These are the medieval strategy games we kept logging back into after the review period ended. Two descend from the Travian family tree, one invented the nobleman, two are castle builders with polished event calendars, and one trades history for dragons. Each card shows our scores, how much time a normal week asks and where it runs.
Start here01The game that made the nobleman famous. You grow one small medieval village, raise spear fighters and heavy cavalry, then use noblemen to drain the loyalty of rival villages until they flip to your side. Tribes coordinate everything, from overnight defence to dawn takeovers, and the whole map slowly fills with their colours.
Deepest economy02The long-running village builder where your choice of tribe shapes everything. Romans, Gauls, Teutons, Huns, Egyptians and Spartans each play differently, four resources feed your growth, and alliances race through a months-long round towards building a Wonder of the World. Patient, economic and intensely cooperative.
Best-looking castle03A bright, busy castle builder from Goodgame Studios. Over sixty buildings, more than fifty military units, commanders you equip with armour and weapons, and four kingdoms to expand into as you grow, from the Great Empire to the Everwinter Glacier. Weekly updates and regular events mean there is always a new goal on the board.
Best for teams04Travian's younger sibling splits players into kings and governors. Kings protect a territory and lead armies; governors build, trade and pay tribute in return. Three tribes, robber camps to raid, treasures to collect and a race for the Wonders of the World give each round a clear story from beginner protection to the final push.
Best on the go05Xyrality's medieval strategy MMO was built with phones in mind and still plays beautifully in short windows. Start with one simple castle, upgrade it into a fortress, recruit knights and foot soldiers, research new technologies and complete missions, while an alliance of hundreds of players coordinates campaigns across a large real-time map.
Fantasy pick06Scorewarrior's empire builder adds monsters, magic and heroes to medieval war. Develop a city, research at the academy, lead captains with their own skills and attack through portals placed anywhere on the map. Clans clash in weekly contests for the throne, and crypts, dragons and titans keep the open world crowded.
