10 Great Medieval Games You Can Play Right Now, Including Manor Lords

The European Middle Ages have always been an era of fascination, especially when it comes to games. This era has inspired some of the best low fantasy gaming and strategy games that have been considered classics for generations. With that in mind, we've put together our own list of excerpts from all eras that might inspire you to pick up a title or two if you're looking for something truly medieval and haunting.

While some of these games are undoubtedly head and shoulders above the rest, this list contains some of the best games that are either set in the Middle Ages (also known as the Middle Ages) or whose worlds and scenarios are inspired by that period.

Crusader Kings series

Crusader Kings remains endlessly entertaining because it incorporates the social dynamics of belonging to medieval society directly into its gameplay. Players take on the role of a leader of one of a dozen real nations that existed in the Middle Ages. How you spend your time as a monarch is entirely up to you. Plan, cajole, woo and manipulate at will.

Describing the mechanics of Crusader Kings can be a bit difficult, as the game is so extensive that the best way to get a feel for the game is to simply play it. It feels almost impossible to ever “finish” a game of Crusader Kings, and I probably never will. But I will never forget being demoted from the position of Duke of York several times, only to be reinstated as Duke of York every two years after the previous Duke and Chancellor of the King of England was poisoned or fell ill. It's fascinating to watch my character evolve from a simple serf to a duke based on politics I honestly didn't understand and alliances I may or may not have made by serving during one of my several terms as Herzog accidentally influenced a change of religion. Crusader Kings encapsulates all the craziness of medieval politics, which is why it's at the top of our list.

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Pentiment is a 2D side-scrolling crime game set in the 16th century. Players take on the roles of two different protagonists, Andreas and Magdalene, who attempt to uncover a series of mysterious murders in the fictional town of Tassing. The game relies heavily on gathering clues to determine the perpetrator of the murder, which is done through conversations with the townspeople and the brothers and sisters of the local abbey.

What sets “Pentiment” apart, aside from the compelling narrative, is its use of artwork that makes you feel like you're immersed in a medieval tome hand-scribbled by a nameless monk. Pentiment is a masterclass in narrative and visual design, and anyone interested in a great story set in the Middle Ages should check it out.

Dragon's Dogma series

A more fantastical take on this period, Dragon's Dogma is the best low fantasy action RPG you can get your hands on today. Dragon's Dogma has all the aesthetic peculiarities of the period, down to the smallest details, including the interface, armor design and in-game illustrations.

It's clear that Capcom did a lot of research to create this delicious low-fantasy setting, as the world is populated by monsters featured in European mythology, right down to the design of the titular dragon, which resembles illustrations, which seem ripped straight from Saint George the Dragon. Players take on the role of the Awakened, a would-be adventurer, or a ruler, depending on the game they are playing, as they search for the dragon that stole their hearts. While the premise is simple, the narrative remains compelling as it is told through environmental design, sparse quests, and NPC dialogue to flesh out this beautiful, medieval-inspired world.

Landlords

Having had the opportunity to play Manor Lords before its release, I was impressed with what the game had to offer. You can design your own experience by either simply founding a village and caring for its residents as a benevolent or malevolent lord, or building your own army to lay claim to territories around your fiefdom. Of course you can do both, but Manor Lords is a light simulation game that allows you to adjust the difficulty to your own preferences. I spent hours planning my village, caring for my villagers, and building a sprawling city connected by roads that traded tanned leather for sheep and oxen. I have managed the economy as any lord would, and am even able to walk through my own realm and enjoy its splendor.

Wartales

Have you always wanted to live in a mercenary band in the Middle Ages? Well, Wartales allows you to live out that very fantasy. You can choose to create your own band of cutthroats or team up with friends as you explore another medieval-inspired scenario where you can take on quests from commoners and lords alike. What makes Wartales so interesting and engaging are the simulation aspects of the game, such as: B. Food and supply management as well as crafts.

While Wartales lacks an overarching narrative, the game is fun to saunter around and will satisfy those looking for a meaty turn-based game to sink their teeth into. Players have complete control over how their band of mercenaries develops, and the small selection of DLC content also lets you run a tavern on the side if you want to give up your adventurous spirit.

Age of Empires series

How could you have a list of games set in the Middle Ages without the Age of Empires series? That would be criminal! This real-time strategy title drops players straight into the Bronze Age, where building their society back to the Middle Ages is crucial to victory – either against other players or against AI-controlled enemies. Aside from the ability to play as the faction of your choice on various maps, with selections from Feudal Japan, the Aztec Empire and the Byzantine Empire, the games also feature unique campaigns loosely based on historical events. While these campaigns aren't particularly exciting, they do provide an interesting look at the history of different time periods. This series of games has remained a classic for a reason and has most likely fascinated an entire generation of gamers with the Middle Ages. It was definitely the case for me!

A plague story series

A more narrative title on this list, the series A Plague Tale is set in the fiefdom of Aquitaine, modern-day France. Players take on the role of Amicia de Rune, whose job is to protect her brother Hugo from the French Inquisition. This is a more fantastical take on the story, as in this game the Black Plague manifests itself as a swarm of rats under Hugo's control.

The first game focuses on Amicia rescuing her brother from the clutches of the Church, while the second game is much more inspired by folk horror and explores the nature of cults in the Middle Ages. This hybrid stealth-horror game more or less exploits the specifics of the time as limitations on the player's weapons and the aesthetics of the time to tell a story about the bond between siblings and the insidious nature of various religious structures. Overall it's a decent piece, but those looking for a more sober depiction of the Middle Ages may be disappointed.

Fear and hunger

This game contains a wealth of content and triggers warnings (including sexual violence, assault, body horror, and more). So search for Fear & Hunger at your own risk. While Fear & Hunger is becoming increasingly popular thanks to numerous YouTube video essays that discuss some of the game's more interesting aspects – particularly the lore and use of religion – this title offers a darker look at the Middle Ages.

You can choose from multiple protagonists, each with their own reason for delving into the oppressive dungeon where you'll spend most of your time battling grotesque monstrosities and cultists who serve ancient gods you can't understand. Combat is turn-based, with players able to focus their attacks on different parts of the body to gain specific advantages over their enemies. What makes Fear & Hunger stand out on this list is its inspired use of the Middle Ages to create a compelling scenario, even if it does feel a little too Berserk-inspired at times. If you're looking for dark fantasy, you'll find it in Fear & Hunger, perhaps at your own risk.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a game for those who want to get involved in warfare and do little else. Although there is an overarching narrative, the game's sole focus is assembling an army and laying siege to castles with a level of historical accuracy that will undoubtedly lead some players into “murder holes.” Players can build different types of siege engines to bring into battle and even accompany their troops into large battles. Everything you do in the game is more or less towards building a larger army, including interacting with NPCs for barter and barter.

And don't worry, if you fall in battle, one of your children can take your place and take control of your army – assuming you had a child for that. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a great combat simulation for anyone who wants to really immerse themselves in battle and the early Middle Ages.

King of the castle

If Crusader Kings is a little too complicated for you, but you love political intrigue and relationship building across generations of potentially inept rulers, King of the Castle is for you.

King of the Castle positions you as the monarch of a fantasy nation where you solve or create problems for your kingdom, the end result of which may end in exile, assassination, or regicide. Unlike Crusader Kings, you won't be competing for power across Europe and parts of Asia, as King of the Castle focuses on managing your unique kingdom. You must keep your people fed, prevent the formation of alliances that could topple you from your throne, and manage trade systems that could benefit your nation. What makes King of the Castle so exciting is the multiplayer component and the Twitch integration that will put you in conflict with your friends or even the audience. King of the Castle also features a beautiful 2D paper doll art style that fits well with the gameplay and atmosphere of the game.

And these are our picks for the ten best games inspired by the Middle Ages! Let us know what your choice is or what you would recommend to your fellow lords, serfs and courtiers!

Kazuma Hashimoto is a freelance writer for IGN.