Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs was one of the most popular PC Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) of last year, with the game ultimately receiving high review scores from critics and regular players. Come April 12, though, Xbox One owners will no longer be left out of the fun; Regalia is expected to receive a console release, complete with an expansion. Here's what the game has to offer, and why you may want to give it a chance.
Heir to the throne (and its bills)
Narratively, Regalia is unusual compared to other JRPGs. Most of them are serious in tone and contain a thought-provoking theme, but with Regalia, things are more lighthearted. You play as Kay Loren, the sole heir to the throne of the kingdom of Regalia. Ravaged by a war of crusades, the fiefdom lies abandoned and in ruins. It's up to you, your two sisters, and your bodyguard to start anew and restore Regalia to glory, making jokes and having fun all along the way.
Things aren't so simple, however. You are soon informed that the previous rulers of Regalia ended up swimming in debt when they died, and now that bill is in your hands. While you're rebuilding Regalia, you'll also need to keep finances in the back of your mind, and if you don't, things are going to get a whole lot worse.
Great combat that you can embrace or avoid
When it comes to fighting creatures, people, or other types of foes, Regalia blends the classic turn-based style of many RPGs with a game of chess on a grid board. The result is a tactical game that requires you to choose where and how you use your characters wisely. The game is admittedly easy, but you can lose surprisingly fast if you let your guard down and underestimate your opponent.
One of the most appreciated features of Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is the fact that you are allowed to skip almost every battle in the game with no consequences. Though I'm someone who loves good combat, I understand that some people just want to kick back and enjoy the story side of things. This battle skipping will let them do just that, and it's a feature that we rarely see in today's gaming market.
A whole new world
To say that Regalia's presentation is fantastic would be an understatement. The art design and graphics are gorgeous, vibrant, and colorful, and it all makes the game a pleasure to look at. A particularly interesting and rarely seen concept is the fact that the various backgrounds in the game are all hand-drawn.
From a musical perspective, the title doesn't disappoint. Featuring an orchestral score created by Game Audio Factory (a well-known group that has composed for indie games), the score of Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs is amazingly detailed and rich. In addition, the excellent voice acting and other forms of sound design often heavily enhances the writing and gameplay.
Your thoughts
You have tried the game? What do you think of Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs coming to Xbox One? Let us know in the comments.
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs Royal Edition is available to preorder on Xbox One for $24.99, and it should be released on April 12, 2018. You can also find the base game on Steam for $19.99 if you prefer PC gaming.
