Highlights

• Medieval fantasy games dominate, but there's a shortage of realistic medieval history games without fantasy elements. Disappointing.
• Games catering to history buffs and sword and sorcery fans are becoming more common, offering a variety of choices for players.
• Titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Chivalry 2, and Jeanne d'Arc cater to fans of medieval history with immersive gameplay experiences.

There is never a shortage of fantasy games inspired by medieval history and settings. Whether it is Final Fantasy 16, World of Warcraft, or The Witcher games, fans have a lot of choices when it comes to medieval fantasy games that cover a range of genres. It is somewhat surprising and disappointing that there is a shortage of games based on or around medieval history and time settings that do away with the fantasy elements altogether.

When it comes to entertainment mediums, most fans are not expecting perfect historical accuracy, but having a variety of choices for those looking for something more realistic should have options. Thankfully, games are catering to history buffs and sword and sorcery fans.

Updated March 26, 2024, by Michael Llewellyn: Like movies and books, video games can take players back in time through the use of historical fiction. Games can place fans in the shoes of an adventurer, soldier, general, and more in various genres that all take place in human history, and let those players experience a small slice of life from generations past. The scope is rich for video game adaptations and this list includes some of the best that fans of medieval history will appreciate. This list has been updated to include more games that fit this description.

19 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla

An Epic Viking Adventure Across Medieval Britain

Assassin's Creed Valhalla swerves as the conclusion to the Origins saga - Assassin's Creed Origins and Assassin's Creed Odyssey. It puts players in the shoes of Eivor, a Viking that can be male or female with stellar performances from the voice actors.

The game recreates iconic sieges and battles, with the Siege of Paris DLC being a particular standout. Assassin's Creed Valhalla follows a similar timeline to the TV shows The Last Kingdom and Vikings. Fans of those shows will enjoy the journey of this entry in the Creed series, even if it does suffer from padding and endless collectibles.

18 Chivalry 2

A Brutal Online Medieval Battler

Chivalry 2 is an online multiplayer where players can fight it out in massive battles for up to 64 players at a time. It's a refreshing take on large-scale online warfare where players can get up close and personal. The combat is more arcade-like than simulation, and it is a style that works perfectly in the format.

After getting killed, players will respawn and get thrust back into the action as a defender of a castle/fort or an attacker. Players can fight on foot or horseback with jousting battles or swinging a sword.

17 Jeanne d'Arc

Fantasy Medieval Tactics Based On Joan Of Arc

Jeanne d'Arc is a tactical RPG still hailed as one of the best titles on the PSP. It melds real-life history set during the Hundred Years' War in the 15th century with fantasy and magical elements. In terms of its narrative and storytelling, it is anime-like, with its demons, magic, and melodrama. However, the setting will appeal to fans of history and adaptations of historical events surrounding Joan of Arc.

It puts a different spin on Joan's real-life story as she is guided by voices from the heavens to fight back against the English after they burned down her village. The tactical gameplay is reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics and Triangle Strategy, with turn-based battles fought on a grid. There is an element of rock, paper, and scissors to the gameplay with its implementation of Sol, Luna, and Stella. These mechanics get more interesting as the story progresses and battles get more challenging.

16 For Honor

Medieval Combat Pitting Styles From All Over The World Against Each Other

If players ever wanted to find out who would win in a fight between a Samurai Warrior and a medieval European Knight, then For Honor is the closest one can get. Released in 2017, the online fighter has become a major hit for Ubisoft, and fans have access to a wealth of content released over the years.

Now, players can choose from Vikings, Ninjas, Gladiators, Pirates, and more. The combat is based on deflections and timing, and those going into fights without mastering the tutorials in For Honor first will quickly find that it is no ordinary fighting game. For Honor is a cinematic, technical, and surprisingly well-balanced game with varied fighting styles.

15 Medieval 2: Total War

Deep But Accessible Strategy Game In The Total War Series

Released in 2006, Medieval 2: Total War looks more dated than the recent hits in the Total War franchise. However, in its depth, gameplay, and medieval lore, Medieval 2 stands the test of time. The scale and scope of the battles on screen can pull players into the brutality of warfare, as they watch their tactics unfold on the screen.

Moreover, thanks to its age, it is also one of the most easily accessible games available on Android and older PCs. Years later, Medieval 2: Total War is still among the greatest grand strategy games fans of medieval history can play.

14 Crusader Kings 3

Deep And Rewarding Grand Strategy

Released in 2020 on PC, Crusader Kings 3 marks the first time the series has landed on consoles. Thanks to the loading speeds of current-gen hardware, console players can finally experience one of the deepest strategy games in years.

The developers at Paradox Development Studio have done an admirable job of getting the game to work on a controller without sacrificing depth. It is a game that can last players forever as Crusader Kings 3 is designed to play as a dynamic and reactive experience. As with most grand strategy games, the mechanics can be intimidating, but the rewarding gameplay makes it worth the steep learning curve.

13 Ancestors Legacy

Real-Time Strategy Chronicling The British Conflicts With The Danes

• Released: May 22, 2018
• Developer: Destructive Creations
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One

First released in 2018 for the PC and in 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Switch, and Xbox One. It is a real-time strategy game with similar mechanics to the Command & Conquer series.

Ancestors Legacy lets gamers play as the Anglo-Saxons during the events of 1066. The Viking campaign is set in 793, chronicling their first raid on the Lindisfarne Monastery, with the second part set in 892. Additionally, there are campaigns where gamers can play from the perspectives of the Slavs and Teutons.

12 Crusader Kings 2

Grand Strategy Covering 1066 To The 15th Century

Released in 2012 for the PC, Crusader Kings 2 is a grand strategy game set between 1066 and 1452, although, with its expansions, updates, and DLC, players can now take on campaigns set in the 700s and the 800s.

As expected of a grand strategy game, the depth in Crusader Kings 2 is far beyond what is thought possible on a home console at launch in the PS3 and Xbox 360 era. There is as much emphasis on politics, economy, and alliances as on war. It is free to play, and the sequel Crusader Kings 3 is also available now on home computers and current-gen consoles.

11 Grand Ages: Medieval

Rule And Create Economies Across Europe

• Released: September 25, 2015
• Developer: Haemimont Games
• Platforms: PC and PS4

Launched in 2015, Grand Ages: Medieval is a city-building strategy game developed by Gaming Minds Studio that was released for the PC and the PlayStation 4. It allows players to begin the game by constructing a small town to extend their rule across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and more.

While there are turn-based combat elements to the game Grand Ages: Medieval is about trade routes and building empires. It gives its players a great insight into how the medieval economy worked. It may lack the depth of its PC counterparts, but for console players wanting something different, Grand Ages: Medieval is a solid recommendation in the strategy genre.

10 Total War Saga: Thrones Of Britannia

Grand Strategy Set In Late 9th Century Britain

• Released: May 2, 2018
• Developer: Creative Assembly
• Platforms: Linux, macOS, and PC

The Total War series has always been one of the go-to games for history fans to delve into. Whether covering Roman history or the Napoleonic Wars, the series has always been regarded as one of the most authentic historical games.

Released in 2018 for the PC, Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia continues that trend in a strategy game set in the British Isles during 878 AD after Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings. Like its predecessors, players can assume the role of various factions while participating in real-time battles, empire-building, and diplomacy.

9 Mount And Blade: Warband

A Medieval Sandbox For History Fans

First released for the PC in 2010 and then the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2014, Mount & Blade: Warband is a medieval sandbox RPG. While some players may feel lost being thrown in at the deep end with Warband, those willing to invest the time will find a game that lets them become anything they want on a medieval battlefield.

If players want to become a merc for hire or rise through the ranks to become a king, they can. Warband lacks the polish of a triple-A, but it is one of the most ambitious, and the imagination binds the limit.

8 The First Templar

Hack And Slash Co-Op Game With Surprisingly Deep Mechanics

• Released: May 5, 2011
• Developer: Haemimont Games
• Platforms: PC and Xbox 360

The First Templar is an action RPG launched for the Xbox 360 and the PC in 2011. On its surface, it looks like just another low-budget 13th-century set hack-and-slash Diablo clone. However, there is a surprising amount of depth in its combat mechanics.

The rhythmic-based combat system requires timing and skill and is reminiscent of the Batman: Arkham series when in the flow of battle. In addition, the stealth mechanics and finishing moves are as brutal as they are satisfying. Furthermore, the characters and the narrative are engaging enough - despite its wobbly voice acting - to keep players entertained for the duration of its campaign, whether enjoyed in single-player or co-op modes.

7 Assassin's Creed

Stunning Action Adventure Set During The Crusades

The closest game on this list to medieval fantasy is the original Assassin's Creed. While the series falls into the historical fiction genre, their locations have been painstakingly recreated to transport the player into another world.

The original game is set in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade. It features some obvious visual inspiration from the Ridley Scott medieval epic Kingdom of Heaven, set around the same time. However, as with the entirety of the Assassin's Creed games, the real stars are the cities in their historical form and the combat.

6 Broken Sword: Shadow Of The Templars

Beautiful Story-Driven Point And Click Adventure

First released in 1996 for the PC and PlayStation, Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars is a point-and-click adventure with a fantastic story, great characters, and a believable world. Being set in the modern-day, There is no transporting its players into historical depictions of the past. There is a wealth of information that will interest or introduce gamers to the history of Knights Templars.

The game will take its players to several historical landmarks and places of interest across Europe as the lead characters, George and Nico, try to solve a murder related to the secret society calling themselves the Templars.

5 A Plague Tale: Innocence

Emotional And Dark Medieval Horror Adventure

Released in 2019, A Plague Tale: Innocence is a stealth action-adventure game developed by Asobo Studio. The studio is better known for its adaptations of several Disney and Pixar licensed games like WALL-E and Toy Story 3.

A Plague Tale is set in 1348 France and the region of Aquitaine - the home of the lead characters Amicia and Hugo - amid The Hundred Years War and the English invasion. The Inquisition is also looking for Hugo. Amicia and her brother escape, and players must guide their flight from the soldiers and hordes of rats through the grim but beautifully rendered medieval world.

4 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

An Authentic And Gritty Medieval RPG

Released in 2018 for the PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an open-world RPG set in the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1403. It is a beautifully recreated world and is as close to a medieval life simulator with its brutal survival mechanics.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance also has a great story, solid voice acting, and some of the most rewarding swordplay mechanics in the genre. The game was developed with the assistance of historical experts to help the creators build one of the most authentic medieval experiences in gaming.

3 Hellish Quart

The Most Realistic Medieval Swordfighting Game Available

Even in Early Access on Steam, Hellish Quart is the best sword-fighting simulator on any platform. The motion capture and animation are incredible and convey the sense of weight and skill needed to win a medieval sword fight. Hellish Quart pits 17th-century fighters against each other in battles that require strategy and skill.

Moreover, Hellish Quart is being expanded with a story mode in development. It focuses on one of the characters in the game named Jacek. It is the first of several planned short stories that tie into the campaign when the game is out of Early Access. Old-school PS1 fans may remember a sword-fighting title named Bushido Blade. It was based during the Samurai era, but the stakes were the same. A fight can end with one precise strike, or injuries can occur with hits to the arms and legs. Hellish Quart feels like a spiritual successor to that gone but not forgotten series.

2 A Plague Tale: Requiem

A Stunning But Brutal Medieval Adventure

A Plague Tale: Requiem continues as Amicia and Hugo are joined by Lucas on their journey after the events of A Plague Tale: Innocence. Like its predecessor, Requiem captures the desperation of the youngsters trying to survive in the harsh medieval world with war, famine, and danger waiting for them around every corner.

There are elements of horror, but stealth is still the focus of the gameplay, as playing as Amicia means that she is outmatched by the adult soldiers who pursue them. A Plague Tale: Requiem is an improvement in every way compared to Innocence, and fans of that title and lovers of the historical setting will find themselves immersed in its world.

1 Pentiment

Medieval Murder Mystery Game With Choice-Based Dialogue

Obsidian Entertainment has a history of telling compelling stories and implementing choice-based dialogue to provide compelling outcomes and replay value. This is evident with games like Pillars of Eternity, Alpha Protocol, and Fallout: New Vegas. Despite being very visually different, Pentiment displays their knack for brilliant writing and excellent dialogue in a medieval detective drama with an art style reminiscent of historical tapestries.

The game is set in the 1500s during the Holy Roman Empire, and there's a lot of well-researched historical accuracy in its depiction of the culture and folklore. Players take on the role of an Illuminator as he is tasked with solving the murder of a Baron and making a historical account in his manuscript. Pentiment is one of the most unique and historically relevant medieval games available.