Mandate Order

The main pros of the game

• Military Mechanics: Many players appreciate the military aspects of the game, noting that it offers a more in-depth and customizable approach to warfare compared to similar titles.
• Visual Aesthetic: The game features a distinct ancient Chinese aesthetic, which many players find appealing and immersive.
• Dynamic Gameplay: Some reviews highlight the game's pace and the ability to build and expand quickly, making it engaging for players who enjoy a fast-paced city-building experience.
• Quality of Life Features: Users mention various quality-of-life improvements, such as a good tutorial system and helpful alerts for in-game events.
• Engaging Soundtrack: The music has been praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

The main cons of the game

• Lack of Originality: A significant number of reviews criticize the game for being too similar to Manor Lords, with many mechanics and UI elements feeling like a direct copy. This has led to accusations of it being a "clone" or "rip-off."
• Performance Issues: Some players report lag and performance problems, especially during battles or when managing larger populations.
• Limited Building Variety: The game currently has a lack of diverse building types, with many structures being repetitive (e.g., only tents for housing), which detracts from the city-building experience.
• Balancing Problems: Users mention issues with resource management and balancing, including the ease of resource acquisition and the overwhelming population growth that can lead to chaos.
• Lack of Depth: Many players feel that the game lacks depth in various gameplay aspects, such as a meaningful progression system and strategic elements in combat.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Building Upgrades: Players express a desire for a building upgrade system that allows for more advanced structures beyond the basic tents.
• Diverse Resource Management: There are calls for a broader range of resources and farming options, including the addition of rice as a staple food.
• Research or Tech Trees: Users suggest implementing a research tree or tech progression to add depth and strategy to the gameplay.
• Improved AI and Pathfinding: Some reviews highlight the need for better pathfinding for units and improved AI behavior during battles.
• Enhanced Diplomacy and Trade Mechanics: Players mention that the game could benefit from more complex diplomatic options and trade systems to add layers to the strategy.

Conclusion

• While Mandate Order has potential, particularly in its military mechanics and aesthetic appeal, it faces significant criticism for its lack of originality, performance issues, and limited depth. The developers are encouraged to address these concerns as they continue to develop the game in early access.

Summary generated on: September 7, 2026