The Middle Ages have inspired many video games over the years, with developers across multiple genres creating medieval masterpieces. Naturally, medieval combat games are some of the most popular, and among these are medieval PvP games that allow players to battle it out against online opponents clad in the best armor of the age.
The 20 Best Games For Fans Of Medieval History
Whether it’s Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, For Honor, Crusader Kings 3, or more, fans have a lot of choices when it comes to medieval fantasy games.
However, combat games are not the only medieval PvP games, as grand strategy games and real-time battle simulators also allow players to put their skills to the test, even if they are more often known for their single-player campaigns.
7 For Honor
For Honor is a competitive PvP game where players take on the role of Knights, Vikings, or Samurai. In some ways For Honor is similar to MOBA games, as within each of the three factions, players have different heroes to choose from, each with their own unique abilities. Furthermore, the game's main game mode features soldiers who are basically AI minions who contribute towards the objective.
In terms of combat, the game features directional attacks and a matching guarding system that rewards skill, making it one of the better games for players who want a truly challenging medieval multiplayer experience.
6 Total War: Medieval 2
Total War: Medieval 2 is one of the best Total War games of all time, even well over a decade after its release. While players can enjoy single-player campaigns with turn-based strategy as well as real-time battles, there is nothing quite like heading online and fighting massive medieval battles against friends or skilled opponents across the world. Impressively, PvP in Total War: Medieval 2 can feature up to 8 players.
5 Tabletop Games From The Middle Ages And Antiquity
Fans of Crusader Kings 3 and other games set in the Middle Ages or Antiquity may be interested in these real-life board games from the era.
The battles themselves can be comprised of up to 10,000 troops, with dozens of different units from multiple factions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Players will feel a sense of awe as they watch ranks upon ranks of brightly-clad knights charge into the enemy, especially when recreating historical battles from the Middle Ages.
5 Conqueror's Blade
If players are looking for a great medieval PvP game, that is also free to play, then they should look no further than Conqueror's Blade, an MMO that is all about medieval battles. Players can create their own hero using a class system, and they are also able to take control of other medieval units, which they will lead into the fray.
Teams in Conqueror's Blade can be comprised of up to 15 players, with one side usually attacking and the other defending in epic sieges. More open battles to the death are also available, as well as larger-scale PvP events from time to time.
4 Chivalry 2
Chivalry 2 is all about medieval PvP, although it does have less emphasis on historical accuracy regarding the portrayal of combat in the time period. Instead, the first-person slasher promises players the experience of epic medieval movie battles, which is a major draw for many who simply want to revel in the glory at stake.
As one of the games with the best first-person melee combat, Chivalry 2 is non-stop action, especially thanks to its 64-player battlefields and objective-based game modes. Mounted combat has also been pulled off magnificently by Torn Banner Studios, giving players incredible control over their mounts with the ability to trample and kick.
3 Crusader Kings 3
Crusader Kings 3 is one of the best grand strategy games of all time, allowing players to take on the role of a medieval ruler. While the game is typically played solo, it does have online PvP capabilities, with players able to either team up together and be allies in war or try and conquer each other's lands and even assassinate their opponents.
8 Medieval Games With A 2D Art Style
These 2D medieval games have art styles that draw inspiration from books and other media and are well worth checking out for fans of the period.
With schemes, seduction, marriage proposals, and grand tournaments, there is a lot of fun to be had with PvP in Crusader Kings 3 and players can play it however they want.
2 Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is a massive medieval RPG and sandbox game with the potential for huge PvP sessions. This game has it all, from strategy, story, politics, and trade to epic raids and large open battles that can be fought in either third or first-person.
With a fantastic community and servers that allow hundreds of players to partake in battles, Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord quickly becomes one of the best medieval PvP games, especially when players can coordinate their battle plans to fight in well-organized ranks. While the hand-to-hand combat does have depth, it is also a great game for new players who will find the controls intuitive.
1 Mordhau
Mordhau is the quintessential medieval PvP game, allowing players to engage in massive multiplayer battles. With excellent slasher mechanics that reward skill and patience, it is the perfect battleground for players to live out their medieval combat fantasies.
Mordhau has an impressive range of weapons, all of which feel unique to wield and master. There are a number of different game modes and maps for players to try out, with large open battlefields allowing for open warfare, urban maps being more about sieges, and the smallest of maps for duels and skirmishes.