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Suzerain (video game)

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(Redirected from Anton Rayne)
Suzerain
Developer(s)Torpor Games
Publisher(s)Fellow Traveller
Composer(s)James Spence[3]
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
ReleasemacOS, Switch, Windows
4 December 2020[1]
Android, iOS
8 December 2022[2]
Genre(s)Government simulation, turn-based strategy
Mode(s)Single-player

Suzerain is a narrative government simulation game developed by Torpor Games and published by Fellow Traveller. It was released for Windows, macOS, on 4 December 2020 and Nintendo Switch, on 23 September 2021, and for Android and iOS on 8 December 2022.

Plot

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Suzerain places the player in the role of Anton Rayne, the newly-elected president of the fictitious Republic of Sordland, which has emerged from a civil war and twenty years of authoritarianism under the regime of former President Tarquin Soll, as well as a severe economic recession under Rayne's predecessor, Ewald Alphonso. As president, the player must decide how to lead the country in his first term and work to fix the various structural problems and crises that have affected the country for years, and navigate an increasingly tense geopolitical world to win a second term. The player must make various policy decisions and prevent the nation from collapsing or being threatened by powerful foreign nations on the continent of Merkopa and abroad, such as the superpowers of the Republic of Arcasia or the Federal Socialist Republic of United Contana, and major regional powers such as the Kingdom of Rumburg, Republic of Lespia and Democratic Republic of Valgsland.[4][5]

Gameplay

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In-game screenshot

The player guides the country through an economic crisis and may choose to resolve the crisis by either continuing Soll's autarkic economic nationalist policy, pursuing a socialist planned economy that nationalizes large sections of Sordish industry, a mixed economy, or continuing former President Alphonso's attempted transition to laissez-faire capitalism. In addition, mass protests and demands for change sweep the country. This can be resolved by reforming the country's constitution to either limit or increase the powers of the president, or halt reforms all together and declare a state of emergency backed by the Sollist deep state, the "Old Guard."

Other interactions include reforming and investing in national education, healthcare, and other social welfare services, removing political corruption and inefficiency from Sordland's governing institutions and law enforcement, and preparing the military for a possible conflict with Rumburg, an expansionist and militaristic monarchist empire and Sordland's longtime nemesis. As a consequence of the player's decisions, the country can achieve a remarkable economic recovery, become a full-fledged democracy, or accomplish a military victory over Rumburg. Alternatively, the country may suffer nationwide protests, economic depression, a military coup d'état, conquest by a major foreign power, or an outright world war. The player must also deal with internal factionalism within the ruling United Sordland Party, which affects the player's ability to amend the Constitution, pass laws, enact policies, or can even result in the player's impeachment.

Updates and downloadable content

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A major update, titled "Amendment", was released 31 July 2023. It added content and lore in the form of a number of scenes, several bills, and several hundred news events. The update was accompanied by information surrounding an upcoming DLC for the in-game country of Rizia.[6] "Kingdom of Rizia" was released as Suzerain's first downloadable content on 25 March 2024.[7]

Reception

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Suzerain was awarded the Deutscher Computerspielpreis Bestes Expertenspiel (Best Expert Game),[9] as well as the 2021 Games for Change People's Choice Award and was recognized as a Most Innovative Nominee.[10][11] Unfold Games Awards also awarded the game with an honorable mention.[4]

Suzerain received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[5] Rock Paper Shotgun noted the game world as impressively detailed and overall it was called a superb game.[12] PC Gamer noted it as a fascinating and unique game.[13] Vice.com said the game has "sharp historical insight and commentary on the politics of today."[14] Oyungezer gave the game a positive review and praised the world building, character designs, and the high replayability. They thought the tutorial and user interface could be better, and called the music repetitive.[8] The Escapist said the game "[...] makes for an interesting and emotionally taxing experience".[15] In 2024, PCGamesN listed Suzerain as one of the best political games on the PC.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Malindy Hetfeld (2020-11-30). "Political management RPG Suzerain gets a December 4 release date". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  2. ^ Dellosa, Catherine (2022-11-18). "Suzerain, the award-winning political text-based RPG, is coming to mobile on December 8th". www.pocketgamer.com. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  3. ^ "Suzerain (Original Soundtrack)". Bandcamp. 2020-12-01.
  4. ^ a b "2021 Winners". Unfold Games Awards. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  5. ^ a b c "Suzerain". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  6. ^ Serin, Kaan (August 2023). "Suzerain's 2.0 update is a "massive overhaul" to the already-excellent political RPG". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  7. ^ Burdette, David (25 March 2024). "Rule regally in Suzerain's Kingdom of Rizia DLC, available now!". Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b Vural, Engin (22 December 2020). "Suzerain - İnceleme". Oyungezer (in Turkish). Seti Publishing. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Suzerain". Deutscher Computerspielpreis (in German). Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  10. ^ "Games for Change Unveils 2021 "Best of" Video Game & XR Winners". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  11. ^ "Festival Awards". Games for Change Festival. 2017-04-09. Archived from the original on 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  12. ^ Vega, Sin (31 December 2020). "The best game you missed in December 2020: Suzerain". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  13. ^ Hafer, Len (19 April 2021). "I tried to be a good leader in Suzerain and was sentenced to life in prison". PC Gamer. Future plc. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  14. ^ Zacny, Rob (8 February 2021). "'Suzerain' Is a Political Strategy Game that Shows Why 'Unity' Is a Trap". Vice.com. Vice Media. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  15. ^ Galena, Jesse (11 December 2020). "Suzerain Is an Effective Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Political Simulator – Review in 3 Minutes". The Escapist. Gamurs Group. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  16. ^ Robinson, Joe; Irwin, Dave (15 February 2024). "The best political games on PC 2024". PCGamesN. Network N. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
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