While there have been a number of historically accurate medieval games released over the years, with the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series leading the way, some games do not strive for realism, or fall short at easy hurdles. Most notably, there are a few tropes about the Middle Ages in films, TV, and video games, with everything being drab and dirty, when in fact the era was exceptionally colorful, even gaudy.
8 Best Dark Medieval Games
The Medieval era was notoriously bleak and dark, and while some games gloss over those more brutal aspects, these are not those games.
At other times, games mix and match armor, outfits, and architecture from different centuries, with these games often having no grounded setting, instead taking place in a generic European location, although this isn't always a problem. Lastly, there are the historically inaccurate medieval games with realistic and detailed worlds, but ahistorical gameplay. Typically, these games disregard the importance of armor, with protagonists dodging, rolling, and duel-wielding their way to victory, although these can also rank among the most fun medieval games.
Medieval Dynasty
No Religion, Stone Tools, & Modern Pigs
Medieval Dynasty
- Released
- December 17, 2020
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Medieval Dynasty is an open-world simulation game where, after surviving the first few days, players can build their own medieval village and recruit travelers to settle down, work, and raise families. The game does a lot right, with crafting, farming, and trade all having plenty of depth, and aside from a few wolves or bandits, the experience is fairly relaxing.
However, Medieval Dynasty falls into the trap of presenting a generic image of the Middle Ages. Most notably, the game is lacking any religion, despite its importance at the center of communities. While some explanations for this suggest that it could be set in Eastern or Central Europe in the 11th century, before Christianity had fully spread, this is at odds with plate armor and brigandines of the 14th and 15th centuries, and if it were the case, Paganism would be present. Furthermore, the game has players using stone and bronze tools at the start, the buildings aren't accurate, and lastly, the pigs are pink and modern, rather than brown and hairy, closer to wild boars. Nevertheless, these shortcomings are more acceptable than other games that tout themselves as 'medieval'.
Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
Aside From The Fantasy Elements, There Are Plenty Of Inaccuracies
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Released
- November 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- Ubisoft Anvil
- Platform(s)
- Stadia, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Assassin's Creed games are known for having highly detailed and immersive historical settings with real landmarks perfectly recreated. However, when it comes to combat and gameplay, historical accuracy is never the focus, for better or worse. This is no different in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which takes place in the late 9th century, following a Norwegian invader of the British Isles. Unfortunately, the combat is full of wild swings, easy decapitations, and dual-wielding axes.
10 New Upcoming Medieval Games
Fans of medieval video games have a lot to look forward to in the near future, but these are the most promising titles on the horizon.
Aside from the game's combat and Norse Mythology somewhat presented through dreams, Valhalla also gets a number of things wrong when it comes to historical details. For example, most of the shields are completely off, with kite shields around a century too early, as well as some wacky designs and unrealistic materials. Clothing and armor are something else that this game and most depictions of Vikings get wrong, with Vinland Saga being one of the few to succeed. For example, instead of wearing simple tunics, mail, and helmets, characters are covered in leather and fur, with the latter being on the outside rather than as a lining on the inside.
Chivalry 2
Designed To Evoke The Feeling Of Medieval Action Films
Chivalry 2
- Released
- June 8, 2021
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Torn Banner Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Tripwire Interactive
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash, Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Chivalry 2 is a multiplayer action game, where players go at each other with swords, crossbows, and even siege weapons. It is also a game that admits to being inspired by medieval movies and popular anachronisms, rather than aiming to depict the Middle Ages accurately. Nevertheless, if players aren't aware of the developer's intentions, they may get the wrong idea about the time period it almost depicts.
For example, armor is all over the place with components from different centuries, the wrong proportions, and unrealistic heraldry. Shields in Chivalry 2 are even worse, with some questionable shapes and materials used in place of wood covered with fabric. Worst of all, in terms of authenticity, but understandable for making a fun game, is how armor counts for little with all weapons slicing through it. Instead of players having to find weak points or beating down opponents with blunt weapons, as is the case in medieval games with the best combat, players can simply hack and slash.
The Plague Tale Series
Spreads The Myth That Rats Spread The Plague
A Plague Tale: Innocence
- Released
- May 14, 2019
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Asobo Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Focus Home Interactive
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
While A Plague Tale: Innocence and A Plague Tale: Requiem are both great stealth adventure games in their own right, with captivating stories and fun gameplay, they get a lot wrong about the Middle Ages. For starters, the outfits are completely wrong, with everyone looking like fantasy adventurers rather than inhabitants of medieval France.
10 Reasons Why Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Could Win Game Of The Year
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is an early frontrunner to win Game of the Year in 2025. Here's what makes the game so great.
More egregiously, however, the swarms of rats that follow Amicia and Hugo around help reinforce the myth that rats spread the Bubonic Plague during the Black Death of the 14th century. While rodents such as gerbils may have played their part in Asia, with their fleas then infecting trade ships, the plague is mostly believed to have spread via humans. Regardless, large swarms of rats would not have taken over France, although it is, of course, a fun gameplay element.
For Honor
Not Even Close To Realistic
For Honor
- Released
- February 14, 2017
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Engine
- AnvilNext 2.0
- Genre(s)
- Action
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4
For Honor is a fun game that pits fighters from different cultures and eras against one another. While at the game's launch, the three main factions were Knights, Vikings, and Samurai, all from the general medieval period, players can now also take on the roles of centurions and gladiators from Ancient Roman history, as well as pirates.
Of course, the fact that these factions are facing each other in the same world is a pretty clear indicator that fans shouldn't expect accuracy. However, one look at the supposedly medieval armor of the knights is enough to make historians weep, and the depiction of Viking warriors is potentially worse. All of this is exacerbated in the gameplay, which, while fun, features spin attacks every other second, topped off with unrealistic finishers.
10 Best Medieval Games To Play After Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
The medieval titles are ideal game choices to play after Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.