Going Medieval

About

"Going Medieval" is a single-player historical open world game with a good plot and atmospheric graphics, set in a post-calamity age where you must help survivors rebuild society. Construct and expand your fortress using 3D terrain tools, and defend your colony against external threats in this open-ended, replayable experience, despite its grinding and optimization issues.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+10

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,625 reviews

gameplay259 positive mentions

grinding169 negative mentions

Engaging building mechanics that allow for intricate and customizable structures in a 3D environment.
Active development with regular updates and community engagement from the developers.
Unique gameplay elements such as a research system that requires physical books, adding depth to the colony management experience.

AI pathfinding issues lead to settlers getting stuck or taking inefficient routes, causing frustration.
Limited endgame content and repetitive gameplay can lead to a lack of long-term engagement.
Performance issues arise with larger populations, causing lag and stuttering during gameplay.

gameplay
1,013 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The gameplay of "Going Medieval" has been described as a blend of familiar mechanics from colony simulation games like RimWorld, with a focus on settlement building in a 3D environment. Players appreciate the depth of construction options, including multi-level building and resource management, but some find the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks the complexity of its inspirations. While the game shows promise with regular updates and engaging mechanics, many reviewers note that it still feels early in development, with several core features and depth yet to be fully realized.
- “The game's voxel-based construction system allows you to design intricate fortresses, underground bunkers, or sprawling villages, while its dynamic seasons, resource management, and defensive challenges keep gameplay engaging and fresh.”
- “The core gameplay mechanics are already well worked out.”
- “Going Medieval is a joy to play, and rather addicting with its 3-dimensional building mechanics, to its charming low-poly character textures and seasonal changes.”
- “The gameplay is where this game really feels like early access, which is not a 'huh, this was it?' moment.”
- “The mechanics are all over the place and the level of depth is minor.”
- “The gameplay is too bare-bones to be considered a game.”
graphics
574 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The graphics of "Going Medieval" are characterized by a charming low-poly art style that effectively captures the medieval theme, offering a visually appealing experience despite some criticisms of simplicity and occasional clarity issues. While many players appreciate the aesthetic and the vibrant environments, some have noted performance concerns and a need for further optimization, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the game is seen as a visually engaging alternative to similar titles like RimWorld, with potential for improvement as it continues to develop.
- “The graphics are detailed and create a believable and immersive medieval world.”
- “The game has a charming, low-poly art style that blends beautifully with the medieval theme.”
- “The graphics are simple but still really nice and the actions by the NPCs look fluid.”
- “The graphics are basic and blocky.”
- “From the very start, the graphics put you off.”
- “The graphics are bad in a way that it's hard to separate different items from each other.”
story
218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
80%
5%
The game's story aspect is largely minimal, with many players noting a lack of a structured narrative or engaging quests, leading to a feeling of emptiness over time. While there are hints of a backstory and unique character traits, the emergent storytelling does not reach the depth found in similar games like RimWorld. Players often find themselves creating their own narratives through gameplay, but express a desire for more dynamic events and a richer storyline to enhance their experience.
- “The game’s dynamic storytelling, where every decision shapes the destiny of your medieval settlers, adds a compelling layer.”
- “I love how unique your various villagers are and all the writing for their perks and backstory flavor.”
- “The story is a good premise, and really builds the storytelling in a deeper way than RimWorld ever did for me.”
- “There are hints of a larger backstory about the collapse of the world and the new medieval age, though the story is more in the background and left to the player’s imagination.”
- “Right now the most enjoyable thing to do is build interesting villages, but the townsfolk interaction and general story building of the game leaves something to be desired.”
- “The current story events are bland: 'person has escaped from prison, help them and suffer a raid or get a mental debuff', 'one religion doesn't like you so they sent a raiding party', 'bandits show up to take your stuff', etc.”
grinding
177 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
3%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it slow-paced and tedious due to extensive micromanagement and repetitive tasks. While some enjoy the relaxing elements of farming and building, others feel overwhelmed by the need to constantly manage settlers and resources, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game offers engaging mechanics but suffers from a lack of quality-of-life features that could alleviate the grind.
- “It's not too grindy but also not too quick with progression.”
- “Building feels easy, resource gathering can be difficult but not grindy, feels simple to play at first (to a RimWorld player anyway) but there is really a lot going on.”
- “Having entire rooms or pre-built buildings would be nice as well given how tedious it can be to build any kind of complex structure.”
- “The entire game is built around a handful of villagers who have to do everything -- often without the right skills -- and quickly becomes about very tedious micromanagement.”
- “Progression is really slow and grindy.”
- “The game is made very tedious via a set of system mechanics where you have to learn and track which peasants are good at what and what level they are and what they are 'passionate' about in each skill so that you can assign the correct peasant to the correct task.”
optimization
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
60%
26%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues, especially as settlements grow beyond a small size. Many experience stuttering, high GPU usage, and AI pathfinding problems, which detract from the overall enjoyment. While some users note improvements over time, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization work to enhance stability and performance, particularly in late-game scenarios.
- “The overall performance for this game is refreshing and very enjoyable.”
- “For such a small game, the performance and features are astounding.”
- “It definitely needs bigger maps and better optimization though.”
- “Honestly, I love this game, but the performance/optimization is so poor that it's practically impossible to play beyond 10 people and a few animals.”
- “The game really does start to bog down performance-wise once you reach a certain number of settlers - especially if you are running at 3x speed.”
- “However, there is one very large issue with the game, which will make me not recommend the game: the game performance creates an implicit end game!”
music
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The music in the game is generally appreciated for its calming and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a charming medieval vibe. However, many players express a desire for more variety and additional tracks, as the current soundtrack can feel repetitive and underwhelming. While some find the music to be a pleasant backdrop, others feel it lacks engagement and depth compared to other titles in the genre.
- “The soundtrack is understated but effective.”
- “The sound design complements the visuals nicely, with ambient sounds and music that enhance the immersive quality of the game.”
- “The music is great too.”
- “I do wish there was more variation available in terms of in-game music.”
- “The soundtrack is underwhelming and repetitive.”
- “The music is the worst part of the game but lucky you can mute it if it gets too much.”
stability
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
The game is currently in early access and exhibits a range of stability issues, including frequent bugs, glitches, and performance problems, particularly with AI pathing and combat mechanics. While some players report a relatively smooth experience, many others experience significant lag, freezing, and crashes, especially as gameplay progresses. Overall, the game shows promise but requires substantial improvements to its stability before it can be fully recommended.
- “For sure, the game is in early access, but is already more fleshed out, bug-free, and polished than some AAA titles these days.”
- “The game is mostly bug-free (that is, there are bugs but nothing that really breaks the game) and I like how the combat system works; I would say that part is more enjoyable than RimWorld already.”
- “It's been stable and very bug-free on my mid-level setup.”
- “The addition of water into the game was a marvel, but the implementation is buggy at best and somewhat lazy.”
- “First of all is the combat, which currently is the worst aspect of this game. It is largely RNG-based, very buggy, and very frustrating. Every time there is a combat situation, I have to repeatedly load saves because a settler has been one-hit killed or something else has gone wrong. This leads to the combat becoming a massive drag.”
- “It's still a little buggy due to it being early access, but that's to be expected.”
replayability
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The game boasts strong replayability, with players highlighting its extensive customization options, diverse scenarios, and varying gameplay mechanics that encourage multiple playthroughs. Despite being in early access, many users report enjoying dozens of hours of gameplay, with the potential for even more as updates and new features are introduced. While some players note that the game could benefit from additional content to enhance replay value, the overall consensus is that it offers a rich and engaging experience that keeps players coming back.
- “Two different beliefs, four different biomes, preferences of the settlers, a friendship system, temperature and weather being calculated in real-time, neighboring tribes and settlements, a sprawling research tree, and many more things make it very replayable.”
- “Even in its early access stage, the game offers a wealth of enjoyment, boasting considerable replay value thanks to its extensive customization options.”
- “The game is infinitely replayable, and definitely worth buying at full price.”
- “However, in its current state, it is missing many of the finer features of those games that give them infinite replay value.”
- “Lategame gets rather boring, but starting a new world always brings a new challenge, providing for a lot of replayability.”
- “Gameplay wise, it was fun at first, but there is no replayability in the design.”
humor
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
10%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky AI behavior and pathfinding issues, which players find both amusing and frustrating. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to generate funny situations, such as settlers' odd actions and the ability to name characters humorously, contributing to an overall lighthearted experience. While some aspects of the humor may stem from bugs or inefficiencies, players appreciate these moments as part of the game's charm.
- “Gather 'round as I regale thee with my tale of 'Going Medieval,' a game that'll have thee laughing 'til thy sides ache!”
- “Tasks are queued up in a hilariously inefficient order, with a single hauler running back and forth multiple times to gather up piles of sticks instead of taking the shortest path to the next pile of sticks.”
- “On day two I was killed by a deer while hunting a different deer... too funny (and sad).”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
- “I expected more laughs, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
- “The humor is outdated and doesn't resonate with today's audience.”
atmosphere
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
20%
12%
The game excels in creating a rich medieval atmosphere, characterized by beautiful visuals, immersive sound design, and dynamic weather effects that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the calming yet engaging environment, which supports long sessions of building and management while providing a cozy and relaxing ambiance. The attention to detail in the historical setting and the presence of trading elements further contribute to a unique and enjoyable atmosphere.
- “It does a great job of setting a calm, almost melancholic atmosphere, making it perfect for long sessions of building and managing.”
- “The atmosphere, weather, and lighting are beautiful.”
- “The shadows from the clouds moving overhead, the plants changing based on the season, the weather events, and the overall 'warmth' and atmosphere of the game is very nice and can be relaxing.”
- “The sound design is also well done, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “While not really varied all that much, the music does give atmosphere to the game without pulling you out of the experience.”
- “Aside from that, this game has a very cozy atmosphere and I am certain the possibility to expand above and below ground makes for a fun game.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
84%
16%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' experiences of attachment to characters and the impact of their actions, leading to moments of heartfelt connection and emotional turmoil. Many users appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings through touching interactions and the struggles of characters, while some express a desire for deeper emotional engagement and a more wholesome experience. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of emotional highs and lows, with potential for growth in its storytelling and character development.
- “I knew their dress style and preferences, actually knew their personalities, had an emotional attachment to certain citizens' growth and well-being.”
- “This is kind of heartbreaking honestly since I personally like to build a lot.”
- “Some touching moments.”
- “Heartfelt.”
- “Emotional rollercoaster.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the game's monetization strategy is perceived as a cash grab, with excessive advertising overshadowing its potential. Players express frustration over the lack of meaningful updates and features, suggesting that the developers prioritize profit over quality and player experience. Overall, the focus on aggressive marketing rather than game development has led to disappointment among users.
- “They usually either walk away on a cash grab or flounder with a successful launch money and not put effort into enlisting a pro dev team and sit on fat stacks not doing their customers justice.”
- “The game has so much potential, but it's just a fast cash grab.”
- “A tech demo, a cash grab, and then a fast getaway.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the depth and complexity of the medieval world, others feel it lacks meaningful character progression and distinct personalities. The game is primarily focused on city building and survival mechanics, leading to a desire for more engaging character interactions akin to those found in other titles like RimWorld. Overall, the absence of robust character development detracts from the immersive experience for some players.
- “The detailed art style and charming character designs bring the medieval world to life, while the game's depth and complexity provide ample opportunities for exploration and experimentation.”
- “Seems they focused more on the RPG and character development aspect of the game.”
- “You have character development, survival, building, strategy, and crafting all together.”
- “A pure city/settlement builder--no character development or role playing to speak of.”
- “As much as I love this game so far, the one thing it is missing is the character development and the different personalities of each character to cause you to re-think how to build, where to room individuals, etc. In RimWorld, I feel like I knew every single citizen in the game.”
- “Good game if you like city building sims, I like everything except for the low poly character designs. Maybe there will be a separate version of the game in the near future that includes fully rendered characters, even if it's in the art style of the developers' choice.”