Best Medieval Strategy Games, Ranked

The medieval period has always made a great setting for strategy games. The military tactics of the era, chiefly centered around melee combat, require a certain degree of tactical awareness — which is why so many generals and leaders of the time are still revered today. As well as being one of the most unstable political periods in history, with opportunities and threats facing just about every nation-state, it was also a time of rapid innovation, particularly on the front of warfare.

Given the popularity of the medieval setting, it seems little surprise that so many developers have sought to create strategy games in this genre, with each bringing a unique offering of mechanics with different focuses. While some aim to encapsulate the scale of brutality and combat tactics of the era, others focus on the progress of civilizations and the development of small, local kingdoms into globe-spanning empires.

6 Ancestors Legacy

Squad Based Tactics Based On Real Historical Events

Inspired by real events in Medieval European history, this squad-based strategy game combines real-time tactics with settlement management mechanics. The result is an immersive, action-packed experience. The game features several campaigns as well as a skirmish mode, which can be played in co-op with friends. The AI is sensible and will provide players with a reasonable challenge, which is always important in the strategy genre.

Players will need to obtain resources such as food, metal, and wood to grow and strengthen their forces. While the base-building mechanics of the game do leave a little to be desired, they add a gameplay element that helps balance out the fast-paced combat sequences.

5 Knights of Honor 2: Sovereign

A Grand Strategy Game Where Players Have Lots Of Control

Originally released in 2004, the Knights of Honor series offers fans of grand strategy games a great balance between the grand scale of a Crusader Kings title and the simplicity and ease-of-use of a Total War game. With a wide range of playable factions spread across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, the game has plenty of replay value and variability in the outcomes of each campaign.

Knight of Honor 2: Sovereign delivers everything players could want from a medieval strategy title. Its systems revolving around trade, diplomacy, religion, and innovation are all at the center of each playthrough. While the game’s battle mode might not be its greatest strength, it allows players to become more immersed in the game world, and gives them greater control over the outcome of individual battles.

4 Age of Empires 4

Combines Base Building And RTS Combat

The Age of Empires series has long been considered one of the best strategy games in the genre. Combining real-time military tactics with city building elements, players will have to master both attack and defense as they seek to eliminate rival settlements. Meawhile, they must protect their own from the myriad issues they may encounter along the way. With resource management, population, construction and combat all at the heart of the experience, it is easy to see why the series has amassed such a loyal audience over the years.

The latest installment, Age of Empires 4, takes the series back from the colonial era to its medieval origins. Gamers get the chance to play as a variety of key civilizations from the time. Each country and leader has their own distinct visual style, as well as individuated playstyles which increase replayability.

3 Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

Unique Game In Which Players Can Accomplish Almost Anything

Mount & Blade games begin as more of an RPG experience. However, players quickly come to realize the important element that strategy plays as they advance in rank and ultimately command their own armies and factions. Starting off with a small band of thugs, players can ascend the socio-political heirarchy to the point of leading vast armies and reshaping the fate of the land of Calradia.

A sense of strategy becomes increasingly important as players progress through the game. By default, most units will charge head-on at enemies as soon as a battle begins (including archers). Therefore, players will quickly have to learn the different positional and stance commands, to prevent their units’ complete slaughter when faced with an equal or superior enemy. As well as battlefield tactics, players will also have to be mindful of their political strategy. Each character has their own personal relationship rating towards the player, which can be affected by the player’s actions in-game.

2 Medieval 2: Total War

A Classic RTS In A Series That Shaped The Genre

One of the most beloved titles in the Total War series is Medieval 2. Released back in 2006, it says a lot that Medieval 2 continues to have a higher player count than Pharaoh, Napoleon, Empire and Shogun 2, despite its age. With a heavy focus on warfare and battlefield tactics, players will have to make quick decisions as the tides of battle change in real time. Additionally, an extensive campaign mode allows players to try to conquer medieval Europe, Africa, and the Middle East with their chosen faction.

A range of expansion packs further broaden the horizons of the game, even allowing players to make trips to the New World. While the game still retains some popularity, many fans are calling for a third installment in the Medieval: Total War series. However, that request has, as yet, been ignored by the developers.

1 Crusader Kings 3

Focuses On The Politics And Diplomacy Of The Era

Paradox Interactive’s Crusader Kings 3 might not have the same focus on battlefield tactics as some other titles, but it encapsulates everything that players love about the strategy genre. Managing a dynasty over several generations, players will have to deal with a variety of interesting scenarios as they seek to etch their clan’s name in the history books. Few games, if any, have such a strong diplomatic system. Interpersonal relations are at the forefront of the game’s mechanics.

Several impressive overhaul mods have also expanded the game for fantasy audiences, with Game of Thrones and Elder Scrolls mods being among the most popular. Oftentimes, players are told that they can “forge their own story” within a video game, but nowhere is this truer than within the world of Crusader Kings 3.