The early access release of Going Medieval on June 1 was greeted with a quick rise in popularity, with new players swiftly becoming invested in the colony management and strategy gameplay it provides. However, Going Medieval has many gameplay elements that blur the lines between genres, so some may be wondering what genre it falls into.
Going Medieval was released in early access for PC on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. In the short time since, the game has seen a rapid growth, becoming one of the top sellers on the Steam store and earning "Very Positive" reviews. Players engage with several different systems, from terrain editing and fortress building to ensuring the survival of colonists through the use of traps, defenses and essential supplies. They'll also have to consider factors like hunger, warmth and even the emotional state of colonists in order to succeed.
Going Medieval's farming sim akin to Stardew Valley, and it also has the trappings of survival games, RTSs, and even life sims like The Sims, but it's really none of those - at least not in its entirely.
What Makes Going Medieval Distinct From Similar Games
Going Medieval most closely resembles city-building games like City: Skylines, where the player's goal is to construct a thriving town and keep its inhabitants alive and well, but it does include many elements of these other genres. Players begin each Going Medieval game with only three colonists and a small, empty field, as well as basic supplies to get them started. From there, they're tasked with building a successful colony that can survive everything from the elements to invading forces.
Because of the need for consistent supplies in order to stay on top of villagers' necessities, farming is an important part of the early game, but it's only part of the experience. The core of Going Medieval involves balancing all the various factors of a society in order to improve the colony. Things like gathering wood, research and construction are also tasks that warrant focus, as is defending the city from enemy NPCs.
That said, it's not Age of Empires, either. The player's own society is the focus, rather than enemy civilizations, to the point that players are even able to physically shape individual structures, building custom, multi-storied buildings and castles. In addition to "City builder," the game's Steam store tags list it as a "Colony Sim," which is perhaps the best description for it. Players are in charge of most aspects of building their civilization, from deg buildings to keeping the community healthy and happy. While farming sim and traditional RTS fans may find Going Medieval worthwhile, the game will most likely speak more to those who enjoy city builders and survival games.
