Yes, Your Grace

In ‘Yes, Your Grace’, players assume the role of King Eryk, ruling the medieval kingdom of Davern. Balancing royal duties, political intrigue, and familial responsibilities, the game combines strategy and narrative-driven gameplay. As monarch, you must manage limited resources, hear petitions from subjects, forge alliances, and make morally complex decisions with far-reaching consequences. Set against a grim, fairy-tale-inspired backdrop, the story explores themes of sacrifice and leadership through branching narratives, where every choice impacts the kingdom’s survival and the fate of Eryk’s dynasty.

Yes, Your Grace: Review

Welcome to the throne, Your Grace. In the realm of video games, few titles offer as immersive and challenging an experience as Yes, Your Grace. Developed by Brave at Night and published by No More Robots, this role-playing strategy game thrusts players into the shoes of King Eryk of Davern, a medieval kingdom beset by internal and external threats. Released in March 2020, Yes, Your Grace has carved out a niche for itself in the gaming landscape, blending deep narrative with strategic gameplay. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, critical reception, and legacy.

Development History & Context

Yes, Your Grace was born out of a passion for storytelling and strategic gameplay. The game’s development began with a Kickstarter campaign in 2015, driven by the creators’ love for titles like Papers, Please and Crusader Kings II. The development cycle spanned five years, with the majority of the work conducted in a remote village in Poland. The harsh winter conditions and isolated environment significantly influenced the game’s design, imbuing it with a sense of urgency and resource scarcity that permeates the gameplay.

The game’s success can be attributed to its effective marketing and the availability of translations into numerous languages, which helped it reach a global audience. The initial release on Steam and GOG.com in March 2020 was followed by ports to Nintendo Switch and Xbox One in June 2020, and Xbox Series X/S as a launch title in November 2020. The game’s development was a labor of love, with a small team of five individuals—Rafal Bryks, Alina Cebula, Luke Ashcroft, Carlos Filipe Alves, and Damion Sheppard—contributing to various aspects of the game.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Yes, Your Grace tells a tale of political intrigue, family drama, and moral dilemmas. King Eryk rules Davern with his wife, Queen Aurelea, and their three daughters—Lorsulia, Asalia, and Cedani. The kingdom faces a succession crisis due to the lack of a male heir, and external threats loom large with the neighboring barbarian nation of Radovia threatening invasion. The narrative is structured around weekly rounds, with events presented as visitors to the royal court. Players must manage resources, forge alliances, and make decisions that will shape the fate of Davern and its people.

The game’s strength lies in its character development and the emotional weight of the choices players must make. Each character is well-written, with distinct personalities and storylines that intertwine with the main plot. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, and the narrative is filled with twists and turns that keep players on the edge of their seats. The themes of power, responsibility, and the consequences of one’s actions are explored in depth, making Yes, Your Grace a thought-provoking experience.

Plot

The story of Yes, Your Grace is a complex web of political maneuvering and personal drama. King Eryk must navigate the challenges of ruling a kingdom while dealing with the personal struggles of his family. The game’s plot is driven by the need to secure an alliance with a powerful kingdom to fend off the threat of invasion from Radovia. This involves marrying off his eldest daughter, Lorsulia, to Prince Ivo of Atana, a decision that has far-reaching consequences.

The narrative is filled with moral dilemmas, as Eryk must choose between the needs of his people and the demands of his family. The game’s branching storylines and multiple endings ensure that players will have a unique experience with each playthrough. The emotional stakes are high, and the consequences of the player’s choices are felt throughout the game.

Characters

The characters in Yes, Your Grace are its greatest asset. King Eryk is a complex protagonist, torn between his duty to his kingdom and his love for his family. Queen Aurelea is a strong and supportive partner, while the three daughters each have their own unique personalities and storylines. Lorsulia is the eldest and most responsible, Asalia is a tomboy who loves swordplay, and Cedani is the youngest and most adventurous, with a penchant for taming dangerous animals.

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with lords, knights, and other nobles each having their own agendas and motivations. The interactions between these characters and the player are the heart of the game, and the emotional depth of these relationships is what makes Yes, Your Grace stand out.

Dialogue

The dialogue in Yes, Your Grace is sharp and engaging, with each character having a distinct voice. The writing is witty and often humorous, but it also deals with serious themes and emotional issues. The dialogue is a key part of the game’s narrative, and it is through these conversations that the player comes to understand the motivations and desires of the characters.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Yes, Your Grace is a management game at its core, with players taking on the role of King Eryk and managing the resources of his kingdom. The gameplay is organized into weekly rounds, with events presented as visitors to the royal court. Players must manage money, supplies, and military forces, while also dealing with the needs of their family and the demands of their nobles.

The game’s core gameplay loop involves listening to petitioners and deciding whether to help them or conserve resources for more important matters. This involves a series of binary choices, with each decision having consequences that ripple throughout the game. The game’s UI is intuitive and easy to use, with a point-and-select interface that allows players to interact with the game world seamlessly.

Combat

Combat in Yes, Your Grace is minimal, with players issuing orders and making decisions during battles. The outcome of these battles is largely determined by the player’s preparations and the choices they have made throughout the game. The combat system is simple but effective, with a focus on strategy and resource management rather than action.

Character Progression

Character progression in Yes, Your Grace is tied to the player’s decisions and the alliances they forge. As the game progresses, players can hire generals, witches, and hunters to aid their efforts. These characters can be upgraded and improved, but their effectiveness is largely determined by the player’s choices and the resources they have available.

UI

The game’s UI is clean and intuitive, with a point-and-select interface that allows players to interact with the game world seamlessly. The UI is designed to be unobtrusive, allowing players to focus on the game’s narrative and strategic gameplay. The UI is also customizable, with players able to adjust the settings to suit their preferences.

Innovative or Flawed Systems

One of the innovative systems in Yes, Your Grace is the way it handles resource management. The game’s economy is based on a finite amount of resources, with players having to make tough choices about how to allocate these resources. This system is both innovative and flawed, as it can lead to frustration and a sense of helplessness, but it also adds a layer of depth and strategy to the gameplay.

Another innovative system is the way the game handles character interactions. The dialogue system is designed to be immersive, with players able to choose from a range of responses and see the consequences of their choices play out in real-time. This system is a key part of the game’s narrative, and it is through these interactions that the player comes to understand the motivations and desires of the characters.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Yes, Your Grace is set in a fictional medieval kingdom inspired by Slavic folklore. The game’s world is richly detailed, with a unique blend of fantasy and historical elements. The art style is retro, with pixelated graphics that give the game a timeless feel. The sound design is equally impressive, with a soundtrack that complements the game’s atmosphere and a voice-acting that brings the characters to life.

The game’s setting is a key part of its appeal, with the medieval fantasy world providing a rich backdrop for the game’s narrative and strategic gameplay. The world-building is impressive, with a attention to detail that brings the game’s setting to life. The art and sound design work together to create an immersive and engaging experience.

Reception & Legacy

Yes, Your Grace received generally positive reviews from critics and players alike. The game’s Metacritic score is 75/100 for PC and 74/100 for Nintendo Switch, indicating a generally favorable reception. Critics praised the game’s writing, character development, and emotional depth, but some noted that the game’s binary choices and lack of impactful decisions could be frustrating.

The game’s legacy is already being felt, with a sequel, Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall, announced in June 2023 and released on May 8, 2025. The game has also influenced subsequent titles in the genre, with its blend of narrative and strategy setting a new standard for kingdom management RPGs.

Conclusion

Yes, Your Grace is a masterclass in narrative-driven gameplay, blending deep strategy with emotional storytelling. The game’s development history, narrative depth, and innovative systems set it apart in the crowded field of strategy RPGs. The world-building, art, and sound design create an immersive experience that draws players in and keeps them engaged. The game’s critical and commercial success, along with its influence on subsequent titles, cement its place in video game history. For those seeking a challenging and emotionally resonant gaming experience, Yes, Your Grace is a must-play.