Games like Age of Empires II, Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance are all set in the Middle Ages. In fact, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Gothic periods come up as settings in video games surprisingly often. This in itself can lure people in, but some games show their dedication to the time period through more than just their scenery.
Often, when people think of the word "medieval", images of knights, castles, alchemy, battles, and plagues instantly come to mind. When gameplay focuses on one or more of these elements, players can be immersed in an era very different from their own. These are some of the best games inspired by the Middle Ages.
12 Kingdom & Kingdom: New Lands
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Linux, Classic macOS
Kingdom and its sequels are strategy and resource management games in which players control a king or queen. This 2D sidescroller lets players explore, build, defend, and conquer the islands they land on. Players can recruit commoners, promote subjects to knights, upgrade their castles, and fight off dark enemies. This pixel art game also lets players explore forests and expand their kingdom until a boat is built to send them to the next island, where they repeat the entire process.
11 Dark Souls & Dark Souls 3
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5
From Soft's Dark Souls games take place in the kingdom of Lordran and are all combat-heavy games. They have many options for weapons, armor, and magic, making the game customizable to just about any play style. Players must learn from their past mistakes to advance and discover the story of their undead character. The Dark Souls universe encourages exploration with multiple zones that are all interconnected in one large world and allows for teleportation to bonfire checkpoints.
10 Assassin's Creed
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series
The Assassin's Creed franchise is full of action-adventure games focused on stealth, parkour, and combat. In the first one, the open-world map is based on a region of the medieval Middle East. As a member of the Order of Assassins, players must traverse the landscape and fight against Templars if they are to survive the age-old fight between the two warring factions. The game melds history with the fantasy, creating a fictional universe while mixing in real historical people and events.
9 Graveyard Keeper
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android
Graveyard Keeper is a management simulator with a medieval setting. Players can build, manage, and upgrade their graveyard, church, and garden. From crafting and selling items, to dissecting the dead, resurrecting zombies, and creating potions, Graveyard Keeper offers many options for gameplay. NPCs provide quests and DLCs are available for more content. The game has similarities to Animal Crossing, but with a spooky twist.
8 For Honor
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
For Honor is an action-packed fighting game set in a fantasy version of the Middle Ages. This game offers intricate combat mechanics to be used in both campaign and PvP modes. Players can choose from a variety of historical warriors spanning five factions. Every character has their own unique weapons, traits, and fighting techniques, while different character matchups ensure varying advantages and disadvantages between battles.
7 Dragon Age: Inquisition
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Dragon Age: Inquisition is an action RPG game in which players control the Inquisitor, savior of Thedas. Factions must use strategic combat to fight not only demonic invasion, but also other factions. The world is large, detailed, and a perfect place for exploring. With a narrative influenced by the player's choices, the map and events change dynamically based on these decisions, making for a unique experience every time.
6 Yes, Your Grace
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Yes, Your Grace is a kingdom management RPG in which players control King Eryk of Davern. This game is based on Slavic folklore with fictional elements such as magic and monsters. Between helping commoners, befriending lords, regulating supplies, and taking care of the royal family, Yes, Your Grace is a game of choices. Something as simple as a decision to throw a thief in jail could make a difference down the line.
5 Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an action RPG and the fifth game in the Elder Scrolls series. It takes place in Skyrim, the northernmost area of Tamriel. The Dragonborn must develop their skills, complete quests, and explore the open-world environment to progress. NPCs can be talked to, fought, or even hired as companions. In cities, players can join factions or acquire jobs. With many character options to choose from, the game offers ample opportunities for players to carve their own paths.
4 The Witcher 2: Assassin's of Kings & The Witcher 3
Platforms: Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
The Witcher franchise is made up of action RPG games based in a fictional medieval world that's based on Slavic myths. The main character is Geralt of Rivia, who is a Witcher, meaning that he possesses supernatural powers that are used to fight monsters. NPCs and quests send Geralt around the map to collect weapons, upgrade magic, and buy weapons. Morality lies in a grey area, and the ending of the game varies depending on the choices players make throughout their playthrough.
3 Darkest Dungeon
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Darkest Dungeon is a roguelike RPG. The gothic adventure has players recruit and train a team of heroes. Fight terrifying monsters, manage stress and disease, and avoid the all-consuming darkness. While participating in turn-based combat, players explore a variety of procedurally-generated locations from crypts to forests. All the while, victories and failures are narrated, and run-throughs of the game offer the opportunity to try new strategies for success.
2 Potion Craft
Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Potion Craft is an indie sandbox-style alchemy simulator. Based on medieval medicine and books, players use tools and ingredients to brew potions. Invent and upgrade recipes, run the shop, and tend to customers. Experimentation is key to succeeding in this game. Players can decide who to sell to and which people to help (or not). This lets them decide what type of character they want to be and what moral path they will take.
1 Warhammer: Vermintide 2
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is a combat action game with four-person co-op. Players can choose between five different characters and climb their skill ladders to make them better prepared for bloody fights against hordes of foes. There is also a multitude of weapons and talent trees to discover. Once fully armed, players can explore war-destroyed levels and destroy waves of enemies with relative ease.