Reigns

Reigns runs on a deceptively simple mechanic borrowed from dating apps: every interaction is a card showing an advisor, peasant, ally or enemy with a request. Swipe left or right (the card explains what each choice means) and your kingdom shifts. Four factions track your balance (church, people, army, treasury), and any of them maxing or zeroing out kills your king.

Death rotates the throne to your heir, who picks up the dynasty mid-saga. Events span centuries: medieval beginnings give way to witch burnings, scientific enlightenment, increasingly wicked politics and, perhaps, the Devil himself. Some plot threads only resolve generations after they began, and the dynasty's gradual unfolding is where Reigns sets itself apart from short-session card-swipe games.

Disasterpeace (Fez, It Follows) composed the score, complementing Nerial's bold art direction and ink-line illustrations. Royal Challenges are specific goals set at the start of a reign that unlock new content when completed. The full content arc covers hundreds of cards and dozens of distinct story scenarios, with a steady flow of new monarchical chaos every session.