Rule a Wild Kingdom In 'Sort the Court'

The adage is that it's not easy being king, but the cartoony and laid-back kingdom-ruling sim Sort the Court! might just trick you into thinking otherwise.

This isn't a game to play for the challenge of micromanaging food stores and wooden logs and facilities, nor is it a game to play for the thrill of picking up a sword and leading your army into a deeply tactical battle. Instead Sort the Court! lies somewhere between Monster Loves You and The Yawhg, though in terms of tone it's certainly closer to the former than the latter. It's soft and sketchy, fun and endearing, with only the thinnest wiry vein of anything more sinister concealed in its soft, piecemeal storytelling.

In essence, it's a torrent of yes or no questions, and through them you as the king (or queen!) shape the fortunes of the populace. The days pass as you rule, answering grave issues and mundane requests alike from your subjects as well as the occasional passerby or guest. Your city grows or shrinks, depending on how well you rule, but benevolence and balance aren't too challenging to maintain.

Fortunes come down to gold as much as luck, here. Your courtly coffers might be full one day, and the next a few tragedies may strike in a row that can put you in the red. But as I've said, Sort the Court! Is ultimately a kind game. When thing get tough for your fledgling king, it's always there to offer you an out. Trade a little happiness or even a few subjects' souls away and you'll be back in business, building the kingdom up and hopefully securing yourself a place among the exalted council of rulers in the area. Whatever you lose can be easily restored by being a supportive leader… But then again, there's more than one way to reign.

Download Sort the Court! or play it in your browser over on itch.io.