You have no idea how desperately I wanted a new Princess Maker game. I have loved the series since I played the second one ages ago. I got so excited when titles finally getting localized, even appearing on consoles like the Switch. The downside is, we sometimes get ports and localizations that aren’t great. (I still wish the PC version of Princess Maker 5 on Steam was better.) D-Zard launched Princess Maker: Children of Revelation on Steam Early Access and, while there are some initial issues, it seems like it could be at least starting in a strong place.
Princess Maker: Children of Revelation takes some cues from past entries in the series, such as allowing someone to select their parental avatar’s gender, bringing in Cube as the assistant and butler, and introducing RPG elements like seen in Princess Maker 2. We’ve been selected to raise a child and help her find her way in the world, and the major decisions begin once she turns 10. While the full game will involve raising her from 10 to 18, as in past installments, the current build only lets you get to about 14. The art direction is incredibly similar and based on past games, which also lends a sense of immediate familiarity.
The gameplay loop is very similar, and the elements feel like they capture what’s important about the series. You determine her schedule each month, with this installment letting you pick what she does from the 1-10, 11-20, and 21-31, generally. Lessons include Alchemy, Art, Dance, Etiquette, History, Literature, Magic Studies, Martial Arts, Music, and Swordsmanship to start. She can also work part-time jobs to earn money for survival and schooling, with Botanical Garden, Housework, Infirmary, Ranch, Restaurant, and Woodworking Woodshop available at the outset. She can also recuperate if her stress is too high, taking one of those blocks of time in a month to relax at home, go outside with some spending money, or go on a paid vacation.
It’s very similar to past games, right down to the progression once you set a schedule. When she’s at a class or job, you see how well she performed. That affects stat gains and money earned. Once a phase is done, before plotting what’s next, you can visit spots in town or send her to the royal family to try and get to know people in power. (This time, it involves going to see the Demon King’s estate and retinue.) You can still talk to her and socialize, and customization elements are available in the form of clothes that can have an affect on characters.
What I did appreciate about the initial early access build of Princess Maker: Children of Revelation is how it prioritizes the daughter’s relationships at a faster pace. By the start, I’d already started to see her meet characters who could turn into rivals, friends, or love interests. It made me feel like even though this is still early in development, there’s an indication of world-building we sometimes didn’t see in similar titles or other installments.
The downside is, Princess Maker: Children of Revelation is still early on. You can’t go through a full run as a character, which is a letdown. Considering it is $34.99, that might be a big ask for someone. The game is expected to be released in the first half of 2026, and D-Zard noted it will release between two and three updates before then. Since there’s no demo though, it’s understandable if someone might get leery and want to wait until the next update launches or a sale appears.
However, after what I’ve played, I’m pretty hopeful about Princess Maker: Children of Revelation. The first few in-game years are fun. The gameplay loop is sound. I like the ambiance, and it feels like D-Zard understand what people who play the series love about it. It’s just a matter of hoping it does stay on schedule and remain as solid as it seems so far.
Princess Maker: Children of Revelation is in early access for the PC via Steam and is expected to launch in 2026.
Published: Jul 28, 2025 09:00 am