Introduction
Since its release on June 1, 2021, Going Medieval lets players rebuild society in a wild, post-plague world. With in-depth colony management and strong mod support, it stands alongside hits like RimWorld and Dwarf Fortress. In this full review, we’ll look at every part of its medieval sandbox, compare it to similar games, and break down what the community’s Mostly Positive (75% of 82 recent) and Very Positive (89% of 14,800 all-time) reviews tell us.
Story and Setting
After a deadly plague wipes out most people, a few survivors emerge into a lawless Dark Age. As you lead these settlers—each with their own traits, needs, and skills—toward building a successful stronghold, the story grows naturally. You’ll tame the wild, fight off bandits, and bring order without relying on scripted events.
Gameplay Mechanics
- Base Construction: Utilize 3D terrain tools to carve out underground tunnels, build soaring stone keeps, or even flood sections to impede invaders. From workshops to chapels, every building serves a purpose.
- Colonist Management: Each settler has a personality profile—skills like Animal Handling or Brawling, personal beliefs, and daily needs. For example, micromanaging Grimbold the Swineherd’s diet or assigning him as a guard exemplifies the depth on offer.
- Combat and Defense: Survive raids by constructing walls, traps, and military gear. Furthermore, real-time command and scripted patrols let you tailor defense to your colonists’ capabilities.
- Sandbox & Modding: Thanks to procedural maps, each playthrough feels unique. Meanwhile, the built-in mod tools empower you to expand tech trees, introduce new biomes, or even overhaul combat mechanics.
Comparison with Similar Titles
While RimWorld excels at emergent storytelling and Dwarf Fortress offers unmatched procedural depth, Going Medieval bridges the gap with a more accessible interface and robust 3D building. By contrast, unlike Banished—which focuses heavily on resource chains—Going Medieval emphasizes defensive strategy and moddable content. Its visual fidelity also surpasses both, though at times at the expense of performance on large maps.
User Reviews and Community Feedback
On Steam, 89% of all-time reviewers laud its creativity and depth, while recent feedback (75%) remains positive but notes growing pains. Common praise centers on:
- Modding Freedom: A frequent highlight is the ease of adding new content.
- Visual Customization: Players appreciate the 3D terrain shaping and varied building materials.
- Colony Depth: The complex needs and relationships of settlers keep each playthrough fresh.
However, key criticisms include occasional pathfinding hiccups, UI clunkiness under heavy builds, and sporadic performance dips on larger settlements. Fortunately, the development team’s rapid patch cadence has addressed many issues, earning community goodwill.
Visuals and Audio
Graphically, Going Medieval offers detailed stone textures, dynamic lighting, and seasonal changes. At the same time, its soundtrack blends ambient medieval lute melodies with tense battle drums. Complementing this, environmental noises—from chirping crickets to howling wolves—enhance immersion.
Modding and Replayability
Thanks to procedural generation and a robust modding toolkit, no two campaigns feel the same. Moreover, from quality-of-life mods (improved UI overlays) to total conversions (fantasy realms, sci-fi settlers), community content extends longevity far beyond vanilla play.
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Strengths: Deep colony simulation, intuitive 3D construction, strong mod support, active developer updates.
- Weaknesses: Occasional pathfinding/UI issues, performance drops with complex builds, some rough edges in late‑game pacing.
Conclusion
Overall, Going Medieval stands out as a meticulously crafted colony sim that rewards thorough planners and creative builders. While it may not eclipse the narrative serendipity of RimWorld or the roguelike complexity of Dwarf Fortress, it stakes its own claim with superior visuals, mod flexibility, and a satisfying medieval survival challenge. With a strong community backing and steady updates, it remains a must-play for fans of colony management and sandbox creativity.
