No matter how you may feel about dating app Tinder, you have to give it credit for introducing the simplicity of swiping left or right when making decisions. A new game from famous/infamous developer DevolverDigital (makers of one of the weirdest games ever, Hatoful Boyfriend) is not a dating game or anything, but it does employ that particular mechanic as you become either a benevolent or tyrannical monarch of a medieval kingdom in the new Android game Reigns (yes, with an s).
Basically, the objective of the game is to respond to all the requests and demands of your subjects, allies, enemies, royal relatives, lovers, etc by swiping left or right on the screen. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. But be careful because each decision you make or each swipe you make, just like if you’re using Tinder, has implications and consequences. It can result in either your kingdom’s prosperity and the death of your enemies, or the death of your loved one and the ruin of your subjects and yes, even your own death.
There isn’t one continuous narrative in this Choose Your Own Adventure meets Tinder meets Game of Thrones game, but the seemingly random requests or questions from the people surrounding you will eventually lead to something. What that something is depends on what you swipe of course. Some of the events or issues will be resolved easily, but some may span centuries but not literally of course.
You can download Reigns from the Google Play Store for $2.99. That’s all-in already and no more in-app purchases needed or available. So practice swiping left or right again, this time for the sake of your kingdom.
