To Be A King – Volume 1

Master Empire Building, Intrigues, and Harem Adventures in This Roman Visual Novel

Ever dreamed of stepping into the sandals of a Roman emperor, juggling political schemes, forging alliances, and charming a harem of alluring women? That’s the thrill of To Be A King – Volume 1, the captivating adult visual novel by IT Roy that hooked me from the first scene. I remember diving in late one night, lost in its rich world of empire management and steamy encounters—it’s not just a game, it’s an immersive power fantasy. In this guide, I’ll share insider tips, story breakdowns, and strategies to conquer every challenge, helping you build your legacy without missing a beat. Whether you’re new to visual novels or a seasoned player frustrated by the update hiatus, let’s unlock the full potential of this gem.

What Makes To Be A King Volume 1 a Must-Play?

I remember stumbling across To Be A King Volume 1 on itch.io, completely by accident. 🎮 I was in the mood for something with a bit more… substance than your typical click-through adventure. What I found wasn’t just a game; it was a full-blown immersion into a world of silk, steel, and seduction. From the first click, I wasn’t just playing a Roman empire game—I was ruling one. The promise of managing an empire while navigating a web of personal desires hooked me immediately. So, what is it about this adult visual novel that makes it so relentlessly captivating? Let’s put on our royal purple and dive in.

Why This Roman Empire VN Stands Out in Adult Gaming

Let’s be real: the adult gaming space is crowded. Many titles promise depth but deliver little beyond a few steamy scenes. To Be A King Volume 1 shatters that mold by offering a complete package. This isn’t just a dating sim with a toga; it’s a genuine political intrigues visual novel wrapped in an empire-builder, all seasoned with mature content that actually feels part of the world.

The premise is deceptively simple yet brilliant: you are the new ruler of a Roman-inspired empire. Your throne is precarious, your coffers aren’t bottomless, and everyone from scheming senators to foreign warlords wants a piece of you. Your job? Survive, thrive, and build a legacy. This means every decision, from allocating gold to the army to deciding which noble to invite for a “private audience,” carries weight. The To Be A King gameplay loop is a masterful blend of macro strategy and micro personal management. You’re not just checking boxes on a resource chart; you’re deciding the fate of people, and those people remember your choices.

What truly sets it apart is integration. The adult content isn’t a separate mini-game you unlock; it’s woven directly into the fabric of political alliance, personal favor, and character development. Romancing a powerful general’s daughter isn’t just for fun—it might secure you his unwavering loyalty in the next senate vote. This creates a thrilling tension where pleasure and politics are forever intertwined, making every interaction feel significant and every earned scene a victory on multiple levels. 👑

Core Gameplay Mechanics: From Politics to Passion

Understanding the mechanics is key to enjoying To Be A King Volume 1. Think of your rule as having three pillars: the State, the Court, and the Personal Chamber. Balancing these is your path to success.

• The State (Your Empire): This is your classic management layer. You have resources like gold, influence, and military power. Each “turn” (represented by days or weeks in-game), you make decisions that affect these stats. Will you lower taxes to please the plebs, risking your treasury? Or fund a new warship to intimidate a rival? These choices pop up through events and an advisor council, driving the main geopolitical narrative.

• The Court (Politics & Intrigue): Here’s where the political intrigues visual novel shines. The court is filled with characters—nobles, advisors, foreign dignitaries—each with their own allegiances, secrets, and desires. Dialogue choices here are everything. A carefully chosen compliment can make a powerful friend, while a blunt dismissal can create a bitter enemy who schemes against you later. This is the web you must navigate, and the writing does an excellent job of making these interactions feel tense and meaningful.

• The Personal Chamber (Harem & Relationships): This is your harem building VN playground. As you encounter various characters (both male and female), you can pursue deeper relationships. Gifting, fulfilling their personal quests, and choosing the right intimate dialogue options increase their affection. This isn’t just about collecting scenes; it’s about building a network of loyal companions who provide unique bonuses, from stat boosts to crucial political information.

The genius is how these systems talk to each other. A successful military campaign might impress a certain character, opening new romantic dialogue. Conversely, spending too much time wooing a courtier might lead to an event where your treasurer reports funds are mismanaged. The game constantly reminds you that you are a whole person, and your empire reflects every part of you.

My Pro Tip: Don’t try to be perfect in every category immediately. On your first run, pick a focus—like military dominance or economic prosperity—and let your relationships naturally grow from those actions. It’s more immersive and manageable.

Now, a huge part of your starting strategy hinges on one initial choice: your protagonist. This isn’t just cosmetic; it changes the narrative flavor and scene focus.

Player Choices That Shape Your Royal Destiny

This is where To Be A King Volume 1 becomes truly addictive. Every choice feels like it leaves a mark on your world. Let me describe a “day” in my first successful playthrough to show you what I mean.

My empire was on the brink of war with a northern tribe. My military advisor, a grizzled old veteran, urged a show of force. My spymaster, a cunning woman I’d been cultivating trust with, whispered that the tribe’s chief was insecure and could be swayed with gold and a show of respect. I chose diplomacy. I allocated gold for a generous tribute and wrote a carefully worded decree praising their strength. This choice cost me treasury and some military morale, but it avoided bloodshed.

Later that evening, I attended a feast. The spymaster, pleased with my strategic choice, sought me out. Our conversation was laced with new, more personal undertones. Because I had trusted her counsel, new dialogue options unlocked—ones that leaned into mutual respect and intellectual attraction. A few more choices, and a private walk in the palace gardens led to a deeply earned intimate scene that felt like a reward for wise rulership, not just a random encounter. That’s the magic. One decision on the war map rippled out to strengthen a key alliance in my court and my personal harem building goals. 💖

The branching is extensive. Will you be a merciful king or a tyrannical emperor? A faithful partner to one character or a prolific lover collecting allies through passion? These paths lead to dramatically different endings—from being remembered as a wise unifier to a feared conqueror, or even being overthrown by the very courtiers you spurned.

The replayability is off the charts. My second playthrough was as a ruthless, expansionist ruler. The characters treated me with fear, not respect. Different allies appeared, and the story veered into a dark, thrilling direction of conquest and suppression that felt like a completely different game. And yes, you can absolutely skip any scene you’re not interested in with a clear button, making subsequent playthroughs for story branches very efficient.

It’s not without its flaws. The protagonist’s visual design is a matter of taste, and the most significant frustration is the development stall—Volume 1 is complete, but the story clearly intends to continue. However, what’s here is so rich, so satisfyingly self-contained within its first arc, that it remains utterly worth the experience. The To Be A King gameplay offers dozens of hours of rich storytelling, strategic decision-making, and yes, very well-crafted adult content from a clear perspective.

To master your start, here’s my actionable advice: Begin with the male protagonist for the most fluid experience. In your first few in-game weeks, focus on boosting your Economy stat. A strong treasury gives you breathing room for everything else. Personally, I always befriend the spymaster character early; the information they provide is invaluable for avoiding political pitfalls and making informed choices that unlock the best relationship paths. Remember, in To Be A King Volume 1, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s the key to passion, alliance, and ultimate survival on the throne.

FAQ

• Can I skip certain scenes?
  Absolutely. The game has a very straightforward skip function that allows you to fast-forward through any content, including adult scenes, without penalty. This is perfect for focusing on the strategy or replaying for different story branches.

• Do I need Patreon for later chapters?
  As of now, only Volume 1 is publicly available and considered a complete experience in itself. The developer has plans for future volumes, but access to any potential early builds or sequels would be through their Patreon. The current game is a full, satisfying standalone story.

• Is it still being updated?
  Volume 1 is a finished product and is not receiving ongoing content updates. The developer’s focus appears to be on future volumes. Think of this as a complete first book in a series—the story within it is whole, but the larger saga continues.

Diving into To Be A King – Volume 1 transformed my gaming nights into epic tales of power, passion, and cunning strategy—managing your Roman empire while nurturing those intense relationships is pure escapism. From political maneuvers to heartfelt harem moments, every choice pulls you deeper into this unpolished yet brilliant world. If the update drought bugs you, remember the depth already here rewards multiple playthroughs. Grab it on itch.io, experiment with choices, and craft your ultimate kingly legacy. What’s your favorite intrigue or conquest so far? Share in the comments and let’s swap strategies—your throne awaits!