and a tutorial that fails to properly explain key systems. Players are unsure about resource transport, population replenishment, and how to interact with certain buildings.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Players enjoy the game for its engaging mechanics, pleasant music, and the rewarding experience of building and managing a city in an ancient Chinese setting. The blend of farming, logistics, and combat keeps the gameplay interesting.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's authentic ancient Chinese theme, the beautiful and atmospheric soundtrack, and the deep war system based on resource management. The graphics and scenery also receive positive remarks.
- Frustrated (weight 0.04): Frustration stems from slow game speed, tedious building mechanics without a grid, and clunky controls and camera. The lack of alignment tools and inefficient production chains also contribute to a less smooth experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Players are excited about the game's promising framework, the innovative historical setting, and the immersive blend of city-building and large-scale battles. The potential for future updates and Workshop support adds to this anticipation.
- Hope (weight 0.03): Players hope for continued development and improvement, including more content, better performance, and richer combat. They appreciate the developer's responsiveness and believe the game has significant potential.
- Interest (weight 0.02): Interest is driven by the game's intriguing management and building mechanics, as well as its unique Warring States period setting. The reliance on logistics and strategic choices in warfare also piques player curiosity.
- Overwhelmed (weight 0.02): New players feel overwhelmed by the game's complexity, with many systems appearing simultaneously and a steep learning curve. Managing food, population, and resources early on requires remembering numerous mechanics, which can be daunting.
- Anticipation (weight 0.02): Players look forward to future updates that could expand the game with more content, a larger map, and national conflicts. They see the game as promising but acknowledge it still needs improvements.
- Optimism (weight 0.02): Optimism is fueled by the game's demonstrated potential, the developers' ongoing work, and the possibility of modding. Despite being in early development, the game is seen as worth the price with a bright future.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Disappointment arises from the game feeling like a reskin of Manor Lords with little innovation, as well as a lack of late-game goals and overpowered artillery that undermine strategic depth.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is achieved through the captivating city-building experience, the detailed everyday lives of villagers, and the ability to manage economy and logistics against external pressures. The setting of various philosophical schools enhances the atmosphere.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Players are dissatisfied with poor optimization, unreasonable building functions, scarce content, and a lack of depth. The game feels unfinished and some mechanics, like worker groups and the technology tree, are unbalanced or unimaginative.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Approval is given for the game offering comparable content to Manor Lords at a lower price point, especially when purchased at a discount. The theme and direction also receive positive feedback.
- Concern (weight 0.01): Concerns focus on limited content potentially affecting long-term replayability, high system resource usage, and the rough state of combat. There is also worry about the developer possibly abandoning the project.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by tedious warehouse and logistics management, complex and unfriendly road construction, sound stuttering, and UI issues that hamper camera control and immersion.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players are impressed by the stunning music, the unique and authentic historical setting, and the calm atmosphere created by the combination of visuals and audio. The music stood out on the first listen and exceeded expectations.}