The Middle Ages—a period steeped in the lore of knights, kingdoms, bloody battles, and grand conquests. This era, brimming with romance and brutality, intrigue and glorious victories, has long captivated game developers. They've crafted immersive worlds where players can embody brave warriors, rule powerful empires, or navigate the complexities of diplomacy.
In this article, we've curated a list of 15 of the best medieval-themed games, each offering unique experiences from large-scale battles and political intrigue to state management and survival in a harsh historical setting. Prepare to don your armor and immerse yourself in an age dominated by the sword and the crown!
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Release Date: February 4, 2025
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Download: Steam
For those seeking a hardcore medieval experience, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an excellent choice. The protagonist has matured and grown stronger since the first installment, but have you? The game retains its challenging nature, though the combat system has been refined, now featuring four strike directions instead of five. Players must still master the art of combat.
New features include a less user-friendly inventory, the ability to wear multiple outfits simultaneously, and the opportunity to learn blacksmithing, craft potions, and forge weapons. The storyline remains compelling, though extensive dialogue might not appeal to everyone. I highly recommend this game for a deep dive into the dark and brutal Middle Ages.
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Release Date: May 18, 2015
Developer: CD PROJEKT RED
Download: Steam
It's impossible to overlook this legendary game in our top list. In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you'll embark on a quest to find Ciri, while getting sidetracked by romantic entanglements, Gwent, minor quests, and helping others.
The game's atmosphere is captivating, ensuring players remain engaged whether wielding a sword or casting spells. Your choices shape the ending, so it's crucial to pay attention to dialogues to avoid disappointment. For an enhanced experience, consider downloading mods from this list.
The crafting system, character progression, the hunt for better armor, and a mix of large and small quests make this a quintessential RPG. Despite its fantasy setting, the medieval ambiance is masterfully portrayed.
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Release Date: September 23, 2023
Developer: Render Cube
Download: Steam
Ever dreamed of founding your own medieval village? Medieval Dynasty offers that chance. Not only do you build a village, but you also develop it by attracting new residents and expanding your crafting capabilities. Activities include hunting, cooking, and sewing clothes for the settlement and for trade.
Don't overlook your personal life; the protagonist must marry and have a child who will eventually inherit your legacy. Children are born to other villagers as well, growing up over several in-game years. As you manage your settlement, time flies by with farming, quest completion, and hunting.
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Release Date: April 26, 2024
Developer: Slavic Magic
Download: Steam
Another game where you can build and develop your own settlement, Manor Lords was created by a single developer and became a sensation in 2024. A recent update has thrilled many players.
In addition to village construction, you'll engage in battles to capture or defend land, adding excitement and depth to the gameplay.
The graphics are stunning, and the ability to control a character adds a personal touch. Your ruler feels more real as you can see and control them, making exploration of your holdings more engaging.
Economic management is crucial; mismanagement can lead to an early end. For more details, you can read here.
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Release Date: November 15, 2006
Developer: CREATIVE ASSEMBLY, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux)
Download: Steam
This renowned series transports players to the Middle Ages, where you manage a nation, build cities, and strengthen armies to conquer territories and ensure prosperity.
Choose from Western European and Middle Eastern nations, with 17 factions available, though not all are immediately accessible. For your first playthrough, select from Britain, Venice, the Holy Roman Empire, France, or Spain.
Single-player campaigns are available, and multiplayer mode allows you to play with friends. The developers have added terrain and weather systems to keep battles dynamic, influencing combat outcomes.
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Release Date: October 25, 2022
Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment
Download: Steam
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is an RPG set 200 years before the original game, featuring an enhanced combat system and an expanded world.
To progress, explore the vast world, conquering neutral and claimed territories. Build your army by recruiting warriors and lead them in realistic battles. The game includes hundreds of units with unique classes, customizable with various weapons, armor, and horses.
Multiplayer mode offers fierce battles against other players. Beyond combat, the economy is vital; sell grain for profit, monitor feudal economy stats, clear trade routes of bandits, and resell items to earn currency.
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Release Dates: 2001 to 2021
Developer: Firefly Studios
Download: Steam
"The people hate you, my lord!" This playful quote sets the tone for Stronghold, a real-time strategy and city-building game. Players must build and finance a castle, defend it, and conquer other lands. Construct defensive structures, develop the economy, and ensure your citizens' happiness. Don't forget to watch out for wolves that can sneak in and wreak havoc!
Beyond castle sieges, you'll repel enemy assaults, manage resources, and produce weapons efficiently.
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Release Date: March 31, 2010
Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment
Download: Steam
Returning to the Mount & Blade series, Warband offers a realistic medieval setting with immersive environments that transport you to the age of knights and crusades. Despite its 2010 release, it remains a compelling experience.
You can become a kingdom's ruler, recruiting knights and granting them lands. The combat system emphasizes parrying and blocking, enhancing the realism.
Warband and Bannerlord share similar concepts and gameplay styles.
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Release Date: April 23, 2024
Developer: Donkey Crew
Download: Steam
Bellwright plunges players into a world of uprisings and intrigue. Imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit, you must clear your name and lead a revolution against a tyrannical ruler.
Build and manage settlements, gather resources, and recruit villagers with valuable skills to strengthen your uprising and unlock new technologies. Victory requires not just military might but also strategic city management.
Liberate villages, expand outposts, organize workers, and train elite soldiers. The game offers deep progression, allowing you to choose from various medieval weapons and armor, mastering different fighting styles.
Image: vk.com
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Developer: BioWare
Download: EA
A cataclysm has thrown these vast lands into chaos. Dragons darken the sky, mages battle their oppressors, the Templars, and nations clash. As the Inquisitor, you must lead the Inquisition, restore order, and confront the forces of chaos.
This classic RPG involves character leveling, crafting, questing, and world exploration. Don't overlook side quests, which bolster the Inquisition's power.
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Release Date: March 22, 2024
Developer: Capcom
Download: dragonsdogma.com
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a traditional medieval fantasy, featuring brave heroes, powerful magic, and terrifying creatures from various mythologies. An evil dragon selects a human to become the Arisen every generation, granting immense power but taking their heart.
Your mission is to defeat the dragon, reclaim your heart, and save the world. The open world is vast, four times larger than the first game, filled with points of interest from enemy camps to hidden treasures and the riddles of the Sphinx.
Grappling is a key gameplay mechanic, allowing the protagonist to grab onto objects or creatures. The unique companion system involves summoning "pawns," beings from another realm who lack free will.
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Release Date: October 17, 2022
Developer: Asobo Studio
Download: Steam
After defeating the Inquisitor, the protagonists flee south to escape destruction. Hugo's mysterious illness has paused but not vanished, prompting the family to seek alchemists' help. Hugo's vision of an island with a magical bird leads them on a quest for healing.
The sequel features more expansive locations, though the freedom is somewhat illusory. Stealth, taught alongside alchemist Lucas, is crucial. Stealth enthusiasts will enjoy memorizing enemy routes, scanning locations, and timing their moves to avoid detection.
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Release Date: August 15, 2015
Developer: Lazy Bear Games
Download: Steam
In Graveyard Keeper, you play a modern-day individual transported to the Middle Ages after a car accident. Your role is to manage a graveyard, turning death into a business opportunity.
Despite the economic focus, the game includes a love story and a poignant plot that might evoke emotion. Prepare for humor and a unique take on medieval life.
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Release Date: January 31, 2025
Developer: Polymorph Games
Download: Steam
Foundation is a city-building simulator set in the medieval era, where you construct a settlement, keep citizens happy with unique buildings, and learn about medieval architecture amidst religious rivalries.
As a ruler of a small settlement, your goal is to expand it into a thriving city by managing resources, building monumental structures, and ensuring citizen well-being. Use "smart brushes" to place structures that meet environmental norms, and visually modify them to save resources.
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Release Date: February 18, 2014
Developer: Shining Rock Software
Download: Steam
Banished is a city-building simulator with strategic elements, focusing on resource management and the development of an isolated medieval society.
The economy operates on barter, with no in-game currency. Your most vital resource is people; your goal is to expand while preventing population decline. Hunger and despair can lead to death.
There are no tech trees or skill lines; you can build any affordable structure. Gather resources, trade with merchants, and develop industries. Residents can learn up to twenty professions, requiring strategic planning to meet your city's needs.
That concludes our list of the 15 best medieval-themed games! Spanning various genres, we're confident you'll find something to spark your interest.