Summary

  • Manor Lords' next update will feature two new maps for players to enjoy.
  • The update will also include new building upgrades and an overhaul of the ale and water distribution system.
  • Marketplaces and goods distribution will be updated, with the addition of distribution filters based on player feedback.

Manor Lords has some major changes ahead of it, including two new maps, additional building upgrades, and a few overhauled mechanics. While the medieval strategy game has largely been a hit among those playing it in early access, players have still had a lot to say about where it can improve. The team over at Slavic Magic seems to be listening, as the latest Manor Lords update contains a lot of what fans have been asking for.

Early access titles are a point of controversy among gamers, and Manor Lords is no exception. Despite strong sales and player numbers, the title has received its fair share of criticism regarding its continued development. In July, Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender responded to complaints about Manor Lords' lack of updates, and the company now has something more concrete to show for it. Its next patch will bring plenty of new content and features, the lack of which has been a sticking point for the game's critics.

Developer Slavic Magic adds a useful feature to Manor Lords' next update
Manor Lords' Next Update Adds Helpful Feature

Developer Slavic Magic is adding a useful feature in Manor Lords' next update that helps address an issue some players experience.

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Manor Lords developer Greg Styczeń offered a sneak peek into the game's upcoming update in a November 22 Steam News post. When the patch releases, it will bring two brand new maps to Manor Lords alongside new building upgrades for players to unlock in their villages. While there are no details on these beyond a handful of images, it looks like fans have a snowy forest and a woodland at the foot of a mountain to look forward to. Beyond the maps and unlockables, the update will bring a few quality-of-life improvements, including the much-requested fix Manor Lords promised earlier — an overhaul to the game's ale and water distribution.

What's Included in the Next Manor Lords Update?

  • Two new maps
  • New building upgrades
  • A new ale and water distribution system
  • Overhauled marketplace and goods distribution
  • Distribution filters for marketplaces

The ale and water system isn't the only game mechanic getting a fresh look. Marketplaces and goods distribution will also work differently after Slavic Magic tested three alternate systems to find one that felt the most intuitive. As far as specifics go, players will be able to filter distributed goods in their markets — something many fans have asked for to streamline the gameplay. Considering how Manor Lords sold 2 million copies in three weeks without these features, bringing these highly requested additions to the title could cement its early access success.

Future updates are sure to follow, as Hooded Horse's previous comments compared early access to a marathon, hinting at a long road of slow but steady improvements. This next round of additions may be what some have been waiting for to try it out, but only time will tell what's in store for the game beyond this patch. The publisher has confirmed that Manor Lords will get frequent discounts in the future, so anyone wanting to see how it plays after these updates can look forward to the next sale.

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Manor Lords Tag Page Cover Art

Manor Lords
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Strategy
City Builder
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Systems
PC-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 50%
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Released
April 26, 2024
ESRB
t
Developer(s)
Slavic Magic
Publisher(s)
Hooded Horse
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Manor Lords is a strategy game that allows you to experience the life of a medieval lord. Grow your starting village into a bustling city, manage resources and production chains, and expand your lands through conquest.


Inspired by the art and architecture of late 14th century Franconia, Manor Lords prioritizes historical accuracy wherever possible, using it to inform gameplay mechanics and visuals alike. Common medieval tropes are avoided in favor of historical accuracy in order to make the world feel more authentic, colorful, and believable.


Manor Lords provides a gridless city-building experience with full freedom of placement and rotation. Building mechanics are inspired by the growth of real medieval towns and villages, where major trade routes and the landscape influenced how settlements formed and developed.


From boots to barley and hides to honey, Manor Lords features a great variety of goods fitting of the era. Materials need to be transported and processed into finished products through production chains, and you must balance the basic needs of your people against the desire to produce luxury items to ensure happiness, manufacture trade goods for export, or forge arms and armor to aid in your conquests.

Genre(s)
Strategy, City Builder
OpenCritic Rating
Fair