The 10 Best Strategy Games Set in Medieval and Ancient Times

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Introduction

Few eras captivate historians and history enthusiasts like Antiquity and the Medieval period. These two periods together cover 2,000 years and saw the growth, decline, and rebirth of powerful empires and civilizations, including the Greek, Roman, Persian, and Macedonian. Remarkable leaders emerged, nations were built, religions flourished and faded, and warfare constantly evolved. These eras are incredibly compelling, and their impact can still be felt today. Let’s explore some games that truly capture the spirit of these times – games that even historical figures like Alexander the Great and Caesar would enjoy!

If you enjoy games set in different eras, explore my lists for thousands of recommendations tailored to your interests!

10 – Ancestors Legacy

I have a fun memory: Ancestors Legacy was one of the very first games I reviewed for Firaxis! This real-time strategy game is set in the High Middle Ages and does something special – it takes the squad-based combat you see in games like Company of Heroes and successfully applies it to this historical setting. The single-player campaign is really varied, with everything from small fights to huge castle sieges, sneaky missions, and retaliatory attacks. But what I found most interesting is how much the game emphasizes terrain and ambushes, and includes tactics like flanking, stealth, and charging – things that were really important during this time period, but often overlooked in other games.

9 – Age of Empires: Definitive Edition

The original Age of Empires: Definitive Edition often gets overlooked, despite being incredibly important in shaping the real-time strategy genre and launching one of the most famous strategy game series ever. It’s easy to forget its impact because its sequel was so exceptional. Still, the original remains a top 10 strategy game focused on ancient and medieval settings. It’s one of the few games that lets you command civilizations like Greece, Rome, Egypt, Babylon, and Carthage. With vibrant visuals, tons of content, and responsive controls, Age of Empires continues to be a fantastic strategy game to play even in 2026.

8 – Praetorians

I’ve played a lot of games I remember fondly, but Praetorians really stood out. Released in 2003, this real-time tactics game was unique for its time, especially because it focused on strategic formations and battlefield control instead of the usual base-building found in most strategy games. Set in ancient Rome, it was a refreshing change from what I was used to playing in the 90s.

The game puts you in charge of Roman armies fighting across historical locations like Egypt, Gaul, and Italy. You’ll command familiar units – legionaries, archers, cavalry, and support troops – each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Battles are small-scale, limited to around a dozen units, so smart tactics and choosing your battles carefully are key. I remember finding it challenging as a kid because I was used to games like Age of Empires and Red Alert where I’d just overwhelm opponents with numbers. That strategy didn’t work here, and I never completed the campaign. It’s still on my list of games I want to finish, and I hope to get around to it soon.

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2026-01-24 17:43