Info about Reigns: Game of Thrones:

Official game description:
Reigns: Game of Thrones is the heir to the award-winning HBO® TV series Game of Thrones® and the smash-hit swipe ‘em up series Reigns from Nerial and Devolver Digital. Through the fiery visions of Melisandre, claim the Iron Throne as Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and more to carefully navigate the complex relationships and hostile factions of the Seven Kingdoms. Employ ruthless tactics to outwit political rivals and wield impervious charm on your fickle bannerman. Maintain the balance and favor of the people to extend your reign and maybe, one day, survive the horrors of the coming winter.
**A Formidable Cast:** Rule from the Iron Throne as Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, Sansa Stark, and more. Change between each king and queen you unlock to face challenges and mysteries unique to their story.
**Impose Your Will:** Swipe left or right to change the fate of the Seven Kingdoms forever as you hear the impassioned pleas and unpredictable demands from the people of Westeros. If a particular character becomes bothersome, tear their card in half to unburden Your Majesty with their concerns – but at what cost?
**Reenvision Westeros:** Melisandre’s visions are your playing field and extend beyond the TV series to imagine the many fates of those that would sit upon the Iron Throne. Rebuild the Great Sept of Baelor as Cersei or discover the path of the Seven Kingdoms if Sansa Stark had married Jaime Lannister.
**Regal Mini Games:** Even the most powerful rulers need to set aside their worries and partake in more trivial matters now and then. From jousting to tavern brawls, these distractions aren’t without consequence!
**A Grander Reigns:** Fans of the Reigns series will be delighted with the biggest, deepest entry in the series that does not simply retell the stories you know but rather lets you create new adventures at your whim.
**Iconic Soundtrack:** Decide the fate of Westeros and those that reside in your land to the soaring score of the HBO series by Ramin Djawadi.
_©2018 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO and related trademarks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc._

Release date: Oct 18, 2018

Categories: Choice-based Narrative, Reigns-style decision making, Resource Management, Card-based Gameplay, Multiple Endings, Game of Thrones Setting, Character Unlock and Progression, Mini-games

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Tier 3: The Student - Instructional Data Dependency; summary: The reviews consistently identify a dependency on external guides to understand unclear mechanics and finish the game. Users describe confusion over systems, missing in-game guidance, and an inability to complete the experience without consulting outside information. No evidence points to farming, drop rates, inventory planning, navigation problems, or technical bugs as the primary barrier.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $2.00 - $5.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently frame the game as a low-priced, short-form experience: several reviewers say it is worth buying around 2-4 EUR, especially on sale, while Chinese-language reviews cite 18 yuan as an acceptable full price and 10 yuan as a low-risk sale price. These benchmarks translate to roughly USD 2-5, supporting a modest fair base-game range rather than a premium price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 20.0h
  - Story completion: 11.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The translated Japanese review gives about 11 hours to the probable true ending, supporting storyCompletion at 11 hours. The 20-hour total-play report is the best full-game/completionist estimate, so gameCompletion is set to 20 hours. Direct sitting reports include 2 hours and a nearly 6-hour binge; I use about 2 hours as the typical session length. The 6-hour White Walkers victory is consistent with a successful run but does not provide a separate post-story endgame duration, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is often described as immediately addictive in short bursts, but the repetitive card loop and opaque decisions make it less fun before long. A minority reports delayed satisfaction after pushing through difficulty, while some never find fun.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: No tutorial or tooltips; Decisions feel like guessing with unclear impact; Repeating cards and choices; Simple clicking and random-feeling gameplay; Difficulty and balancing indicators; Repetitiveness after seeing most choices
  - Unlock drivers: Switching between different characters to reduce repetition; Finding different outcomes and new cards; Reaching 50 moons and feeling successful; Character and story interconnections that make progression meaningful; Simple, addictive decision-based mechanics
  - Conditions: Enjoying decision-based gameplay; Playing in short bursts; Tolerance for repetition and random outcomes; Switching characters to avoid repetition; Finding new cards or outcomes; Reaching 50 moons; Low price expectation; Accessible entry point for newcomers
- Player Archetypes:
  - Westeros Lore Loyalist (buy)
    - Motivation: To immerse in Westeros and rule as favorite characters.
    - Playstyle: Chooses iconic rulers, follows lore-flavored event branches, and tolerates deaths to see more Game of Thrones content.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Game of Thrones fan; huge Game of Thrones fan
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Reigns Systems Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To compare and master the Reigns resource-balancing loop with more content.
    - Playstyle: Optimizes four resources, replays for unlocks, and measures the game against earlier Reigns titles.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Reigns; Reigns: Her Majesty
  - Casual Relaxation Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: To relax with simple, low-pressure narrative choices.
    - Playstyle: Plays in short sessions, makes quick yes-or-no choices, and does not seek deep optimization.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual gamer
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Roleplay-Seeking Logic Critic (no buy)
    - Motivation: To roleplay Game of Thrones rulers while making meaningful, learnable choices.
    - Playstyle: Repeatedly tests decisions and looks for logical patterns, but is alienated by sudden deaths and opaque outcomes.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


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:
- Entertaining and fun gameplay (weight 0.3): The game is widely praised as fun, engaging, and enjoyable, with many calling it excellent or wonderful.
- Authentic Game of Thrones music (weight 0.16): The soundtrack features reworked or original Game of Thrones tracks, enhancing immersion for fans.
- Excellent soundtrack (weight 0.15): The soundtrack is repeatedly described as fantastic, beautiful, nostalgic, and worth the price on its own.
- Strong Game of Thrones atmosphere (weight 0.12): The game successfully captures the atmosphere and universe of Game of Thrones, which is a major selling point for fans.
- Best in Reigns series (weight 0.1): Many consider it the best game in the Reigns series, surpassing the original and other entries.
- Role-play as rulers in Westeros (weight 0.1): Players can become rulers of the Seven Kingdoms and make decisions that shape the course of the game and Westeros history.
- Faithful to Game of Thrones world (weight 0.09): The game accurately represents the worldview and cruelty of the Game of Thrones series, with outcomes feeling true to the show.
- Satisfies Game of Thrones fans (weight 0.07): The game scratches the Game of Thrones itch and is especially satisfying for fans of the series.
- Top-tier Game of Thrones game (weight 0.07): It is regarded as one of the very best Game of Thrones themed games, a brilliant indie title, and a great treat for fans.
- Interact with iconic characters (weight 0.07): Players can interact with and play as famous Game of Thrones characters like Daenerys, Jon Snow, and Tyrion Lannister.
- Fun for Game of Thrones lovers (weight 0.07): A funny time-killer and fun card game that is interesting for those familiar with Game of Thrones.
- Appealing stylized art (weight 0.07): The art style is described as stylized, evocative, nice on the eyes, and unique.
- Passable graphics (weight 0.06): Graphics are considered OK, not bad, simple but fine, and passable.
- High replayability and variety (weight 0.05): Dynamic gameplay with multiple paths and a great variety of situations gives immense replay value and endless different playthroughs.
- Polished and bug-free (weight 0.05): The game is practically free of bugs, with no bugs encountered by several reviewers.
- Captivating core idea (weight 0.05): The core idea of the game is found captivating and good by reviewers.
- Better endings than TV series (weight 0.05): All of the game's endings are considered better than the show's ending, including the final season.
- Great for short sessions (weight 0.05): The game is enjoyable in short sessions, making it a short, tight game good for passing time.
- Fun character unlocking (weight 0.05): Unlocking characters by finding them while playing as others is interesting and fun.
- Good value for price (weight 0.05): The price is considered fine, with a good price-quality ratio, making it satisfying for the price.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive gameplay causes boredom (weight 0.34): Players frequently report that the gameplay loop becomes monotonous and boring over time, with many describing it as extremely repetitive after seeing most choices.
- Game of Thrones knowledge required (weight 0.21): The game heavily relies on familiarity with the Game of Thrones series; players without this background find the story confusing and the experience frustrating.
- Excessive randomness undermines fun (weight 0.2): The game feels too random and luck-based, with unpredictable events and choices that make it hard to strategize or enjoy.
- Decisions have unclear consequences (weight 0.15): Players often cannot understand the impact of their choices, as consequences are ambiguous or seemingly nonsensical, reducing strategic depth.
- Game feels uninteresting and boring (weight 0.14): Several reviewers find the game uninteresting, boring, or not fun, with simplistic binary decisions.
- Poor translation creates confusion (weight 0.13): Multiple reviewers note that translation issues and grammatical errors make dialogue options ambiguous and sometimes incomprehensible, hindering decision-making.
- Frequent unexplained deaths frustrate players (weight 0.12): Many players die repeatedly and inexplicably, leading to frustration and a sense of unfairness in the gameplay.
- Lack of guidance or tutorial (weight 0.1): The game provides no tutorial or clear instructions, leaving new players confused about how to play effectively.
- Unclear how to play (weight 0.07): Even after many hours, some players remain confused about how to play the game properly, indicating a steep learning curve or poor explanation.
- Save data loss from updates (weight 0.06): Updates have deleted game progress, causing significant frustration and loss of time for affected players.
- Missing Turkish language support (weight 0.06): Turkish players report that language support is absent despite being listed on the Steam page, making the text-heavy game inaccessible.
- Logic and sudden game overs (weight 0.04): The game lacks apparent logic, leading to sudden and inexplicable game overs that frustrate players.
- Basic and simplistic mechanics (weight 0.04): The gameplay mechanics are considered very basic and crude, lacking depth and innovation.
- No save or cloud save (weight 0.04): The game lacks a save function and cloud saves, which players find inconvenient and limiting.
- Excessive reading required (weight 0.04): The game involves a lot of reading, and some players feel they need guides to progress, which can be tedious.
- Multiple minor bugs (weight 0.04): The game is simple but has several minor bugs that detract from the experience.
- Worse than original Reigns (weight 0.04): Some players feel the game is inferior to the original Reigns, with secrets and gameplay that do not compare favorably.
- Achievement unlocks hindered by bugs (weight 0.04): Bugs and problems prevent players from unlocking all achievements, adding to frustration.
- Poor PC port from mobile (weight 0.04): The game feels like a mobile port to PC, which some players find disappointing and a waste of time.

Gameplay feedback:
- Core two-choice decision gameplay (weight 0.23): The game revolves around presenting players with binary choices, often framed as left or right decisions. Each turn offers two options that affect outcomes, forming the core loop.
- Multiple playable characters (weight 0.17): Players can choose from a roster of distinct characters, each with their own story and perspective. The game features eight or nine playable characters from the main cast.
- Play as GoT characters (weight 0.17): Players take on the roles of well-known Game of Thrones characters such as Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Tyrion Lannister. Character interactions with famous figures are part of the experience.
- Game of Thrones themed Reigns (weight 0.16): It is a Reigns-style game set in the Game of Thrones universe, using the franchise's characters and plot. Players rule as a Game of Thrones figure and make decisions to survive on the Iron Throne.
- Reigns-style card choices (weight 0.15): The gameplay is a Reigns-style card choice mini-game, where players choose between two decisions to guide the story and stay on the throne. Card-based choices are central to the mechanics.
- Balance four kingdom stats (weight 0.15): Players must balance four resources: church, people, army, and treasury. Choices affect these stats, and maintaining balance is key to survival.
- Character unlocking progression (weight 0.13): New characters are unlocked by playing through the story, finding them while using other characters, or completing tasks. This progression adds replayability.
- Card-based event system (weight 0.12): The game uses cards to trigger events and outcomes, with players drawing cards and making decisions based on random draws. It is fundamentally a card game with story-driven choices.
- Swipe-based decision making (weight 0.09): Decisions are made by swiping left or right on cards, similar to Tinder. This simple swipe mechanic is the primary input method.
- Multiple endings and consequences (weight 0.09): The game features multiple endings and alternative playthroughs, with consequences such as Winterfell falling to the White Walkers. Endings can be triggered deliberately.
- Familiar Reigns mechanics (weight 0.09): The game uses the established Reigns formula, with mechanics and strategies similar to other Reigns titles. It is a recognizable entry in the series.
- Rule the Seven Kingdoms (weight 0.08): The player rules the Seven Kingdoms, balancing four castes and making decisions to survive the coming winter. The goal is to stay on the Iron Throne as long as possible.
- Drastic consequences from simple choices (weight 0.08): Players make apparently simple decisions that can lead to drastic outcomes, affecting later events. The impact of choices is not always clearly indicated, adding unpredictability.
- Play as king or queen (weight 0.07): Players can select different characters to place on the throne as king or queen. The character selection determines the ruler's perspective and story.
- Simple and basic mechanics (weight 0.07): The gameplay and mechanics are very basic, with simple controls and a straightforward layout. This simplicity makes the game easy to pick up.

Performance notes:
- Game freezes with mouse input (weight 0.06): The game occasionally freezes when waiting for mouse input, and it misinterprets the mouse as a touchpad, causing the freeze. This appears tied to porting bugs affecting interface stability.
- Data loss error blocks game (weight 0.04): A data loss error prevents players from entering the game, and the problem persists after redownloading. This indicates a serious startup issue that reinstalling does not fix.
- Crashes after few minutes (weight 0.04): Players report the game crashes after a few minutes of play, and the issue persists even after using the R restart button. This suggests a recurring crash that is not resolved by restarting.
- Freezes on system page (weight 0.04): The game freezes when opening the system page, and the top UI can get stuck when going out. These interface freezes hinder navigation.
- Runs well on Linux (weight 0.04): The game runs very well on Linux (Kubuntu 18.04 with Nvidia proprietary drivers), with low system requirements and no bugs or crashes encountered.
- Crash breaks character unlock (weight 0.03): A game crash permanently breaks the character unlock functionality, leaving that feature unusable. This is a severe progression issue.

Recommendations:
- Fans of Game of Thrones (weight 0.42): The game is highly recommended for fans of the Game of Thrones franchise, with many reviewers emphasizing that it appeals to those who enjoy the series.
- Reigns and Game of Thrones fans (weight 0.17): Reviewers specifically recommend the game to players who enjoy both the Reigns series and Game of Thrones, combining the two interests.
- Low price praised (weight 0.14): The game is considered inexpensive and worth the price, with many noting it is a good small game for a low cost.
- Not recommended (weight 0.1): Some reviewers do not recommend buying the game at all, citing dissatisfaction despite the low price.
- Deep lore fans only (weight 0.08): Players who care deeply about Game of Thrones lore will enjoy it, while others may find it difficult and uninteresting.
- Fans of Reigns gameplay (weight 0.08): The game is recommended for those who enjoy the Reigns formula, as it offers similar gameplay mechanics.
- Crash game-breaking (weight 0.05): One cluster mentions a game-breaking crash that leads a reviewer to not recommend the game.
- Buy on sale (weight 0.05): Reviewers suggest waiting for a discount, recommending purchase only when on sale.
- Mobile better (weight 0.05): Some players find the game more pleasant and convenient on mobile devices compared to PC.
- General recommendation (weight 0.05): A few reviewers simply recommend the game without specific conditions.

Other player notes:
- Game of Thrones theme central (weight 0.39): The game is set in the Game of Thrones universe, using its characters, houses, and references. It is based on both the TV series and the books, with content closely following the series.
- Reigns gameplay with GoT skin (weight 0.21): The game is described as Reigns with a Game of Thrones theme, using the same mechanics but with a different setting. It is often called a skin of Reigns in the Game of Thrones franchise.
- Compared unfavorably to original Reigns (weight 0.17): Many reviewers find this entry worse than the original Reigns, citing less enjoyable secrets and overall fun. It is seen as a step down from previous Reigns games.
- Low price and good value (weight 0.15): The game is sold at a low price, often with discounts, and offers good value for money. Reviewers mention a good price/entertainment ratio.
- Improvement over previous Reigns (weight 0.13): Some reviewers see the game as an improved version of the original Reigns, with better graphics, story, and systems. It is considered a sequel or enhancement.
- Available on mobile and PC (weight 0.1): The game can be played on mobile devices and PC. Some reviewers previously played it on mobile.
- Endings better than TV series (weight 0.1): Reviewers compare the game's endings favorably to the TV series ending, considering them better. This is a point of praise for the game.
- Playable characters from GoT (weight 0.07): Players can control characters like Jon Snow, Tyrion, Daenerys, and others from Game of Thrones. Eight main leaders are available.
- About 20 hours gameplay (weight 0.07): The game offers around 20 hours of gameplay, providing substantial content for the price. Some find it short, lasting up to 5 hours.
- Story set around season 7-8 (weight 0.06): The game's story starts around the beginning of season 8 or is set after season 7 of the TV series. It covers the lead-up to season 8.
- HBO partnership and branding (weight 0.06): The game is based on a partnership with HBO and the Game of Thrones series. The branding is a deciding factor for purchase for some.
- Minimalist visual style (weight 0.05): The game uses a minimalist visual style, consistent with the Reigns series. Graphics are described as minimalist.
- Requires English proficiency (weight 0.05): The game requires basic English knowledge to enjoy, as it involves reading and decision-making. This may limit accessibility for non-English speakers.
- Contains spoilers for series (weight 0.04): The game contains plot spoilers for both the books and TV series. Players should be aware before playing.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.22): Players feel frustrated by unclear choice consequences, random deaths, and reliance on luck rather than strategy. Technical issues like bugs, crashes, save loss, and poor UI, along with repetitive gameplay and lack of guidance, compound the frustration. Unlocking achievements and surviving winter often feel impossible due to low event probabilities and illogical stat changes.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Disappointment stems from the game not living up to the Reigns series or Game of Thrones license, with repetitive gameplay, randomness, and shallow mechanics. Bugs and progress resets ruin the experience, and the lack of meaningful choices and character depth fails to engage players. Many expected more fun and innovation but found the game predictable and luck-based.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Satisfaction comes from meaningful choices with tangible consequences, rewarding achievement completion, and a well-executed Game of Thrones theme. The balance between short-term gains and long-term stability, along with unlockable rulers and story elements, provides a sense of progression. Fans appreciate the faithful adaptation and value for the price.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Players enjoy discovering new characters and events through the swipe mechanic, exploring alternate timelines, and immersing themselves in the Game of Thrones atmosphere. The addictive gameplay, soundtrack, and short bursts of fun contribute to the enjoyment. Shaping character fates and experiencing 'what if' scenarios adds to the appeal.
- Amusement (weight 0.06): Amusement arises from the absurd and humorous deaths, chaotic decision outcomes, and witty dialogue choices. Easter eggs, references to the series, and ridiculous situations like dying from a kicked crow provide laughter. The game's subversive humor and unpredictable events keep players entertained.
- Boredom (weight 0.05): Boredom sets in due to repetitive events, predictable patterns, and monotonous gameplay that quickly runs out of novelty. After mastering the mechanics, the game becomes a routine of clicking through familiar cards with little strategy or variation. The lack of meaningful progression and repetitive unlocking systems fail to sustain interest.
- Confusion (weight 0.05): Confusion is caused by unclear choice effects, unexplained stat changes, and a lack of guidance on game mechanics. Players struggle to understand how decisions impact parameters, leading to unexpected deaths. Lore-heavy references and poor localization further obscure the experience, especially for those unfamiliar with Game of Thrones.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is fueled by the initial discovery of varied gameplay possibilities, unlocking new characters, and encountering plot twists. The Game of Thrones theme, music, and references create anticipation and engagement. Overcoming early challenges and experiencing the game's depth keeps players hooked.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance stems from bugs that block progress, unclear gauge logic, and repetitive grinding with random option appearances. The game's randomness and counterintuitive outcomes, along with technical issues like music interruptions and UI problems, detract from the experience. Having to make out-of-character decisions to balance stats adds to the irritation.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's successful blend of Reigns mechanics with the Game of Thrones universe, offering dynamic choices, consequences, and high replayability. The atmosphere, references, and fan service resonate with players, making it a standout entry in the series. Surviving winter and unlocking multiple rulers provides a sense of accomplishment.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is expressed for the game's excellent soundtrack, narrative, and visual design, which effectively capture the Game of Thrones essence. The battle sequences, well-written rulers, and thought-provoking choices demonstrate a step forward from previous Reigns games. The developer's ability to create an accessible yet challenging experience is praised.
- Fun (weight 0.02): Fun is derived from the variety of events and characters, simple mechanics, and the joy of exploring new content in the Game of Thrones universe. The branching path gameplay and narrative-driven experience offer an enjoyable learning curve. Overall, players find the game diverse and entertaining.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.02): Dissatisfaction arises from the game feeling worse than previous Reigns titles, with basic mechanics, lack of meaningful choices, and a weak sense of control. Poor controls, nonsensical story, and missing language support contribute to an unsatisfying experience. The randomness and lack of branching plot leave players unfulfilled.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is fostered by the blend of strategy, decision-making, and political intrigue, creating an addictive and quick gameplay loop. New elements require more consideration, and the music and decision-making draw players into the game. The dynamic choices and consequences keep players invested.
- Disinterest (weight 0.01): Disinterest is expressed by those unfamiliar with Game of Thrones who find the card-choice format unappealing and the game uninteresting. The lack of exploration, optimization, or strategy makes it feel repetitive and only suitable for TV series fans. The reviewer suggests others should avoid it.
- Entertainment (weight 0.01): Entertainment comes from the fun and challenging stat-balancing gameplay, especially for series fans. The game offers a small simulation of the Game of Thrones world with amusing approaches and Tinder-like gameplay accompanied by series music. It provides a lighthearted and engaging experience.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is achieved through the show's music, changing backgrounds, and Game of Thrones lore, making players lose track of time. Facing multiple crises while on the Iron Throne deepens the sense of being part of the world. The atmospheric elements work together to create a captivating experience.
- Indifference (weight 0.01): Indifference is characterized by a lack of motivation to play at any cost, with decisions made mechanically over time. The music makes flaws unimportant, but the overall experience fails to leave a strong impression. The reviewer sees no compelling reason to engage further.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise is elicited by nasty and unexpected events during playthroughs, such as characters dying easily or losing track of time. The game's unpredictable nature and sudden twists keep players on their toes. These surprising moments add to the overall experience.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is caused by losing progress due to updates that wipe save files, resets that erase achievement progress, and restarting that deletes achievements. The frustration of lost time and effort, especially after significant progress, leads to intense anger. Developers shipping updates that wipe saves exacerbates the issue.}