I somehow missed out on the initial release of “Yes, Your Grace” back in 2020. But when I finally got around to playing it on my phone, I was hooked and finished it in just one evening. My main gripe with this kingdom management game? It was over too soon. Luckily for fans like me, its sequel, “Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall,” is due any day now, and for those eager to dive in, there’s a free demo available on Steam Next Fest. The game promises a load of tough decisions that will linger in your mind.
In “Snowfall,” the story picks up right after the events of the original, so you won’t be left in the dark even if you didn’t experience the first game. The initial game focused on a king trying to ensure his legacy while keeping his subjects happy and his family intact. The sequel carries forward the major plot threads, allowing players to either follow a default storyline or integrate decisions they made in the first game into this new adventure.
The core gameplay loop in “Snowfall” feels familiar. Each week, you’ll meet with subjects from your realm, as well as foreign diplomats and family members, all presenting you with their problems. Resolving these issues often demands resources like money, effort, or influence, requiring careful management on your part.
“Snowfall” builds on decision-making, going beyond simple dialogue choices. While the resources in the first game were somewhat abstract, the sequel introduces new mechanics, letting you combine items or agents with unique qualities for problem-solving. This allows for greater flexibility in tackling challenges, but also demands more strategic thinking and resource allocation.
Not every decision you make will be life-or-death, but you’ll seldom have enough to keep everyone happy. The game quickly teaches you that every choice, no matter how insignificant it seems, will impact the story later on.
Aside from continuing the storyline of the original, “Snowfall” also introduces a survival mode, available in the demo but yet to be confirmed for the launch. This mode ditches the overarching narrative and challenges you to maintain your kingdom’s stability for as long as possible.
“Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall” is expected to release in the first quarter of 2025 on multiple platforms including Windows PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. Until it officially drops, I definitely recommend dipping into the demo and catching up on the original if you haven’t already.