The Medieval setting has long been a favorite for fiction writers due to the turmoil and rapid changes experienced throughout the time. From Tolkein's Lord Of The Rings to the Fate/Stay Night anime series, all forms of media can make use of this genre in some format, and video games are certainly no exception. Arguably innovating and revolutionizing the RPG genre more than any other setting, the Medieval period offers a blend of the brutal hard-living of the times along with mysticism and fantasy as was often recorded in the histories of the people who lived in that era.
Still a prominent formula among games developers today, the medieval RPG can encompass many classic, well-known fantasy titles, along with some more realistic simulation-type experiences, which are becoming ever more popular as technology and understanding of the past continue to develop. For many players, this is one of the few ways in which they are able to be transported to the Medieval period, and the following titles do so in the greatest ways possible.
6 Medieval Dynasty
Medieval Dynasty is a survival-simulation/management game developed by Render Cube. The focus in this game is on realism and surviving as a humble peasant might have done during the Middle Ages. Starting out with virtually nothing, players will have to gather, craft and assemble everything alone, before constructing a small settlement which will encourage NPCs to move in - where they can then be assigned jobs to help out.
Far from a typical RPG 'chosen one' narrative with dragons and spells abound, this game focuses on the down-to-earth lives of the people from the past. While the game has at times been criticized for being "too grindy", in the developer's defense it is a very accurate reflection of the pace of the times, and certainly a must-play experience for fans of medieval history.
5 Anvil Empires
Anvil Empires is an upcoming MMO from developers Siege Camp, creators of Foxhole - which is of a similar style but set in World War 2. Anvil Empires, on the other hand takes the same concept of players working in small roles as part of a much larger collective, and transports it to the Middle Ages. The result, so far, is not entirely certain, but players who have been granted play-testing access have reported, on-the-whole, a very positive experience.
With the game set to release in some form later this year, players can look forward to taking up arms as one of three factions, and over the course of years ahead battle it out for supremacy and work in all manner of jobs to support the war effort.
4 Wartales
Wartales is an open-world RPG in which players take control of a band of mercenaries in an effort to complete a variety of different quests in a world that is partially fantasy but mostly grounded in survival and management of the party. With many different classes and specializations to choose from, players can mold their different characters into a cohesive and combat-effective unit, as well as taming wild animals such as wolves or bears to fight alongside them.
The game features turn-based combat in a similar vein to XCOM, which can provide a nice change of pace and a layer of strategy not usually present in the typical hack-and-slash medieval RPG. Overall, Wartales is a great game for any fans of the genre.
3 Crusader Kings 3
Another unique take on the Medieval setting is Paradox Interactive's Crusader Kings 3. The game allows players to take control of an entire dynasty and the gameplay plans hundreds of years and several generations as they seek to build and maintain their kingdom among the rapidly changing and unstable political environment of Medieval Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
From Holy Wars to lovers' secrets, the game includes all manner of details and procedural storytelling - meaning that every single playthrough is guaranteed to be unique. While the game is primarily a strategy and management game, characters come with a range of modifiable traits and skills, making each one feel like a unique personality.
2 Mount And Blade: Bannerlord
The Mount and Blade series is known for its large-scale battles and in-depth world-design, with a changing economy and endless political intrigue as well as party management and generic RPG elements all combining. The result is a very rich world with addictive gameplay, and Mount and Blade: Bannerlord represents the pinnacle of the series. From huge siege battles to interpersonal affairs, players starting as a lone peasant can work their way up to command entire empires and everything in between.
A loyal community of modders also ensure that the game stays fresh, with many alternative worlds from Game of Thrones to Lord Of The Rings included in the extensive list of available mods. The game therefore also represents an excellent platform from which players can branch out into even further stories, and can customize their game in any way they wish to suit their particular needs and play-style.
1 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Warhorse Studios' Kingdom Come: Deliverance might be the most accurate simulation of medieval life yet seen in gaming. As the protagonist Henry, players can immerse themselves in an interesting story which also tells the true history of the Holy Roman Empire and the conflict between Sigismund and Wenceslas in the region of Bohemia. Contrary to many other titles, Henry is not a leader of a great army or a swashbuckling hero, but simply an ordinary man who, at the start of the game, doesn't even posses the ability to read.
While the game can be difficult to learn at first, it is extremely rewarding for those who persist with it, and is also very unique in terms of gameplay in its effort to recreate historical settings with painstaking detail.