Cover-Credits:
Steam
Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game that blends city-building with real-time tactics and complex economic and social simulations. Released on 26th April, it was the most anticipated game on Steam at the time with over 3 million wishlists. At the time of writing, the game has a 89% "Mostly Positive" rating with over 20,000 reviews on Steam.
What is Manor Lords All About?
In the game, you take on the role of a medieval lord in late 14th century Franconia. You'll start with a small village and will need to grow it into a bustling city by managing resources, production chains, and happy citizens. You can also expand your lands through conquest if you're feeling militaristic. The game strives for historical accuracy, avoiding common medieval tropes in favor of a more realistic and immersive experience.
Manor Lords is currently in Early Access on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It has received very positive reviews on Steam, with many praising its depth and complexity.
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.
How Manor Lords Separates Itself From Other City-Building Sims
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.
Spreading outward from a central marketplace, build your residential, commercial, and industrial districts following the natural lay of the land. Establish farms based on soil fertility, position hunting grounds according to animal populations, and ensure access to adequate resource deposits and forests to provide the raw materials needed for growth.
Assign areas for housing and watch your residents build their homes in accordance with the historical burgage plot system. Each area will be subdivided based on your roads and the allotted space, and homes will scale accordingly.
Build extensions behind larger homes to generate resources that would not otherwise be available. Homeowners don't just pay taxes – they grow vegetables, raise chickens and goats, and otherwise supply themselves and other townsfolk with essential needs beyond what your managed farms, pastures, and industries can provide.
Guide your settlements through the unique demands and opportunities of each season, enjoying the bounty brought by spring rains and preparing for the harsh snows of winter.
