10 Best Medieval Sandbox Games (2024)

For hundreds of years, medieval settings have been the stuff of legends. The aesthetic of knights and castles has formed the foundation of the most famous adventures ever crafted, ranging from King Arthur to Robin Hood to Beowulf. The epic scale of these fables is possibly why countless games have crafted massive open worlds based on the Middle Ages. Size isn't everything, though.

Immersion also calls for substance, which is where sandbox titles come in. Though not mutually exclusive with open worlds, these games provide a plethora of activities to engage in. These can be full-blown quests or silly pastimes. They help simulate what life would be like in the game's setting. Few titles attempt this for medieval settings, and fewer still succeed. Several developers mix in fantastical elements to spice things up. As long as players are immersed, however, it doesn't matter.

Updated on August 1, 2024, by Mehrdad Khayyat: Many games touch on the medieval era and choose it as a popular setting over others, but not all of them allow players to explore and experience stories in this setting in their own way, and make decisions that do have consequences.

That being said, players get a good dose of sandbox games every year. No matter if it's coming from a million-dollar company or a one-man indie studio, we have had some stellar sandbox experiences in recent years and a good portion of them are set in the medieval era.

A Real "Choose Your Own Path" Experience

Skyrim

RPG

Action

Adventure

Systems

Platform(s)

PC , PS3 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Xbox One X , Xbox Series S , PS4 , PS5 , Switch

Released

November 11, 2011

Developer(s)

Bethesda

For years, The Elder Scrolls has stood as the ultimate fantasy sim in the eyes of gamers. From Daggerfall to Morrowind to Oblivion to Skyrim, each entry has provided an epic journey dripping with freedom. Fans can go anywhere and do anything at any point. There are weapons to master, spells to learn, and treasures to find. In fact, these rewards are often discovered by going off the beaten path. One minute, players may encounter an ogre swiping a woman's potatoes. Another, they may stumble on an underground Dwarven city filled with hostile automatons. No one knows what's around the next corner, but whatever it is will assuredly catch fans' attention and improve their characters. That's not to say the guided sections are any less engaging.

The Elder Scrolls titles have countless quests and professions to shape one's growth. Players can take up blacksmithing in a quaint village, or fight in a gladiatorial arena. In addition, they can join various factions and become more than just a noble savior. The Thieves' Guild pulls off daring heists, The Dark Brotherhood is a band of cultish hitmen, and the Mages' Guild takes heroes to wizard school. Warrior groups like the Companions may work as mercenaries or aid their fellow brothers in arms. These pursuits all yield worthy rewards, from unique weapons to supernatural transformations. The sky's the limit with Elder Scrolls. While recent entries sadly dial back the role-playing while still suffering the studio's age-old bugs, the unbridled freedom remains alluring.

9 Mount & Blade: Warband

The Beginning Of A War-Focused Sandbox With Plenty Of Mods

Mount & Blade: Warband

Systems

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , Xbox One , Mobile

Released

March 30, 2010

Developer

TaleWorlds Entertainment

While other sandbox titles add a fantasy flair to their sandbox aspects, Mount & Blade: Warband places players in the history books. Specifically, it utilizes the real setting of medieval Calradia. It's obviously less smooth than its contemporaries due to the earlier release, but it sports arguably just as much depth. The main attractions are the battles. Fans engage enemies in the open field or partake in prolonged sieges. Each scenario has several strategies. Commanders can bombard the walls to create breaches, or they can simply break down the front gate. Despite the name, though, warfare isn't the only aspect on offer.

Mount & Blade: Warband also works as a general life sim. Players manage fiefs or properties. To keep these places afloat, they must barter with merchants or engage in elaborate persuasion mechanics with NPCs. This social gameplay is also the path to getting married and having children. Like in real life, this can be a way to continue one's work beyond one's years. If the player character dies, the children inherit the assets. Not only can this be convenient for staving off a "Game Over," but it potentially lets fans continue their fun in perpetuity.

8 Wartales

A Journey-Based, Story-Focused Sandbox

Wartales

RPG

Turn-Based Strategy

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:77/100 Critics Recommend:79%

Platform(s)

PC , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

April 12, 2023

Developer(s)

Shiro Games

Wartales is a journey more like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, though it has a completely different approach to the combat system. At its heart, Wartales has a story to tell, and the ultimate way of experiencing it is to follow that campaign and try to complete the quests.

That being said, Wartales is set in an open-world environment and players have the ability to make decisions on their own. While the player's ultimate focus is on completing their journey with the crew they lead, it could be a quite different adventure for each player based on which companion they welcome to the crew, which contracts they agree to complete, and how they deepen their connection with other members of the gang. Think of it as a mini-Baldur's Gate.

7 Medieval Dynasty

Expansive Medieval Survival With A Touch On Everything

Medieval Dynasty

Open-World

Strategy

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:73/100 Critics Recommend:39%

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

December 17, 2020

Developer

Render Cube

Probably it's best to call the Medieval Dynasty a compact version of Kingdom Come Deliverance. While the game leans on its RPG and survival elements more than anything, it also touches on some other mechanics that one doesn't expect from a survival experience.

The flow of gameplay in the Medieval Dynasty is in a way that it encourages players to a sandbox approach. Quests exist and players must follow them to deepen their relationships with the NPCs, but they can still start building their own village, hunt down animals, and even propose marriage to young ladies, though the last one is not easy at all, especially earlier in the game when the player is almost a nobody.

Bigger, Denser, And More Intense Than Its Predecessor

Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord

Action RPG

Strategy

Systems

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

October 25, 2022

Developer(s)

TaleWorlds Entertainment

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord expands all the ideas from its predecessor and adds more freedom to what players can do. The core gameplay systems are still in place but expect revamped visuals, bigger and more intense battles, and a larger open-world map. Bannerlord also features a campaign mode, which was not the case with its predecessor.

While Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord does not focus on social life or economics much, it delivers a true experience for anyone who wants to feel the power of leading an army in a medieval era. This game allows players to grow as a character and as a clan in a living world. Thanks to its PvP environment, it is pretty difficult to get tired of playing Bannerlord in a short period.

5 Dragon Age

Fantasy Meets Medieval Setting With One-Of-A-Kind Combat System

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Action RPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:88/100 Critics Recommend:92%

Franchise

Dragon Age

Platform(s)

PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , PC

Released

November 18, 2014

Developer(s)

BioWare

The Dragon Age series takes BioWare's depth of world-building and characters and applies it to a medieval fantasy setting. In the developer's typical fashion, many of the exploratory elements stem from the relationships with said characters. These stalwart companions all have their own pursuits within the world, and they can't resist involving the fans. For example, Varric may enlist the hero to help write his book. On the other hand, a party member might indulge in the fictional card game, Wicked Grace. As addictive as these are, they're ultimately small potatoes.

Dragon Age: Inquisition has probably the most satisfying pastimes in the series. This third entry gives players lordship over a castle. This fortress is the hub for not only side quests and activities, but also a handful of management elements with fatal stakes. The Inquisitor sends operatives on vital missions and decides where to delegate their scarce resources. These actions affect relations with the realm's disparate factions. That goes double for the trials. The Inquisitor must also pass judgment on criminals and prisoners of war. Players can cut off offenders' heads, send them into exile, show leniency, or decide some other verdict. Like everything else, this helps or hurts their standing with everyone around, including their allies. More than most sandbox games, Dragon Age emphasizes the consequences of players' decisions.

4 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Story-Rich Sandbox With Lots Of Things To Do Other Than Main Campaign

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

RPG

Action

Adventure

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:93/100 Critics Recommend:95%

Franchise

The Witcher

Platform(s)

Nintendo Switch , PC , PlayStation 4 , PlayStation 5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

May 19, 2015

Developer(s)

CD Projekt Red

The title character may make his living as a monster slayer, but that's far from the only thing on offer in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The endless number of quests place Geralt of Rivia in all manner of bizarre situations, many of which draw from Andrzej Sapkowski's rich novels. Geralt may smuggle mages out of a witch-burning city, or he might resurrect the ghost of a stillborn baby. He could even help certain kings rise to power and make sure others fall. These scenarios are equal parts demented and creative, each one worthy of a ballad.

Players can also have fun with less far-reaching activities with lower stakes. These include fistfighting competitions, horse races, or just getting drunk.

The Blood and Wine DLC deepens these elements further by giving Geralt a vineyard. He can kick back, put his weapons and armor on display, and renovate his property to become the envy of the realm. Of course, many of these options are standard for medieval games, but The Witcher 3 has an ace up its sleeve.

How appropriate that that ace is Gwent. This strategic card game simulates warfare from multiple factions within TheWitcher's world. Geralt can customize his deck and test it against seasoned players from across the Continent. The citizens even hold high-stakes tournaments with these cards. This mini-game takes the whole realm by storm, and it's not hard to see why. Gwent is positively addictive, inviting experimentation in how players position units, manipulate the battlefield to their advantage, and outlast their opponents. It's since spun off into several standalone titles, but it's still among the most involving time sinks in an already-engrossing sandbox.

3 Manor Lords

A Rather Peaceful City-Builder

Manor Lords

Strategy

City Builder

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:72/100 Critics Recommend:60%

Platform(s)

PC , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

April 26, 2024

Developer(s)

Slavic Magic

For those who value building and growing a single city or town rather than an entire dynasty, Manor Lords could be a much better fit. While economics and wars are still important parts of Manor Lords, the game puts more emphasis on building a town and growing it into a bustling city.

Manor Lords gives players total freedom in how they expand their city, where they place the farmlands, how the supplies and resources are managed, and how each ruler manages to keep the residents happy. It is still a complicated experience to succeed in and has a moderately long learning curve, but the game is also a relaxing experience if players play it patiently and don't rush things for faster progression.

2 Crusader Kings 3

Rule The Empire, Raise New Heirs, Defend The Dynasty

Crusader Kings 3

RPG

Grand Strategy

Systems

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Released

September 1, 2020

Developer(s)

Paradox Interactive

Crusader Kings 3 is one of those games that players enjoy even more when they play it in the sandbox mode rather than following the objective-based campaigns. It is the ultimate experience of a 4X in a medieval era, where players face some serious consequences for every decision they make, no matter how ethical it is.

With all the expansions arriving since launch, Crusader Kings 3 now hosts more dynasties and covers a longer timeline in history. The game allows players to build an empire or grow an existing one by playing as its rulers from early ages until their death. Players must think before every action, as the consequences could last for generations. Marriages, heirs, foreign relationships, wars, and economics all matter equally and could lead to the success or failure of an empire in the end.

1 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

The Ultimate "Zero To Hero" Experience

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

RPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:72/100 Critics Recommend:48%

Platform(s)

PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Switch

Released

February 13, 2018

Developer(s)

Warhorse Studios

Aiming for the same approach as Mount & Blade, Kingdom Come: Deliverancedistinguishes itself through historical authenticity. Players are thrust into a peasant's shoes during an explosive conflict in the Czech Republic.

They must slowly work their way up in this hostile world. This progression can come from hunting animals for butchers or collectors, taking gigs as a night watchman, horse racing, or entering tourneys to test one's sword and archery skills. Henry, the protagonist, needs to partake in these tasks to some extent, as practicing skills is the only way to improve them. Thankfully, he has plenty of areas - such as archery ranges and fencing rings - for doing just that. Of course, these are just pastimes.

The main narrative throws players into numerous precarious scenarios and professions of the period. Henry may find himself as an alchemist tending to the sick, a monk translating scriptures in a monastery, or a soldier fighting in the king's army. By the end, fans have some idea of what it was like to live in medieval Bohemia. It's not always exciting, but it is immersive. That's why Kingdom Come resonates. As a purely medieval sandbox rooted in realism, it transcends the rest.