Roleplaying games are famous for their promise to let players step into anybody's shoes, from the lowest commoner's footwraps to the fanciest noble's lacquered boots. There are plenty of fantasy RPGs that have the protagonist take quests and go forth on behalf of their monarch (or attempt to dethrone the evil ones), but few let the hero actually take their place on the throne as an absolute ruler.

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Whether it's overseeing daily kingdom business or participating in the act of winning the kingdom and the divine right to rule, these games not only let players choose what kind of person they want to be with skills, attributes, and other meaningful personal choices but also how they would shape their dominion or empire.

Fable 3

Metascore: 80

• Just as in the first two Fable games, the player is expected to make choices about who their character is, or in this case, what kind of monarch
• Although some fans can be put off by the sudden shift in gameplay, Fable 3 accurately depicts one of the central elements of monarchy: land ownership

Each game in the Fable series sees the player go from a hapless kid to a heroic (or horrific) figure in history. After crossing their older sibling, the protagonist of Fable 3 finds themselves exiled and later becomes the leader of a rebellion effort. The latter half of Fable 3 has the player manage their kingdom right before an eldrich-style invading entity. As the new monarch, players have to make decisions that will affect the future of Albion.

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While some of the ethical choices the player is asked to make are questionable (blue wallpaper in the palace for good, red for evil, for example), there is still an engaging exploration of what it means to be a leader to be had. The ticking of the clock and lighthearted-adventure-to-kingdom-management genre whiplash make Fable 3 a contentious end of the original trilogy, but anyone looking to make moral choices on the backs of their peasants with a surprisingly extensive landlord management system will appreciate this regal finale.

Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Metascore: 84

• While its kingdom management is robust, it is streamlined compared to other kingdom management games
• Both the kingdom-building and adventuring systems are integrated, meaning that one will always benefit the other

In Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom, players assume the role of Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, a young king deposed from his throne (and possibly the reincarnation of the last United States president sent to another world by a barrage of nuclear warheads). In addition to the usual traditional RPG elements, Revenant Kingdom has the player engage with building mechanics. Much of the game will be taken up with wholesome side quests, which means that players won't see much stoic throne-squatting that kings typically get up to, but they will get to experience the rise and growth of their own kingdom.

Players are tasked with rebuilding their kingdom from scratch, which means filling coffers, recruiting citizens, managing resources and storage, and constructing buildings to improve the kingdom's output and security. Revenant Kingdom cleverly mixes the kingdom-building system with the traditional adventure and real-time combat system, meaning that engaging with one side of the game will also benefit the other. For example, building a training ground increases experience point gain.

Suikoden 2

Metascore: 82

• Players take the role of an army commander in a classic JRPG format involving a potential 108 recruits
• Battles range from RPG party-sized to kingdom-vs-kingdom with different and compelling systems catered to each

Suikoden is famous for its massive cast, epic storylines that cross history and countries, and heroic battles. In Suikoden 2, the protagonist never takes a crown upon their head but is nonetheless responsible for recruiting an army, refurbishing a castle (after taking it from a vampire), and leading a rebellion against an encroaching evil empire. In addition to the regular battles that are a staple of the JRPG genre, Suikoden 2 also has players take part in massive-scale battles.

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After taking on a massive party of over 100 potential members, following their related questlines, and charging into battle with them, it's easy to feel like a true ruler of a people. However, those looking for an adventure involving bonafide royalty should also check out Suidoken 5, in which a Prince must fight off usurpers of the crown with the help of sympathetic factions and magically-charged runes (although, unfortunately, there doesn't look to be a remake rerelease of Suidoken 5 any time soon).

Dragon Age: Inquistion

Metascore: 85

• Players are regal in all but name as they get to personally make long-lasting and impactful judgments about the fate of Thedas and its people
• When the Inquisitor sits in judgment, they even do so on a throne and with a lordly air

In Dragon Age Origins, it is possible to end the game with the main character ascending to the throne, but they hardly get a chance to exercise any power. In the third installment, Dragon Age: Inquisition, players are thrust into the role of the Inquisitor. With the title comes the fortress of Skyhold, from which the Inquisitor and their companions make their home. It isn't just having a fortress on a majestic mountain that will make players feel regal.

The Inquisitor may not have a crown upon their head to declare their sovereignty, but they do regularly exercise their judgment against the people of Thedas, all while sitting upon a lofty throne. Some judgments are life, death, or a fate worse than death. As well as being customizable and expandable, Skyhold also contains a war room from which the Inquisitor can send their finest warriors out on grand military, scouting, or diplomatic operations, which influence the fate of the world (and the Fade beyond).

Pathfinder: Kingmaker

Metascore: 73

• Kingmaker is the perfect distillment of classic tabletop-style RPGs and the supreme power associated with becoming royalty
• Kingdom management and on-the-ground adventuring are both satisfyingly complex and are mostly faithful to the tabletop original

If there's only one crown for a game that combines all the elements of moment-to-moment adventure roleplaying kingdom building and management, the reigning monarch is undoubtedly Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Players explore the Stolen Lands in search of the Stag Lord and, upon defeating him, are given a charter to claim the land as their own and build it into their very own kingdom. In the first half of the game, the player makes their avatar and bands together with a group of adventurers, while the second half is dedicated to the management of their realm.

Kingmaker perfectly evokes an authentic tabletop roleplaying feel. For example, the party's travels are represented by a wooden game piece traveling across a table-lain map. Just as its combat system is a faithful recreation of the tabletop Pathfinder's deeply intricate system, Kingmaker's kingdom management does an excellent job of simulating the workings of a fantasy realm's economy, politics, and crises. The style of the kingdom that the player creates as an end result of their efforts even has theme music (and a general vibe) determined by their moral alignment.

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