The best medieval strategy games

The Middle Ages are one of the most eventful periods in human history. It began with the collapse of the Roman Empire and ended with the Discovery of America. During this time, the Crusades took place, people survived the Norman and Mongol invasions, as well as the Hundred Years' War and the Black Death. Numerous games, including strategy games, are dedicated to the Middle Ages. Learn about the most interesting ones in our article.

This selection is dedicated to projects set in a realistic setting, without elves, dwarves, or dragons. They can not only bring you enjoyment but also allow you to understand what really happened on the European continent from the 5th to the 15th centuries. We wrote about how games help you learn history in separate article.

Like other games in the series, Medieval 2: Total War combines a global turn-based mode with large-scale real-time battles. The game pays close attention to the specifics of the Middle Ages — the influence of the Church, the Crusades, invasions of aggressive tribes, and much more. The choice of country you plan to control directly impacts gameplay. Each faction has its own characteristics, and their strengths and weaknesses will change as you progress and technologically advance. For example, Byzantium is strong early on, but will eventually fall behind its neighbors. Geographic location is also important to consider. During the Mongol invasion, it will be the eastern countries that will be the first to bear the brunt of the nomadic warriors.

A city-building strategy game that lets you build your own settlement in a Late Middle Ages setting. The familiar mechanics of the series in Anno 1404 are slightly modified due to the specifics of the era. In particular, it's important to establish relations with Muslims and ensure an influx of exotic goods from Eastern countries. The game also features a compelling storyline, featuring the Crusades, joint efforts by various countries against pirates, and even simple detective investigations.

Crusader Kings 3 covers the period from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Specific personalities play key roles. The character of local princes, dukes, and kings directly influences the policies of states, their success in economic development, and their success on the battlefield. When building relationships with other countries, dozens of parameters must be considered, from the form of government to religion and cultural specifics. Much attention is also paid to agreements between vassals and overlords, which is especially important in the context of feudal fragmentation.

Age of Empires is a real-time strategy series. Its distinctive features include a gradual transition between eras with the introduction of new buildings and units, as well as a strong balance between economic and military components. The fourth installment is characterized by distinct differences between the individual factions. For example, the Mongols cannot build walls, but they can assemble a huge army and easily move their base to any point on the map. And in Age of Empires 4, the Chinese are allowed to build two landmarks in a single period, giving them a huge advantage over their opponents.

A city-building simulator with a focus on realism. All buildings, characters, and environments look as natural as possible, as if they were historical reconstructions. The game pays close attention to the needs of its citizens, from food and shelter to entertainment and education. It's also important to monitor their health. Well-fed, healthy, and happy settlers will ensure the development of your city, opening up access to new resources and attracting traders with rare goods. Beyond the gameplay, Banished is praised for its rich atmosphere of the harsh Middle Ages.

If you enjoy grand strategy games, but find hardcore titles like the aforementioned Crusader Kings III too complex, try Knights of Honor 2: Sovereign. Understanding the basic mechanics of this game is much easier than in Paradox Interactive games, as you don't have to consider as many parameters. However, there's still depth and scope for a wide variety of tactics. In Sovereign, you can achieve global domination through military force, economic development, or cunning diplomacy. And no one is stopping you from using different approaches to achieve your goals.

The gameplay of Ancestors Legacy is focused on squad-based combat. Base construction is strictly limited—a camp is needed only to recruit new fighters before the next assault. As in the original Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War or the Company of Heroes series, your key objective is to capture and hold resource bases, which are small villages. They provide you with the materials you need to replenish your armies. To win, tactical cunning is essential, such as moving behind enemy lines or retreating at the right time to lure the enemy into a well-prepared ambush.

A remastered version of the classic strategy game with improved graphics and reworked animations. The graphics remain 2D, but they look stylish and don't feel dated. Gameplay-wise, it combines a familiar RTS with real-time battles and a city-building simulator. Stronghold: Definitive Edition places particular emphasis on building castles with towers and high walls, which provide reliable defense against enemy armies.

Knights of the Crusades is sometimes called "the new Total War".The game is dedicated to the first Crusades. Play in global mode on a large map featuring the Holy Land, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. However, the main focus is on large-scale battles that unfold on land and sea. Religious zeal plays a key role in battles; without it, defeating the enemy will be difficult. It's also worth noting that during real-time battles, you can build your own castles and small settlements.

Manor Lords is currently in Early Access. However, this city-building strategy already seems much better than, for example, the latest installment in the The Settlers series. It differs from other games in the genre in its truly vast number of diverse resources, each requiring a lengthy production chain. And the longer you play, the more difficult it becomes to meet the growing demands of your citizens. Furthermore, it's worth preparing for the cold winter and battles with enemies. Manor Lords is clearly designed for genre enthusiasts who won't be put off by such complex and challenging gameplay.

Do you enjoy medieval strategy games? Or do you prefer other eras? Share your thoughts in the comments!