I have played this game for many years, since 2019, it has had many ups and downs but all in all I think it is a good rp game, as cringe as rp might be. I would suggest to anyone looking to play this game that they play the browser version at respublica.co, it's better in my opinion, that's where all my playtime is.
As for a proper review about the game itself, it's enjoyable, you run for a political office, you hopefully win said office, and then you serve the office dutifully, I guess.
There are eight nations in Respublica, I will speak on them a little bit below, but I suggest you pick only one to start with. You're allowed to have one main account, and an unlimited amount of sub accounts, so you're able to play in every nation, however, there's so much going on and to take account of, I'd suggest playing on only one to start with.
1. United States - The most popular nation among players, maybe it's just my bias, but it's very enjoyable, especially for someone like me with an appreciation for American civics, I understand the purpose of the offices and can enjoy rping as them. However, I will admit this nation could be hard to start on for newer players, the Senate and House can be hard to break into, and they don't have the playerbase to do state houses and senates, so the barrier for entry and be hard unless you are lucky to find an uncontested seat.
2. United Kingdom - Probably the second most popular nation among players, but I would also characterize it as the hardest nation to play on. The House of Lords is chill if you can get yourself appointed, but that's very difficult. On the flip side, the elected Commons is a violent mess, pretty fun, but not exactly a good first experience.
3. Germany - This is a good nation to start with, there's enough players to make it interesting, the Bundestag is good to start out in, due to the nature of the elections, or at least how the elections are simulated, even if you don't win a majority, you still get seats, so it is forgiving when you start.
4. France - France is similar to Germany, good for new players, for all the same reasons. Also I favor France over Germany because the Presidential elections feel more unique, at least to an American player, compared to Germany's Chancellor. It's a good first option.
5. China - It doesn't have as many players as other servers, it's not the worst to start with, but it's not the best either. You can have other parties which isn't very realistic, however those parties don't have the same rights as the CCP, so expect to join the CCP or be at a major disadvantage. I am proud to say I have never kissed the ring and never joined the CCP, (even if I did I'd be CCP in name only,) but be warned, if you're not in the CCP your political outlook is maybe passing some legislation here and there if you have an election with less commies than normal, but your future is bleak.
6. Russia - Less popular than France or Germany, but I think a really good first pick, albeit less corrupt than IRL, so maybe a tad bit unrealistic. The Duma is not too hard to start out with, & whilst the Senate is by appointment, you get appointed by Governors, so it's easy to get a friend to put you into a Senate seat, if you can get a friend. Also, bonus points for Russia, the Governors actually effect something, which isn't true with America because no state politics. :(
7. Australia - In theory it's alright, but a little harder than France or Germany, also more dead. There's better options to start with, although it's fine if you have an attachment to Australia.
8. Canada - Kinda boring, if you want a parliamentary system just play the UK, Canada is just the UK but worse. It's not a very good starting choice, and it's also the most dead nation, not a lot of activity.
Cons of Respublica. There are two big cons that come up within the community, I will try to go over them as unbiased as possible.
1. Stock Market - The stock market is a feature that was added some years ago, part way into the lifespan of Respublica, I'm not much of an insider trader IRL so I can't speak to how realistic it is, however, depending on your opinions on government corruption, you might argue that it is at least realistic in that politicians make a lotta dough.
The big problem that veteran players site is that the money is too easy, everyone is rich enough now to have plenty of money to waste, it isn't so much about realism, but rather worse gameplay. As a veteran player myself, I would say it's not all black and white, things were different before the stock market, but they were equally unfair in other ways. Before the markets, the people who won elections were those who had bigger, or maxed donor bases, so instead of an advantage of who could abuse stocks, it was an advantage of who simply had more playtime. Really, the addition of stock markets was a trade off, negative to some, although to others they might like it, experience players who don't have five years of playtime and maxed out donor bases are able to not be crushed as they would before.
Basically, the game isn't as much about resource management anymore, or having a massive advantage based on playtime, rather getting resources is being a rat and gaming the markets. If everyone is filthy rich, no one is, so some people see it as less about resources and more and politics, since everyone has a ton of resources.
All I can say is try it for yourself, some people hate the stock market, maybe you'll like it, who knows.
2. Friends too OP? - Unlike the first critique of Respublica which has good arguments on both sides, this one doesn't hold much water. So there is a "mafia" or "syndicate" or "cabal" of players who control a lot of the game, it is often seen as a negative that a majority of people can band together and impose their political will onto the minority. It is true that there is a group which I am not a part of which holds a lot of power in this political RP game, however, it's always been like that.
This is just how the game is, this is what politics is. A group of people come together and rule a country by majority support, that's the point. Sure, there's currently a "cabal" of people, but before them was another "cabal," and before them another group, on and on to ad nauseam. That's just what politics is, in game, IRL, doesn't matter, make friends, build alliances, rule the nation. Get it, got it? Good.
These cons are just aspects of the game which are commonly seen as negative by the community, but there's also reasons why you might like these "cons," as with everything, you just gotta try it and form your own opinion.
All in all, it's a good game in my opinion, 8/10, decently replayable, just log in once a day, or every couple days. Remember, use respublica.co, NOT steam.
