# Minds of Nations — State as a school for souls. > Lead a civilization through history, focusing on soul evolution and societal development. (iPhone/iPad app by Calin Zidaru.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minds-of-nations/id1473675089 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Calin Zidaru](https://appshunter.io/developer/966546032) - Category: Games, Education, Board, Strategy - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 3.53/5 from 66 App Store ratings · 27 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 9+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 142 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2020-02-01 - Data updated: 2026-08-04 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minds-of-nations/id1473675089/reviews.md ## What is Minds of Nations? MMO. Continents without microtransactions are available with limited capacity. STORY After a number of incarnations on Earth and unhappy with the opportunities nations offer souls to grow, our hero, Kanli (you) is offered a chance to .. do better. He will try, over a number of simulations, to build states that survive the hardships of time and scarcity whilst helping as many souls as possible evolve beyond the taints. 13 ideas that we explore in Minds of Nations 1. The Nation as a school for souls You play the custodian of a state through millennia. The nation is both a state in the classical sense, but also a school for souls that are interested in overcoming this plane. You have to consider strength, the material needs of a community and the evolutionary needs the souls that take birth in your realm have. A sluggish state will have them stuck for centuries into the same thoughts, fears and vices. While a weak state may not provide enough bodies or opportunities in life. 2. Religion as the development of methods for transformation, not a popularity contest Incarnated or not, souls generate ideas for you. Ideas are of three types: The first is the spiritual path that your nation discovers. Ascetics tired of the endless cycle of birth-rebirth and desire-aversion, are developing methods for transcending this plane of existence. So they develop the stages of concentration, reflections, prayers, mantras, breathing and other techniques for purifying consciousness. It does not matter how many people adhere to the path your ascetics uncover. It is NOT about having many provinces declaring themselves Catholic, but rather, having a path that frees more persons from the chains of desire, hatred. Having more methods that incorporate different mindsets, that free one from all attachments and bonds. 3. Governance as a collection of answers to communal questions Instead of having broad systems like Communism, Monarchy, or Democracy, you use ideas to answer each individual governance questions like: "Who leads our nation ?" - It can be 1 person, it can be three, it can be a couple, it can be a council.. "How is that person chosen ?" - Leadership can be inherited, elected by others and then you'd have to choose who can elect your leader. Only landowners ? Everyone older than 14 ? We approach every issue of community management in the same way, from economics to the justice system. 4. Effects that change over time 5. Effects that change based ON your production of their associated resources. 6. Algorithms that try to incorporate a bit of realism 7. Technology as a number of general subjects and not as a tech tree 8. Armies have to carry food and soldiers are recruited from the labor force 9. War, lies & propaganda We explore the way politics has been poisoning our mindstream for centuries. Framing reality and spinning half truths into rigid dogma and encouraging us and our ancestors to commit various atrocities. 10. Karmic years & soul cycles We try to incorporate the idea of karma into wars. A nation that attacks will get years added to the time needed for its souls to pass through each independent evolutionary stage. This means that fewer new ideas will appear in your state due to the emotional traumas caused in the conflict. 11. Astral plane management 12. Free-to-play continents, custom wonders, heraldry and more You can fly a banner with custom heraldic elements that are not found in Europe in the Middle Ages. You can also build new wonders - enough with the eiffel tower. Every simulation includes continents that have no microtransactions. 100% free. However, their total capacity is limited. 13. Climate change The game simulates the effect that large, monocultural, agrarian societies have had on the environment.. ## Key features - Nation as a school for souls - Religion as spiritual transformation - Dynamic governance systems - Millennia-spanning gameplay - Resource-based effects - Realistic simulation algorithms - Army logistics and recruitment ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | 208 CyberPoints | $1.99 | one-time | | 99 CyberPoints | $0.99 | one-time | | 548 CyberPoints | $4.99 | one-time | | 910 CyberPoints | $7.99 | one-time | | 1650 CyberPoints | $13.99 | one-time | | 2038 CyberPoints | $16.99 | one-time | | 1920 CyberPoints | $9.99 | one-time | | 2539 CyberPoints | $20.99 | one-time | | 3170 CyberPoints | $25.99 | one-time | | 13365 CyberPoints | $99.99 | one-time | | 4586 CyberPoints | $36.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 27) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/minds-of-nations/id1473675089/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Underrated Game *2025-12-26, version 1.2.100* This game is slightly buggy, it has many visual problems on phone. However, it is singularly my favourite strategy game I’ve ever played. I’ve played many other strategy games such as HOI4 and Civilisation 6. Yet none compare to the calmness and fun of this game. This game is slow paced and it means you must think about your choices before you make them, it has features I’ve never seen in any other games and most importantly it is unique. I love seeing my nation go from a singular state to a giant empire and know that I put the effort in across multiple weeks to make it happen. Both the early and end game are fun and I really think this game has potential if the issues are fixed and it is shown to the right people. ### 1/5 — Worst *2022-09-10, version 1.2.100* Bad game with toxic community ### 5/5 — An Inspired Work of Genius and Passion *2022-03-31, version 1.2.100* This is a work of high art in the making, and a startling exception to the lowest common denominator expectation for mobile games. The creative passion and historical/cultural education behind the game reminds me of Herman Jesse’s The Glass Bead Game. As a cultural scholar, mystic, and artist, I am quite hooked. Yes there are UI issues, but that is to be expected for a beta and an indie work of love. The game remains quite playable and extremely fun for true lovers of deep simulation… hoping the creator never simplifies the depth for those who lack the patience to immerse. I would offer a couple of notes of loving feedback. One, I would suggest that the author’s monotheistic and gnostic biases do show in both the range of options given and their effects. While I appreciate the Eastern-facing scholarship that also suffuses the choices, I would suggest that indigenous and shamanic life ways and beliefs receive short thrift, and polytheistic traditions are downright punished. If the author wishes to make an attempt at a more universalist and open sandbox, I believe this should be corrected before the final draft. It may be necessary to bring in a friend with a depth of study in shamanic, ecological, indigenous, and polytheistic mysticism to properly complement the author’s own expertise. Second issue, in order to play viably in the sandbox, a degree of expansionism and aggression is necessary. Given the nature and soil of the game, it would be nice if a more local and cultural style of play — that is to say, not empire building — was able to be just as valid and “competitive” if in a very different way. This might bear a certain connection to my first point of feedback… A recognition that maybe there are other modes available besides that of the expansionist and generally monotheist state that we—in this era, on this plane—currently take for granted as the modus operandus of statehood. ### 1/5 — Unplayable. Don’t waste your time *2022-02-13, version 1.2.100* Extremely steep learning curve made insurmountable by the garbage UI. I’ve come back multiple times to try and play this game but it’s impossible. I’d like to tell you that the UI is going to be fixed soon but as far as I know it’s never going to get better. ### 2/5 — So and So *2021-11-17, version 1.2.100* It has potential but god the UI is terrible and is super confusing but I can’t wait for single player ### 1/5 — This is the worst, wasting my ducking time *2021-06-13, version 1.2.73* There’s a glitch where it deletes my account and my nations and it’s seriously starting to piss me off it’s happened like 5 times ### 4/5 — UI needs a bit of work *2021-05-25, version 1.2.54.* The UI is in deed the downfall for this game, the concept is amazing and the game play is good to (for the most part) but the UI has so big issues as it’s not adapted for a IPhone(or iPod)screen it may work on a iPad. ### 5/5 — Probably better on PC *2021-04-29, version 1.2.3.* This game seems really cool, but unfortunately on mobile it’s very glitchy. Once, I tried to zoom in on the map, but instead the screen became white. Like another review states, if you can make this game mobile compatible, it would be great. ### 2/5 — Doesn’t work *2021-04-24, version 1.2.3.* Fun I guess if you can play it. Kept getting an error message. ### 1/5 — Single player mode? *2021-02-09, version 1.2.3.* I downloaded and I didn’t realise it doesn’t have single player. Also the tutorial didn’t help so I have zero clue how to play or implement policies it’s just completely unplayable. The time difference for players is annoying also as I’m online and no one else is. Needs serious improvements. Has a lot of potential of being a great strategy game but again I will just stare at the screen confused on what I’m actually doing. ## Frequently asked questions about Minds of Nations ### What is Minds of Nations about? Minds of Nations is a strategy MMO where you act as the custodian of a nation through millennia. The game focuses on balancing the material needs of your community with the spiritual evolution of the souls within your realm. You'll make decisions about governance, religion, and societal development to help souls evolve beyond earthly limitations. ### What are the key features of this game? Key features include viewing the nation as a school for souls, developing religion as a method for transformation rather than popularity, and using ideas to answer specific communal governance questions. The game also incorporates effects that change over time and based on production, realistic simulation algorithms, and unique approaches to technology and warfare. ### Is Minds of Nations free to play? Yes, the game is free to play. However, it mentions that continents without microtransactions are available with limited capacity, implying that some in-app purchases may be available for additional content or features. ### What kind of gameplay can I expect? You can expect a deep, long-term strategy experience. The gameplay involves managing a state through thousands of years, making complex decisions that impact both the physical well-being and the spiritual growth of your population. It explores themes of war, lies, propaganda, and the evolution of consciousness. ### What makes the governance system unique? Instead of relying on pre-defined systems like communism or democracy, the game allows you to build your governance by using ideas to answer specific questions. For example, you decide who leads the nation and how that leader is chosen, creating a highly customizable and unique governmental structure for your state. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.2.100 — 2021-09-07 - fixed effects are back ! ### 1.2.80 — 2021-09-07 Adjustments to metas, small tweaks and other bug fixes: 1. Conquering an unconnected capital now costs 20 Influence with 5 Centralization. The old strategy of conquering far away inactives as soon as the peaceful context ended was back. 2. Conquering a connected capital now costs 10 Influence with 3 Centralization. 3. Idea costs have been increased. Quite significantly for the late stages of a sim. We should not reach thousands of ideas added again. 4. You cannot sell someone else's prestige products. A number of users would move around a single prestige product. Middlemen would earn as much as the creator. This had to stop. 5. Clearing prestige products now requires only 1,000. 6. Clearing a prestige product now yields 1 influence. and more ### 1.2.73 — 2021-06-13 1. ONE NEW MAP ! 2. You can now clear large stockpiles for SOME resources multiple times. 3. Threesold and effects have been adjusted here and there. 4. Cost to raise armies has been increased a hundred fold. 5. Agricultural specialists have been capped at 25,000 land worked. 6. Subsistence agriculture supported by 1 hectare of land has been lowered from 50 base to 10. 7. Food variety rating has been removed as a negative modifier to food consumption. 8. Medicinal variety rating has been added to population growth. 9. More control over unemployment [ Jobs / Services / Educators Level 3 decrease unemployment ]. 10. More control over food-producing land. It can now be increased in [ Jobs / Agriculture ]. 11. Submission has been decreased by default. 12. Submission needed has been increased for Forts / Earthworks. 13. Cost of Forts and Earthworks has been increased significantly. 14. 3 New resources for building wonders: Limestone, Sandstone, Marble. 15. Distribution of stone, limestone and sandstone has been adjusted. 16. You can now only build 1 wonder at a time. Upgradable to 3 via ideas. 17. Spelling fixes. 18. World Rankings link added in the menu bar. 19. Food production from large estates has been increased x10. 20. Elite Corps have been made A LOT more expensive. 21. "Builder" world ranking added: "Most wonders built". 22. "Investor" world ranking added: "Most stockpiles cleared". 23. Costs for level 3 specialists has been increased. 24. Adapting resources has been made more expensive. 25. Improved the layout in the build wonder section for usability and accessiblity. ### 1.2.67. — 2021-06-02 MORE FIXES TO THE BIG RESOURCES+TRADE+JOBS update. - Population loss due to poor infrastructure has been adjusted to reflect small improvements at every infrastructure point. - When demanding provinces in a war, the province name was greyed out in the selection. - Revenues from vassals were not shown in the UI. - Coastal provinces used to cost 4 instead of 3 influence points. - Hero incarnation cost bonus would not be reflected in the UI. - Auto-peace would not work as intended. - Nations were able to build with Gold on credit. - Nations were able to invite non-allies into wars. - Armies had an erroneous message that said that they would disband without more food. - Splitting armies was not working correctly. - Colonizing islands would not cost the correct amount of influence. - Some effects were not working as intended. - Unemployment numbers were wrong. - Subsistence agriculture numbers were wrong. ### 1.2.54. — 2021-05-14 bug fixes for the major expansion ## Apps similar to Minds of Nations | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [CTMayor: City Builder Sim](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ctmayor-city-builder-sim/id1533354734) | 3.7 (40) | Free | Games | | [BC4000: Civilization 4X](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bc4000-civilization-4x/id1524740429) | 4.3 (282) | Free | Games | | [Lawgivers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lawgivers/id1355756132) | 4.7 (364) | $4.99 | Games | | [Mars - the Arrival](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mars-the-arrival/id1458927524) | 4.1 (25) | Free | Games | | [Mother Of All Battles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mother-of-all-battles/id425160860) | 4.4 (126) | Free | Games | | [Lawgivers LITE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lawgivers-lite/id1368324727) | 4.5 (359) | Free | Games | ## More apps by Calin Zidaru - [CyberDunk 2 Basketball Manager](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cyberdunk-2-basketball-manager/id966546033) - [SummaryFeed: Explore Bubbles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/summaryfeed-explore-bubbles/id6755601368) All apps by Calin Zidaru: https://appshunter.io/developer/966546032 ## Related topics [nations states](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nations-states) · [demise of nations](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/demise-of-nations) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-04.*