Ahh the middle ages. Knights in shining armor, swordplay, jousts, intrigues and superstitions. What's not to like? It is the fan-favorite backdrop for many video games. Most of them pepper the boring reality of the story with highly sought after special ingredients like orcs and elves and magic and dragons. Thanks JRR Tolkien.
But there are also games that don't do that, which rely solely on the power of historical accuracy. Like the upcoming hyper-realistic Kingdom Come: Deliverance, a game developed by the Czech designers who also created the Mafia games and the sadly forgotten Vietcong. Kingdom Come will be set in medieval Eastern Europe, and will present a medieval world as close to reality as possible.
To honor that intention of authenticity, here's a list of the top 10 medieval video games you can shake your true piece of the Holy Cross to.
#25 Arcania: Gothic 4
- Développeur: Spellbound Entertainment, Black Forest Games
- Publisher: JoWooD Entertainment, Nordic Gmes
- Platforms: PC, PS3, X360, PS4
Another medieval fantasy game. All of the Gothic games have been very faithful in their renditions of medieval life, down to the more mundane (boring?) aspects. None of course as in-depth as Mount and Blade, but they are nonetheless very immersive when it comes to rendering a medieval-style world fully realized.
# 24 Vikings: Loups de Midgard
- Developer: Games Farm
- Publisher: Kalypso Media Digital
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
Vikings: Wolves of Midgard is an action-RPG set on the shores of Midgard. Players will take on the role of clan leader of the Ulfung, also known as the Wolves of Midgard.
As the world is invaded by Jotan, your goal is to get rid of the undead creatures that only serve as a means of total destruction of the world. While offering a single player story mode, there is online co-op allowing friends to work together.
# 23 Assassin’s Creed
- Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Platforms: PS3, X360, PC
The first Assassin's Creed was an incredibly vivid take on the medieval Middle East. Admittedly with a lot of sci-fi history, but still very well done and a joy to behold. The creators were obviously inspired by Ridley Scott's last very good film, Kingdom of Paradise, whose game took a whole series of visual ideas.
#22 Styx: Shards of Darkness
- Developer: Cyanide
- Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Styx: Shards of Darkness is a stealth-oriented video game developed by Cyanide. Set as the third installment in the Of Orcs and Men series, players will take on the role of protagonist Styx. Overall, the game's narrative goal is to infiltrate the dark elven city of Korangar in order to find out the reason between the new alliance of dark elves and dwarves.
If you enjoyed previous Styx installments then you will find that most of the gameplay elements are back in this latest version. Styx will be able to briefly turn invisible, set traps, and even clone himself to eliminate nearby enemies.
#21 War of the Roses
- Developer: Fatshark
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive
- Platforms: PC
The war-based game on which George RR Martin's bestselling novel series and TV show is based! Also a bit like Crusader Kings 2. Not just as good and in-depth, but still a great old strategy title for carrying out a medieval bloodline!
# 20 Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
- Developer: Creative Assembly
- Publisher: Sega
- Platforms: PC
- Released: May 3, 2022
Total War received a new installment in 2022 called Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia. The video game is very similar to the style strategy game the series is known for but set in the British Isles in 878 AD, where Anglo-Saxons, Gaelics, and Vikings begin to fight to rule as than leader.
In the game, players go through campaigns where the story will be shaped from the player's actions and victories. It is also a standalone Total War video game, players can choose to resume the game without having to replay previous titles. Likewise, the developers designed the game to contain a highly detailed map as you gather armies and embark on campaign conquests.
#19 Kingdom Come: Deliverance
- Developer: Warhorse Studios
- Éditeur: Deep Silver, Warhorse Studios
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Kingdom Come: Deliverance, is a historical RPG with a glorious open world. It will be a single-player experience set in the 15th century, and should feature historically accurate armor, clothing, and combat techniques. It's also a long RPG journey where players venture on a journey to seek revenge for the murder of our protagonists' family.
For the record, the old king of Bohemia had passed on with his heirs lacking the ability and power to secure the throne. Taking advantage of this opportunity to take advantage of it and claim the rights, the brother of the old king takes control of Bohemia.
Players will take on the role of a blacksmith's son whose family has been murdered by an invading army. With revenge burning in his heart, the son searches for his family's murderer while restoring the throne to the rightful heir.
#18 Risen
- Developer: Piranha Bytes
- Éditeur: Deep Silver
- Platforms: PC, X360
This is the fourth gothic game, since licensing rights for the franchise remained with publisher JoWood, so when Germany-based game studio Piranha Bites left them, they had to let go of their game world. didn't matter, they just came up with a new one for their own use, and Risen was born. While Risen 2 delves into early modern-style pirate adventures, Risen is still firmly medieval, and very much like Gothic.
#17 For Honor
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
For Honor is a competitive third-person melee combat game that combines speed, strategy and team-based gameplay in close combat, pitting warriors from medieval times against each other. Players take on the roles of vikings, knights, and samurai in an all-out melee. This is an action hack-and-slash type video game that you have already played or at least heard of. In For Honor, the game launches different factions into a head-on battle. It's a game that emphasizes properly swinging your axe, sword, or whatever else you might be equipped with to hit your target.
#16 Mount and Blade: Warband
- Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive, Ravenscourt
- Platforms: PC, Mobo, PS4, XBO
Nothing less than a simulation of life in the medieval world, Mount and Blade is maddening in its scale. Start as a descendant in the kingdom and rise to become the new king? Possible. Hard work, but possible. Be whatever you want. A thief, a beggar, a farmer, participate in anything, strategy, politics or everyday life? Yeah everything is doable. M&B has insane ambition, and it's not the easiest game to play, but once you've done it, getting out of it is even harder.
#15 Chivalry: Medieval Warfare
- Developer: Torn Banner Studios
- Publisher: Torn Banner Studios, Activison
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XBO
Based on Half-Life 2 Mod Age of Chivalry, this game is basically a class-based shooter with a heavy emphasis on melee weapons instead of shooting. There are also bows and siege weapons to choose from. It's not the most authentic thing out there, but it's devoid of sorcery or orcs.
# 14 MediEvil
- Developer: Other Ocean Emeryville
- Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Platforms: PS4
We've seen a pretty big trend in this current generation of console platforms. More games are being picked up and remastered or completely remade for veterans as well as new audiences. It's a way to give fans a chance to enjoy something familiar, but modified to be more compatible with the latest mechanical and hardware capabilities. This is where we got the latest version of MediEvil, a game that originally released on the PlayStation but has been brought back for the PlayStation 4.
For those unfamiliar with MediEvil, it's a game that follows Sir Daniel Fortesque, a knight who was resurrected to stop an evil wizard named Zarok. It's a wacky story that will hopefully appeal to fans new and old. It's also a unique take on the more usual medieval video games that we tend to see hitting the market.
#13 Warhammer: Vermintide 2
- Developer: Fatshark
- Publisher: Fatshark
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is a first-person action title that follows the events of the first title, Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide. In the game, players must band together to fight against an army of Chaos with a race of ratmen known as Skaven. Much of the game focuses on melee action with a host of weapons and abilities making battles fluid and action-packed. Players will be able to choose from five different characters that can all be adjusted to match a certain class path, resulting in different sets of skills and abilities. Currently, the game is only available on most major platforms such as PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a port in the works for Nintendo Switch owners.
# 12 The Innocence of a Plague Tale
- Developer: Asobo Studio
- Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Located in 1349 in Your country, the region is ravaged by the plague. Rats travel in swarms, leaving those still alive to carefully roam the world. But aside from infected rats, there is another hostile force to reckon with, the Inquisition. Players take on the role of Amicia De Rune and her younger brother Hugo De Rune, both of whom are being chased by the Inquisition for unknown reasons.
Played from a third-person perspective, A Plague Tale: Innocence places a heavy emphasis on stealth to avoid hostile encounters. Combat is primarily used to distract guards or swarms of rats and when not trying to avoid detection the game presents players with a series of puzzles. On average, to complete the main story, you'll need to set aside around ten hours. If you're looking for something to sit back and enjoy on an empty weekend, we suggest you give this game a try.
# 11 Crusader Kings 2
- Developer: Paradox Development Studio
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive
- Platforms: PC
Legendary for its depth, Crusader Kings 2 lets the player rule a medieval country and go from army to army with other nations. But be careful not to piss off the pope if you're interested in staying with the church. Build your country, immerse yourself in war and politics, and carefully manage your bloodline to become the best and greatest crusader king. Yeah that's about all.
# 10 Mordhau
- Developer: Triternion
- Publisher: Triternion
- Platforms: PC
- Released: April 29, 2022
Mordhau gained some attention after its release. It is a hack-and-slash style multiplayer video game, almost similar to For Honor. Players will enter a battle filled with over sixty players as they try to survive or bring victory to their team. It's all about melee combat and you'll find a wide assortment of weapons to use in the field, from swords to arrows. There's also customization play here too with players able to craft weapons from different parts while tweaking your armor to help withstand heavy blows.
#9 Dark Souls
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
- Platforms: PS3, X360, PC, PS4, XBO, NS
Set in a mythical medieval era, Dark Souls is about as mediocre and brutal as a video game can get. Sure, it's not as authentic as many, but Lodran is one big medieval game world. With a focus on death, rebirth, trial and error, exploration and building muscle memory, Dark Souls is not for the weak. But you already know that.
# 8 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
- Platforms: PC, PS3, X360, XBO, PS4, NS
It's still going strong. Years after its release on 11/11/11, the fifth entry in the Elder Scrolls series is as alive as it's ever been. Last year another big chunk of DLC was released, and now the game has been left to modders, who are working hard to create more of everything for this monster game. And yeah, that's not necessarily authentic no more. Although dragons were mentioned in a surprising number of medieval texts.
#7 Darkest Dungeon
- Developer: Red Hook Studios
- Publisher: Red Hook Studios, Merge Games
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PSV, Mobo, NS, XBO
This challenging gothic roguelike is a turn-based RPG revolving around the psychological stress of adventure. In the game, players must recruit, train, and lead a team of incredibly human heroes to fight against unimaginable horrors, stress, agriculture, and disease.
# 6 Medieval II: Total War
- Developer: Creative Assembly
- Publisher: Sega
- Platforms: PC
The Total War series has always been that way. A board game glorified on a global strategy level, with real-time strategy battles whenever conflict looms. Medieval 2 makes no exception here. Choose a medieval power to victoriously cross the dark ages. Special victory conditions apply. Crush your enemies in vast real-time battles, try a little diplomacy for good measure, then try not to piss off the Pope. Yeah, that guy was pretty big back then...
# 5 The Witcher 2: Assassin’s of Kings
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Publisher: CD Projekt
- Platforms: PC, X360
While the second Witcher game doesn't take place in our world either, the medieval fantasy setting it features is so fine and complicated to figure out that it barely matters that there are dudes with pointy ears. who run everywhere. It's a beautifully rendered world. There are monsters and there is magic. But you're not here to see the Middle Ages, so who's to say these things didn't exist?
#4 Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
- Developer: Ninja Theory
- Publisher: Ninja Theory
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Hellblade is a hack-and-slash title described as a Ninja Theory indie AAA video game due to the game being developed by a small independent studio but with the level of detail expected from a major AAA video game release. The story of Hellblade follows a Celtic warrior named Senua as she journeys through hell. However, this hell that Senua sees is through her own psychotic manifestations due to her mental illnesses.
Senua suffers from hallucinations, delusions, anxiety and depression. Due to these illnesses, our protagonist must embark on a very personal journey, one that Ninja Theory has taken great care to ensure is accurate and sensitive.
#3 Dark Souls 3
- Developer: FromSoftware
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
The fourth entry in the overall Souls series, Dark Souls III has been named publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment's best-selling game, with three million copies sold worldwide in just two months after its release.
If you've enjoyed previous releases of the Souls series, you won't want to miss picking up Dark Souls III. Without going too deep into the story, the game opens with the kingdom of Lothric. Players learn that the First Flame is dying out, and if it did go out, the Dark Ages would be upon the world, leaving the undead and cursed to rise.
The Age of Fire could be extended with the Binding of Fires, which previously cost heroes the sacrifice of their souls to ignite the first flame. However, Prince Lothric chose to watch the flame go out.
# 2 Dragon Age: Inquisition
- Developer: BioWare Edmonton
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, X360, XBO
The third major installment in the Dragon Age franchise, Dragon Age: Inquisition is an action role-playing video game where players take on the role of an inquisitor who embarks on a grand journey to deal with civil unrest on the continent of Thedas. .
While the developers have set the game to be on the same continent from the last two installments, the exploration for Dragon Age: Inquisition is rather massive in comparison. For example, it was noted that the game features a map that is already five times larger than the setting of the first installment of the series. That said, you'll want to set aside some time to really dive into gaming.
#1 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Publisher: CD Projekt
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Western RPG fans will no doubt have played at least one of the Witcher games. With its rich and deep narrative journeys and fleshed out worlds, the trilogy concluded with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. As expected, the third installment not only saw a massive overhaul in terms of graphics, but also provided players with a much more vivid world filled with quests and exploration.
While still assuming the role of Geralt of Rivia, players will find that they must contend with the invasion of the Northern Kingdom as well as the growing threat of the Wild Hunt. Apart from a massive world to explore, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt features campaigns and quests to keep you busy for hours.
