Top 15 Medieval Games: A Historical Gaming Journey

The Middle Ages—an era brimming with tales of knights, kingdoms, fierce battles, and epic conquests. This period, steeped in both romance and brutality, intrigue and triumphant victories, has long captivated game developers, inspiring them to craft 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 to political intrigue, state management, and the relentless struggle to survive in a bygone era. Prepare to don your armor and immerse yourself in a world governed by the sword and the crown!

Table of Contents

• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Medieval Dynasty
• Manor Lords
• Medieval II: Total War
• Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
• Stronghold Series
• Mount & Blade: Warband
• Bellwright
• Dragon Age: Inquisition
• Dragon’s Dogma 2
• A Plague Tale: Requiem
• Graveyard Keeper
• Foundation
• Banished

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

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Release Date: February 4, 2025
Developer: Warhorse Studios
Download: Steam

For those seeking an immersive medieval experience, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is an excellent choice. The protagonist has matured and grown stronger, but have you evolved since the first installment? The game remains as challenging as ever, with a refined combat system now featuring four strike directions instead of five. Despite the changes, mastering combat remains essential.

New additions include a somewhat cumbersome inventory, the ability to wear multiple outfits simultaneously, and the opportunity to learn blacksmithing, craft potions, and forge weapons. The compelling storyline, rich with dialogue, might not appeal to everyone, but it offers a deep dive into the dark and brutal world of the Middle Ages. I highly recommend playing it to experience the era's intensity.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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Release Date: May 18, 2015
Developer: CD PROJEKT RED
Download: Steam

No list of medieval-themed games would be complete without the legendary The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Embark on a quest to find Ciri, but be prepared for distractions like romantic entanglements, Gwent battles, and numerous side quests. The game's atmosphere is unparalleled, ensuring players remain engaged whether wielding a sword or casting spells. Your choices shape the ending, so pay close attention to dialogues to avoid a disappointing outcome. Enhance your experience with mods from this list.

The crafting system, character progression, and search for better armor, combined with an array of quests, make this a quintessential RPG. Though set in a fantasy world, the medieval ambiance is masterfully portrayed.

Medieval Dynasty

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Release Date: September 23, 2023
Developer: Render Cube
Download: Steam

Ever dreamed of establishing your own medieval village? Medieval Dynasty lets you turn that dream into reality. Beyond simply building, you'll develop your settlement by attracting new residents and expanding your crafting capabilities. Engage in hunting, cooking, or sewing clothes for your community and trade.

Don't neglect your personal life; the protagonist must marry and have a child who will inherit your legacy. Children are born not only to the protagonist but also to other villagers, growing up over several in-game years. As you manage your settlement, time will fly by through farming, quest completion, and hunting.

Manor Lords

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Release Date: April 26, 2024
Developer: Slavic Magic
Download: Steam

Another title where you can build and develop your own settlement, Manor Lords, created by a single developer, gained immense popularity in 2024. A recent update has delighted many players. Not only do you build a village, but you also 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 makes the ruler feel more like a real person. Managing the economy is crucial; mismanagement can lead to a premature end. Learn more about it here.

Medieval II: Total War

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Release Date: November 15, 2006
Developer: CREATIVE ASSEMBLY, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux)
Download: Steam

The renowned Total War series transports players to the Middle Ages, where managing a nation, building cities, and strengthening armies are key to capturing new territories and ensuring prosperity. Choose from Western European or Middle Eastern nations, with 17 factions available, though not all are accessible initially. For your first playthrough, select from Britain, Venice, the Holy Roman Empire, France, or Spain.

Single-player campaigns offer deep strategy, and multiplayer mode allows you to play with friends. The game's terrain and weather systems add complexity to battles, affecting combat dynamics.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

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Release Date: October 25, 2022
Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment
Download: Steam

Set 200 years before its predecessor, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers an improved combat system and a vast game world. Explore, conquer neutral and claimed territories, and build an army by recruiting new warriors. Engage in realistic battles with hundreds of uniquely outfitted units.

Multiplayer mode allows for fierce battles against other players. Beyond combat, the economy is vital; selling grain, managing trade routes, and dealing with fluctuating item prices are essential for success.

Stronghold Series

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Release Dates: 2001 to 2021
Developer: Firefly Studios
Download: Steam

In the Stronghold series, you're not just playing a real-time strategy game; you're also managing a city. Build a castle, finance it, defend it, and conquer other lands. Construct defensive structures, manage the economy, and ensure your citizens are happy. Beware of wolves that can sneak in and wreak havoc!

Beyond castle sieges, you'll face enemy assaults and must manage time and resources effectively, producing weapons and collecting supplies in a timely manner.

Mount & Blade: Warband

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Release Date: March 31, 2010
Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment
Download: Steam

Returning to the Mount & Blade universe, Warband offers a realistic medieval setting that transports you back to the age of knights and crusades. Despite its 2010 release, it provides excellent immersion through its story and environment. You can become a kingdom's ruler, recruit knights, and grant them lands. The combat system emphasizes parrying and blocking, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Warband and Bannerlord share similar concepts and gameplay styles, making them complementary experiences.

Bellwright

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Release Date: April 23, 2024
Developer: Donkey Crew
Download: Steam

Bellwright places you in a world of uprisings and intrigue. Imprisoned for a crime you didn't commit, your mission is to clear your name and lead a revolution against a tyrannical ruler. Build and manage settlements, gather resources, and recruit villagers to your cause, each bringing valuable skills that strengthen your uprising and unlock new technologies.

Success hinges not only on military strength but also on strategic city management. Liberate villages, expand outposts, organize workers, and train elite soldiers. The game offers deep progression, allowing you to choose from a variety of medieval weapons and armor, mastering different fighting styles.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

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Release Date: November 18, 2014
Developer: BioWare
Download: EA

In Dragon Age: Inquisition, a cataclysm has thrown the world into chaos. Dragons terrorize the skies, mages battle their oppressors, and nations clash. As the Inquisitor, you must lead the Inquisition, restore order, and confront the forces of chaos. This classic RPG allows you to level up your character, craft items, complete quests, and explore the world. Side quests are crucial for strengthening the Inquisition's power.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

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Release Date: March 22, 2024
Developer: Capcom
Download: dragonsdogma.com

Dragon's Dogma 2 is a medieval fantasy filled with brave heroes, powerful magic, and mythical creatures drawn from Greek, Egyptian, and Celtic lore. An evil dragon selects a human to become the Arisen every generation, granting immense power but taking their heart. Your quest is to defeat the dragon, reclaim your heart, and save the world.

The expansive open world is four times larger than the first game, packed with points of interest like enemy camps, hidden treasures, and the riddles of the wise 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 look human but lack free will.

A Plague Tale: Requiem

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Release Date: October 17, 2022
Developer: Asobo Studio
Download: Steam

After defeating the Inquisitor, the protagonists—brother, sister, mother, and young alchemist Lucas—flee south to escape destruction and suffering. Though Hugo's mysterious illness has paused, it hasn't vanished, prompting the family to seek alchemical help. When Hugo collapses and sees an island with a magical bird guiding him to a healing lake, the siblings decide to find it at any cost.

The second installment features more expansive, richly detailed locations, though the freedom they offer is somewhat illusory. Stealth, taught alongside alchemist Lucas, is crucial, making the game a delight for those who enjoy memorizing enemy routes and executing careful maneuvers.

Graveyard Keeper

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Release Date: August 15, 2015
Developer: Lazy Bear Games
Download: Steam

In Graveyard Keeper, you assume the role of a graveyard keeper who wakes up in the Middle Ages after a modern-day car accident. The game combines humor with an economic simulator where your goal is to bury people properly and make money. Death is a business opportunity, but the game also weaves in a touching love story and a poignant plot that might bring a tear to your eye.

Foundation

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Release Date: January 31, 2025
Developer: Polymorph Games
Download: Steam

Foundation transports you to medieval Europe, where you build a settlement, keep your people 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, constructing monumental structures, and ensuring citizen well-being.

The game uses "smart brushes" to place structures that meet environmental norms, allowing for visual modifications to save resources.

Banished

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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 developing an isolated medieval society. The economy operates on barter, with no in-game currency; resources have market value and can be exchanged. Your most vital resource is people, and your goal is to prevent population decline while expanding territory.

There are no tech trees or skill lines; you can build any structure you can afford. Gather resources, trade with merchants, and develop industries. Residents can learn up to twenty professions, and you must assign them based on your city's needs. Planning ahead is crucial for success.

This concludes our list of the 15 best medieval-themed games! Spanning various genres, there's something here to captivate every player's interest.