When it comes to entertainment mediums most fans aren’t expecting perfect historical accuracy but having a variety of choices for those looking for something more realistic should have options too. Thankfully, there are still some great games out there that cater to the history buffs as well as the sword and sorcery fans.
Updated May 2nd, 2022, by Michael Llewellyn: When it comes to escapism video games can’t be matched. This doesn’t just apply to fantasy and adventure games but realistic and historical experiences. Games have the power to take the player back to a place in time and lose themselves for hours in these worlds.
Whether it’s playing a general in command of an army or a lowly knight trying to survive a realistic recreation of the 15th century, video games have something for everyone that loves history. This list has been updated with more games for lovers of medieval history in a variety of genres.
13 For Honor
Released: 2017 Developer: Ubisoft Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
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 one of Ubisoft’s most successful IPs, and fans have access to a ton of content that was 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 For Honor’s tutorials first will quickly find that it’s no ordinary fighting game. It’s big, boisterous, a lot of fun, and surprisingly well-balanced for a game with such a variety in fighting styles.
12 Medieval 2: Total War
Released: 2006 Developer: Creative Assembly Platform: Android, Linux, macOS, and PC
Released in 2006, Medieval 2: Total War looks more dated than Creative Assembly’s recent hits in the Total War franchise. However, when it comes to depth and gameplay the game is timeless.
Moreover, thanks to its age, it’s also one of the most easily accessible games with it being available on Android and older PCs. At over fifteen years old, Medieval 2 is still one of the greatest grand strategy games of all time,
11 Crusader Kings 3
Released: 2022 Developer: Paradox Development Studio Platform: Linux, macOS, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
Released in 2022, Crusador Kings 3 marks the first time that 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 any depth. It’s literally a game that can last players forever as it’s designed to play as a dynamic and reactive experience. As with most grand strategy games, the mechanics can be intimidating at first but the rewarding gameplay makes it worth the steep learning curve.
10 Ancestors Legacy
Released: 2018 Developer: Destructive Creations Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One
First released in 2018 for the PC and 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One with a Nintendo Switch release for Ancestors Legacy set to follow in June 2020. It’s 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’s campaign is set in 793 chronicling their first raid on the Lindisfarne Monastery with the second part taking place in 892. Additionally, there are campaigns where gamers can play from the perspectives of the Slavs and Teutons.
9 Crusader Kings 2
Released: 2019 Developer: Paradox Development Studio Platform: Linux, Mac OS X, and PC
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 part in campaigns set in the 700s and the 800s.
As expected of a grand strategy game the amount of depth in Crusader Kings 2 is far beyond what is possible on a home console at the time of its release. There is as much emphasis on politics, economy, and alliances as there is on war. It is currently free to play and the sequel Crusader Kings 3 is also available now on home computers and current-gen consoles.
8 Grand Ages: Medieval
Released: 2015 Developer: Haemimont Games Platform: PC
Released 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 at its heart about trade routes and building empires. It gives its players a great insight into how the medieval economy worked. It may lack the same kind of depth as its PC counterparts but for console players wanting something a little different in the strategy genre, Grand Ages is a good bet.
7 Total War Saga: Thrones Of Britannia
Released: 2018 Developer: Creative Assembly Platform: Linux, macOS, and PC
The Total War series has always been one of the go-to games for fans of history to delve into. Whether it’s covering Roman history or the Napoleonic Wars the series has always been regarded as some of the most authentic historical games available.
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 878AD after Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings. Just like its predecessors, players can assume the role of various factions while participating in real-time battles, empire-building, and diplomacy.
6 Mount And Blade: Warband
Released: 2010 Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment Platform: Android, Linux, macOS, PC, PS4, and Xbox One
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 will let them become anything they want.
If they want to become a merc for hire they or rise through the ranks to become a king they can. Warband isn’t the most polished title on this list, but it’s one of the most ambitious, and the limit is almost completely bound by the player’s imagination.
5 The First Templar
Released: 2011 Developer: Haemimont Games Platform: PC and Xbox 360
The First Templar is an action RPG that was released for the Xbox 360 and the PC in 2011. On its surface, it looks like just another low-budget hack-and-slash Diablo clone set in the 13th Century. However, there’s a surprising amount of depth in its combat mechanics.
The rhythmic-based combat system requires timing and skill and is quite 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 is engaging enough - despite its wobbly voice acting - to keep players entertained for the duration of its campaign whether it’s in single-player or co-op modes.
4 Assassin’s Creed
Released: 2007 Developer: Ubisoft Platform: PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
The closest game on this list that comes to medieval fantasy is the original Assassin’s Creed. While the series falls into the category of historical fiction, their locations set in various periods have been painstakingly recreated to transport the player into another world.
The original game is set in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade in 1191. There is some obvious visual inspiration derived from Ridley Scott’s medieval epic Kingdom of Heaven which is set around the same time. However, as with all of the Assassin’s Creed games, the real stars are the depictions of cities in their historical form and the combat.
3 Broken Sword: Shadow Of The Templars
Released: 1996 Developer: Revolution Software Platform: Android, DS, IOS, GBA, macOS, PC, PS1, and the Wii
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 it won’t transport its players into historical depictions of the past, but there’s a wealth of information there 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 and solve a murder that is related to the secret society calling themselves the Templars.
2 A Plague Tale: Innocence
Released: 2019 Developer: Asobo Studio Platform: Luna, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
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 lead character Amica de Rune’s hometown of Aquitaine amid The Hundred Years War has been invaded by the English who are looking for her brother Hugo. Amica and her brother escape and players are tasked with guiding their escape from the soldiers and hordes of rats through the grim but beautifully rendered medieval world.
1 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Released: 2018 Developer: Warhorse Studios Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Released in 2018 for the PC, Xbox One, and the PlayStation 4, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an open-world RPG set in the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1403. It is one of the most beautifully recreated worlds of this generation and is as close to a medieval life simulator as it can get.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance also has a great story, solid voice acting, and some of the most rewarding swordplay mechanics seen in an RPG. The game was developed with the assistance of historical experts to help the creators build one of the most authentic medieval experiences in gaming. Now, if only the studio would implement the technology of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S so console gamers can have a better experience.
More: Best Games For Fans Of Roman History
