Review of Princess Maker 2’s regeneration

The decisions made by Princess Maker 2 on a whim are no different than choosing to sign up for lessons or take on a job to supplement her income. But be aware that every decision you make has an impact, increasing the likelihood of delinquency for the young maiden who didn’t find solace in studying poetry, theology, or fencing.

Princess Maker 2 Regeneration
Platform: PC, also on Switch
Developer: Bliss Brain, Monkey Craft
Publisher: Bliss Brain
Release date: July 11th, 2024
Availability: Digital
Price: $39.99 via Steam, $35.99 launch discount price

It is common practice to base simulations on apparent relationships. In a city management game, increasing the population density will inevitably cause traffic to increase and put more demand on the electrical grid. These sims can be intimidating at first, but leadership isn’t entirely difficult once you understand the various cause-and-effect interactions.

Panda Papa or Dragon Dad?

Princess Maker 2 Regeneration cleverly takes a more nuanced tack. The 1993 child-raising simulation developed by Gainax has undergone two revisions, but the game’s replication of parenting is still incredibly realistic. You have to plan your month, scheduling work, school, and even taking time off to avoid getting sick or stressed out.

In addition, you are in charge of giving her pocket money, monitoring her food intake, choosing her clothes, and even reprimanding her if she starts acting out. In Princess Maker 2, there are practically so many moving parts that it becomes difficult to foresee anything. When you believe you have resolved a problem, your daughter may flee, wasting a considerable amount of time.

You will choose your heir’s birthday and blood type before the game begins, establishing your role as her guardian deity and fundamental characteristics. Almost every choice has both advantages and disadvantages. Without a guide, it can be difficult to anticipate the effects of every decision, particularly if your daughter leans toward disobedience and money is tight if she doesn’t work. Considering how old the game is, don’t anticipate much help. Regeneration is no exception to the Princess Maker series’ general philosophy of rewarding experience-based learning.

The Adoption by God

According to the game’s plot, players take on the role of brave warriors who repelled the prince of darkness and his henchmen from a kingdom during the Middle Ages. In addition to being hailed as a hero by the locals and receiving a stipend from the monarch, a deity also gets in touch with him. The hero receives an unspoiled ten-year-old from the god, and the game has over fifty endings that you will experience based on your choices as a father.

The results are predictable and could include your famous daughter getting married, gaining a competitor job, or finding part- or full-time employment. With hundreds of possible choices influencing the game’s statistics, which eventually define your daughter’s life path, each playtime takes roughly six hours. Thankfully, all of your skills are shown on screen, and modifications are highlighted in summaries at the end of each event.

A Modest Degeneration?

Takami Akai, the original Princess Maker director and character designer, redrew the computer graphics (CGs) for Regeneration, and Yonago Gainax contributed an animated opening cinematic. Modern hardware offers a higher resolution, yet the game’s little animations still have that nostalgic appeal. You will witness your daughter’s struggles at work and at class as she adheres to her schedule, and larger character pictures will highlight the outfits you choose.However, Steam Deck support is sporadic the day before the game’s formal debut, with the stat panel covering a portion of the UI. Positively, you can raise your daughter without spending all of your time in front of a keyboard thanks to controller support. However, it would be excellent if the developers included text-based descriptions to go along with the schedule symbols to aid novices.

Regeneration has the potential to stoke nostalgia if creators Bliss Brain and Monkey Craft can get over these obstacles. Sending your heir on an expedition (after you’ve appropriately educated and equipped her, of course) is one of the game’s highlights. As daddy’s young girl defeats monsters and loots treasure, the title here harks back to the choppy scrolling and sudden encounters of an early role-playing game.

In summary

For some, the game’s MIDI soundtrack—which harkens back to the synthesized instruments of a bygone era—will be the cherry on top of this memorable cake. Like a lot of Princess Maker 2 Regeneration, I would anticipate that many contemporary players would be perplexed by how archaic they appear. However, the target audience for the title could find these archaic fanfares amusing. They remind you of a time before games held your hand and advancement was achieved by trial and error. Although this method wasn’t particularly user-friendly, you feel doubly fulfilled when you eventually figure out how to take some control over the simulation.

Princess Maker 2 Regeneration was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.

Review Overview

Gameplay – 85%

Controls – 65%

Aesthetics – 70%

Content – 75%

Accessibility – 60%

Value – 65%

70%

GOOD!

Summary : Princess Maker 2, a game that originated in text-based simulations such as Hamurabi, is still considered a throwback. Because of this, some people might not see the appeal of a childrearing simulation in which users must strike a balance among dozens of variables in order for their heir to succeed. However, Regeneration’s decision-making may be interesting to individuals who grew up during the early, experimental days of gaming. Whether you raise a delinquent or a debutante, the simulation’s intricate realism is captivating.