Bright Ideas in the Dark Ages

The medieval period is a great place to set a game, as many of these titles can prove, and what better type of game than the strategy genre? Build yourself a fort as we explore the best medieval strategy games for PC.

 

25. Knights of Honor (2004)

Knights of Honor is a large scale RTS with a focus city management. You select one out of a hundred factions, and build your empire from there. The game revolves around raising armies, but you need more than just food and gold to do that. Piety (or political influence) and books (just books) form two of the three main resources you’ll need to manage. Piety, to keep your people and friendly nations happy, and books, to improve literacy. You can’t have knights who don’t know how to read your orders after all.

Knights of Honor came out during an RTS boom, and during this wave of both innovation and poor imitation Knights of Honor is one of those games that innovated. In 2019 a sequel was announced, which looks promising. It might be showing its age, especially next to other games of a similar to newer era, but is a must play for anyone who considers themselves a hardcore RTS/RTT fan.

 

24. Gladiator Guild Manager (2020)

Gladiator Guild Manager is a party management RPG developed by Entertainment Forge. You are in charge of managing a guild of gladiators that you must recruit, upgrade and set to battle in arena combat. Take your guild from humble beginnings to fame and glory!

With the ability to control certain unites to help as the battle unfolds and a focus on your party, making them work together effectively, Gladiator Guild Manager is a strategy game with a tactical focus. The cartoon art style mixed with the fantasy medieval setting makes this game stand out as a must play.

 

23. Stronghold 2: Steam Edition (2005/2017)

Stronghold 2 is a classic RTS set in the early Middle Ages. You are a lord, and must build up your stronghold castle to last the decades and centuries. Much of the gameplay is manging your court, planning events and organising the peasant workers. There are many souls that help run this stronghold, and you must manage all of them.

Your castle feels alive as every aspect of life is represented both visually and mechanically. This is an in-depth kind of experience you only get from indie studios these days. The Steam edition gives the graphics a little touching up, and is the best way to enjoy this classic right now.

 

22. Blood of Steel (2020)

Blood of Steel is a MMO strategy game with third person hack and slash combat. Select out of dozens of historical figures as your hero, from Julius Caesar to Joan of Arc to Leonidas, and lead your troops into battle! There are several game modes, including sieges, pitch battles and naval assaults.

The third person combat is similar to a hack and slasher, with a strategic intent. Positioning and other tactical considerations are very important so don’t expect to fight your way out of this with your hero alone. It’s free to play, so try it out.

 

21. Battle Brothers (2015)

Battle Brothers turn-based RPG with a focus on tactics and party management. You are in charge of a rag tag group of mercenaries who need to survive the hard life of the fantasy medieval world. Accept your own contracts, and forge your own destiny with procedurally generated quests in the open world.

The combat of Battle Brothers is tight and tactical in its isometric presentation, providing a real challenge at times. You must upgrade and equip your party appropriately. The art style is reminiscent of turn-based RPGs of old, while remaining unique and adds to the open world’s feeling of scale. 

 

20. Ancestors Legacy (2018)

Ancestors Legacy is a Viking focused medieval RTS with brutal combat. There are various nations at war, and you must lead yours to glory! The gameplay has a focus on movement, tactics and soldier moral, giving any player an engaging challenge.

The animation of the brutal mele and deadly skirmishing sets this game apart. You feel the weight of every encounter, and is the refinement of what makes the RTS so great. Go play it now! 

 

19. The Guild: Gold Edition (2005)

The Guild is a political and city management simulation with RTS combat. The Guild: Gold Edition is a combination release of Europa 1400: The Guild and the Trade, Greediness and Intrigue expansion. You are at the head of a wealthy European Dynasty near the end of the medieval period. You must take your family to greatness at the dawn of the renaissance. 

A ground breaking game for the time, The Guild: Golden Edition holds up for any RTS or city sim fans, and is a strategy game on every level. From politics to military might to economic domination, it encompasses every meaning of the word strategy! 

 

18. Becastled (2021)

Becastled is a base building tower defence game. You’ve heard of Besieged, yeah? Well, this is the same idea, in reverse. Developed by Mana Potion Studios and still in Early Access, this will be one to watch if you are not immediately swayed. 

The gameplay is a nice combination of cartoony and challenging. The fantasy setting is charming, but becomes terrifying as you are attacked from all sides! Help your castle withstand the onslaught.

 

17. Medieval Kingdom Wars (2017)

Medieval Kingdom Wars is an indie grand strategy, RTS and city management sim. This is the peak of the Middle Ages; politics is tense and war is the language of the day. Constant war takes a toll, and managing that toll is a central concern of this game.

You start at the offset of the 100 Year War, and must lead your kingdom to prosperity. Constant expansion will cause other problems down the line, but a lack of ambition will lead to your doom. Choose wisely and you will prevail.

 

16. Battle Realms (2001)

Battle Realms is a RTS game set in a fantasy feudal land. Inspired by mythology from around East Asia, you select one of three clans, each with their own campaign. Considered one of the best RTSs of the time there is a remake currently in Early Access on Steam; Battle Realms: Zen Edition.

The original Battle Realms has aged, but I would argue like a cheese. It’s not the aged wine of Age of Empires 2. It’s not the aged milk of EverQuest. It has aged like cheese. It might be old, but a refined pallet will still appreciate it.

 

15. Going Medieval (2020)

Going Medieval is an indie city management sim. You are the lord of a feudal estate. A plague has destroyed your land. You must rebuild it. Your people need you now more than ever! Fields need attending, gates need guarding and it is all up to you. Are you up for the task?

This game is still in Early Access, but show plenty of promise being loads of fun in its current state. There is depth in how you look after your castle, and you will have to think three steps ahead. There is prosperity in your future if you can keep surviving.

 

14. Lord of The Rings: Battle for Middle Earth 2 (2006)

Lord of The Rings: Battle for Middle Earth 2 is a RTS based on the world of Tolkien and taking specific inspiration from Peter Jackson’s film interpretation. One of the best Middle Earth games ever made you choose between a good and evil campaign, with six factions available in the domination campaign of The Rise of the Witch King expansion. 

This is the RTS that solidified my love of the genre, and is a stellar example of what makes the RTS genre so great. Tight combat with inter-factional rock-paper-scissors balancing, meaning strategy is the only thing really between you and total victory! Look out for Golam, because once you get the One Ring you become OP.

 

13. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator (2021)

Totally Accurate Battle Simulator is a goofy combat simulator game. Spend gold on units and have them battle the AI, with full campaigns, unique takes on classic ideas and a great sense of humor about itself, TABS has endless re-playability.

I love TABS, and although not strictly a medieval game, the majority of the units are based on mediaeval warfare so I say it counts. If you like strategy and want a silly yet challenging experience, give TABS a try!

 

12. Northgard (2018)

Northgard is a strategy and colony sim game with RTS combat. You control a group of Vikings, who recently discovered a new continent. Your job is to set up a new home, and fight those who do not want you there. 

The Viking theme mixed with the charming art style lends itself the idea that you are building a new home. Now you have all the more desire to defend it. Set up your new town, and prepare for war. Are you up the challenge?

 

11. Besiege (2015)

Besiege is a physics-based vehicle building and obstacle destroying sim. You are given an objective to destroy and the tools to create a great siege machine. I’m sure you know what should happen from there. 

The re-playability is near endless as you think up new way to annihilate what stands in your way! This is a brilliant little game, perfect for wasting time but can present you with a real challenge. Load it up and start inventing new machines of destruction.

 

10. Wartales (2022)

Wartales is an open world RPG with turn-based combat. You are a band of mercenaries out to make your fortune, fight and live to tell the tale. The isometric presentation is both beautiful and works well with the combat mechanics. Each encounter is a dance of movement, attacks and tactics.

Despite being in Early Access Wartales is a very impressive game, and with even more to come, it is definitely worth getting if you like the turn-based genre. Build your unique party, and have crazy adventures!

 

9. Old World (2022)

Old World is a grand strategy RTS and RTT game set during the golden age one of several great empires. You chose out of a couple great countries and take that nation to the true peak of its glory, and venture beyond what the history books say to forge your own, even greater path.

The grand campaign focuses on scale, giving the player the experience of managing many provinces, each with their own needs, that form the boundaries of your empire. You must be a governor, a general and a diplomat all at once if you are to survive these hard times.

 

8. Yes, Your Grace (2020)

Yes, Your Grace is a role-playing strategy game. You are the king of a medieval castle, and many issues require your attention, from important political decisions to small court rumors, you will have to navigate them all. The majority of the gameplay consists of being presented with choices and having to decide which to go with. And all choices have consequences. 

Sit in your throne and receive visitors who will present you with their problems. Your people are so demanding. The hardest part of your job must be managing your family who come with their own desires and problems. The pixel graphics are lovingly animated, and every corner of your castle feels alive.

 

7. Expeditions: Viking (2017)

Expeditions: Viking is a turn-based RPG about a new chieftain who sets off with a band of loyal Viking warriors to find a new place to call home. At this new home you will have to fight, as you discover that there are others who do not like that you have come.

Logic Arts have created an in-depth party system, allowing you customize, upgrade and get attached to your clan members. You really feel like a chieftain leading the charge, and the turn-based combat in a 3D arena with a tactical focus makes you feel like a very clever chieftain indeed.

 

6. Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord (2020)

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is an open world strategic RPG. You are an unknown wonderer, and must take your fortune into your own hands. Start as a humble sword for hire, work your way all the way up to becoming a lord. This is a game for anyone who wants a real rags-to-riches journey with large scale battles in-between.

The tactical capability is the best yet, and allows for innovation in victory. Not only can you customize your entire warband, but build them around your desired martial focus. There is tactical depth to a game that is focused on third person combat and larger resource management that is not found in other tactically driven games. Definitely recommend his to anyone.

 

5. Total War: Medieval 2 (2006)

Total War: Medieval 2 is a turn-based grand strategy and RTT game developed by Creative Assembly. You will be focused on managing and building up your cities and armies, preparing for war. Will you use diplomacy or military might to get your way?

Pick your nation and take it from there! The battles are fought in real time (I mean, you can auto-resolve them, but why would you?) on a fully 3D tactical map. They are long, gritty and require great tactical consideration. Morale is vitally important, so don’t get surrounded.

 

4. Crusader Kings 3 (2020)

Crusader Kings 3 is a grand strategy political sim. This game has a strict focus on politics and economic management, all in the name of expansion. Your line must prevail, and your family lineage will be remembered throughout the ages!

The level of detail this game has is astounding. You can create truly unique royal families, and has a vast amount of role-play potential. What kind of a ruler are you? This game allows you to be that, and shape your linage around the choices you make.

 

3. Age of Empires 2 (1999)

Age of Empires II is the RTS that defines the RTS genre. The Definitive Edition release on Steam is the version for the modern gamer, and is the best way to get this game now. Take control of your empire and march your soldiers to victory! 

The mechanics might have aged slightly, with other entries on this list refining elements of the RTS genre, but there is something to the simpler formula that reminds us what makes the RTS great! If you have not, do yourself a favour and play this game!

 

2. Fields of Glory 2: Medieval (2021)

Fields of Glory 2: Medieval is a battle strategy and turn-based tactics game. It has a focus on historical accuracy and attempts to simulate the combat matching of various nations’ equipment and training in a turn-based 3D environment. Movement and moral are important considerations, and is a great marriage of tactics and strategy.

The engagement system is tough, with every move you make requiring careful consideration. The turn-based nature and small unit sizes gives this game a slightly retro feel, along with that retro difficulty! Any strategy head will love this game.

 

1. Total War: Shogun 2 (2011)

Total War: Shogun 2 is a grand strategy and RTT game set in feudal Japan during Sengoku period. You pick one of several Japanese clans who are scrambling for dominance after the influence of the current Shogun has diminished. Take your clan to glory and claim the throne for yourself!

Shogun 2 has some of the best real time tactical combat out of any strategy game I have ever played. It may have aged a little, but the insanely fast mele combat and the devastation of a unit’s moral breaking make this a tactical challenge that holds up to this day. A must play for any fan of the strategy genre.

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