View source for Software:Reigns: Her Majesty

{{Short description|2017 strategy video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Reigns: Her Majesty
| image = Reigns Her Majesty cover.jpg
| developer = Nerial
| publisher = [[Company:Devolver Digital|Devolver Digital]]
| engine = [[Software:Unity (game engine)|Unity]]
| platforms = [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]]<br/>[[Software:IOS|iOS]]<br/>[[Software:Linux|Linux]]<br/>[[Software:MacOS|macOS]]<br/>[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]<br/>[[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]]
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows'''|6 December 2017|'''Nintendo Switch'''|20 September 2018}}
| genre = [[Software:Strategy video game|Strategy]]
| modes = [[Software:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| designer = François Alliot
| programmer = François Alliot
| artist = Arnaud De Bock
| writer = Leigh Alexander
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|Jim Guthrie|J. J. Ipsen}}
}}

'''''Reigns: Her Majesty''''' is a [[Software:Strategy video game|strategy]] video game developed by Nerial and published by [[Company:Devolver Digital|Devolver Digital]]. The game is a standalone sequel to 2016's ''[[Software:Reigns (video game)|Reigns]]''. Set in a fictional [[Philosophy:Renaissance|renaissance]] world, it places the player in the role of a monarch who rules the [[Social:Monarchy|queendom]] by accepting or rejecting suggestions from advisors. The game was released digitally for [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]], [[Software:Linux|Linux]], [[Software:MacOS|macOS]] and [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]] in December 2017. ''Reigns: Her Majesty'' and its predecessor were released for [[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]], under the collective title ''Reigns: Kings & Queens'', in September 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/09/reigns-kings-queens-launches-september-20 |title=Reigns: Kings & Queens launches September 20 |first=Sal |last=Romano |date=11 September 2018 |website=Gematsu}}</ref>

A third entry in the ''Reigns'' series, ''[[Software:Reigns: Game of Thrones|Reigns]]'', was released in October 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/2018/08/23/reigns-game-thrones-launching-october-16th/ |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones launching October 18th - Gamezebo |author= |date=23 August 2018 |website=gamezebo.com |access-date=11 September 2018 |archive-date=19 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919171110/https://www.gamezebo.com/2018/08/23/reigns-game-thrones-launching-october-16th/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
The base gameplay is the same as in ''Reigns'', but instead of playing as a medieval king, the player assumes the role of a queen. The player swipes left or right on a card depicting an advisor, in order to accept or reject their suggestion. Each decision will have a consequence, changing the balance between the four pillars of the society: the church, the people, the military, and the economy. The queen's reign ends whenever one of the four metrics becomes too high or too low, and the game continues with the player controlling their heir.<ref name="Verge"/>  There are between 1200 and 1300 different cards in the game, up from 800 in the original game.<ref name="the sixth axis" />

Throughout the course of the game, the player may experience different kinds of events, which are scripted or caused by the player's decisions. Such events can have one-time or recurring effects on the game, such as causing the death of the next advisor if their suggestion is rejected.<ref name="Verge"/>

A new gameplay element in ''Reigns: Her Majesty'' is the addition of items. The player can collect items throughout the game, and use them in certain situations. Items can bypass the choices offered and offer new options.<ref name="Verge"/>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 81/100<ref name="metacritic-pc" /><br /> iOS: 81/100<ref name="metacritic-ios" />
| PCGUS = 82%<ref name="pc gamer" />
| rev1 = ''Hardcore Gamer''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="hardcore-gamer" />
| rev2 = ''Gaming Nexus''
| rev2Score = 8/10<ref name="gaming-nexus" />
| rev3 = ''GameSpace''
| rev3Score = 8/10<ref name="gamespace" />
| rev4 = ''TheSixthAxis''
| rev4Score = 9/10<ref name="the sixth axis" />
| rev5 = ''TouchArcade''
| rev5Score = iOS: {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="toucharcade" />
}}
The game has been described as "smart and surprising" sequel<ref name="pc gamer" /> with "fun and minimalist" mechanics,<ref name="venture beat" /> and an "improved and captivating story",<ref name="hardcore-gamer" /> but critics have said that it suffers from repetition.<ref name="new game network" /> It has been compared to services such as [[Software:Tinder (app)|Tinder]] because the player makes decisions by swiping left or right.<ref name="the sixth axis" />

''[[The Verge]]'' felt the game allowed experimentation throughout different lives, and liked how progress carried over through playthroughs, "Majesty does a remarkable job at making each life feel unique, and giving you enough information to feel at least somewhat in control of your destiny".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=2017-12-07 |title=Reigns: Her Majesty turns the life of a queen into a wonderfully tense strategy game |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/7/16743406/reigns-her-majesty-review-iphone-android-steam |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> ''Kotaku'' praised the game's approach to approaching sexism, saying "Her Majesty isn’t one of those stories about women that’s meant to empower them by showing a rise out of adversity. It’s more a fun friend, laughing with you about all the irritating little things that happen to you when you’re a woman that other people sometimes don’t believe".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-07 |title=Reigns: Her Majesty: The Kotaku Review |url=https://kotaku.com/reigns-her-majesty-the-kotaku-review-1821090616 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Kotaku |language=en-us}}</ref> ''Game Informer'' disliked the gameplay, writing, "Her Majesty has a couple of interesting moments but largely follows the formula of the first game and fails to evolve into something special".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Reeves |first=Ben |title=Reigns: Her Majesty Review - A Royal Bummer |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/reigns_her_majesty/b/ios/archive/2017/12/07/reigns-her-majesty-game-informer-review.aspx |access-date=2022-06-16 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result !! Ref
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="5" | 2018
| rowspan="1" | Game Developers Choice Awards
| Best Mobile Game
| {{Nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="gdc noms 2018" />
|-
| rowspan="1" | 14th British Academy Games Awards
| British Game
| {{Nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="bafta awards 2018" />
|-
| rowspan="1" | Develop Awards
| Writing or Narrative Design
| {{Nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="develop noms 2018" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | Golden Joystick Awards
| Best Storytelling
| {{Nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="golden joystick noms" /><ref name="golden joystick winners" />
|-
| Mobile Game of the Year
| {{Nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="1" | 2019
| rowspan="1" | Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards
| Best Writing in a Video Game
| {{Won}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="wggb awards noms" /><ref name="wggb awards winners" />
|}

{{clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Verge">{{cite news |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title=Reigns: Her Majesty turns the life of a queen into a wonderfully tense strategy game |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/7/16743406/reigns-her-majesty-review-iphone-android-steam |access-date=4 March 2018 |work=[[The Verge]] |date=7 December 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="metacritic-pc">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/reigns-her-majesty/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Reigns: Her Majesty for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=25 February 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="metacritic-ios">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/reigns-her-majesty/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=Reigns: Her Majesty for iPhone/iPad Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=25 February 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="pc gamer">{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Samuel |title=Reigns: Her Majesty review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/reigns-her-majesty-review/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=25 February 2018 |date=7 December 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="hardcore-gamer">{{cite web |last1=LeClair |first1=Kyle |title=Review: Reigns: Her Majesty |url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/12/07/review-reigns-her-majesty/282213/ |website=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=25 February 2018 |date=8 May 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="gaming-nexus">{{cite web |last1=Gamble |first1=Dave |title=Reigns Her Majesty Review |url=https://www.gamingnexus.com/Article/5551/Reigns-Her-Majesty/ |website=Gaming Nexus |access-date=25 February 2018 |date=12 December 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="gamespace">{{cite web |last1=Ford |first1=Suzie |title=Reigns Her Majesty – Long Live the Que... |url=https://www.gamespace.com/all-articles/quick-hit-review/reigns-her-majesty-review/ |website=GameSpace |access-date=25 February 2018 |date=7 December 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="the sixth axis">{{cite web |last1=L |first1=Stefan |title=Reigns: Her Majesty Review |url=http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2017/12/07/reigns-her-majesty-review/ |website=The Sixth Axis |access-date=8 May 2018 |date=7 December 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="venture beat">{{cite web |last1=Chan |first1=Stephanie |title=Reigns: Her Majesty review — it's a royal ball |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/09/reigns-her-majesty-review-its-a-royal-ball/ |website=VentureBeat |access-date=8 May 2018 |date=9 December 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="new game network">{{cite web |last1=V |first1=Alex |title=Reigns: Her Majesty Review |url=https://www.newgamenetwork.com/article/1827/reigns-her-majesty-review/ |website=New Game Network |access-date=8 May 2018 |date=8 December 2017}}</ref>

<ref name="toucharcade">{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/12/07/reigns-her-majesty-review/ |title='Reigns: Her Majesty' Review – This Queen Reigns Supreme |last=Hodapp |first=Eli |date=7 December 2017 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=23 June 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="gdc noms 2018">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/312569/Breath_of_the_Wild__Horizon_Zero_Dawn_lead_GDC_2018_Choice_Awards_nominees.php |title=Breath of the Wild & Horizon Zero Dawn lead GDC 2018 Choice Awards nominees! |author=Gamasutra staff |date=5 January 2018 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=5 September 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="bafta awards 2018">{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/bafta-names-what-remains-of-edith-finch-its-best-game-of-2017-498392.phtml |title=BAFTA names What Remains of Edith Finch its best game of 2017 |last=Makedonski |first=Brett |date=12 April 2018 |website=[[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]] |access-date=5 September 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="develop noms 2018">{{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development/announcing-the-develop-awards-2018-nominations-shortlist |title=Announcing the Develop Awards 2018 nominations shortlist |author=MCV staff |date=21 May 2018 |website=MCV |access-date=5 September 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="golden joystick noms">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ |title=Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now |last=Hoggins |first=Tom |date=24 September 2018 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=6 October 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="golden joystick winners">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/ |title=Golden Joystick Awards 2018 winners: God of War wins big but Fortnite gets Victory Royale |last=Sheridan |first=Connor |date=16 November 2018 |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="wggb awards noms">{{cite web |url=https://www.alcs.co.uk/news/writers-guild-of-great-britain-awards-2019-shortlist-announced |title=WRITERS' GUILD OF GREAT BRITAIN AWARDS 2019: SHORTLISTS ANNOUNCED |date=5 December 2018 |website=ALCS |access-date=11 December 2018}}</ref>

<ref name="wggb awards winners">{{cite web |url=https://writersguild.org.uk/writers-guild-award-winners-2019/ |title=Writers' Guild Award winners 2019 |date=14 January 2019 |website=Writers' Guild of Great Britain |access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==

[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Strategy video games]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Reigns: Her Majesty}}