Games Where You Can Be a Medieval Peasant (and Survive)

The Middle Ages weren’t all about knights in shining armour, tournaments, and tales of dragons.

For most people of that time, life was far less heroic — filled with hard labour from dawn to dusk, hunger, harsh winters, and all sorts of dangers. And yet — or maybe because of that — games that let you step into the worn shoes of a medieval peasant (or at least someone starting out at the very bottom of the social ladder) can be surprisingly captivating.

These are games that take the medieval era seriously — so before you draw your sword, expect mud, tough choices, and a world that won’t go easy on you. Ready for some games where you can be a medieval peasant? Let’s dive in!

How We Chose These Games

When putting together this list, we focused on titles that offer a different perspective on the Middle Ages — one that’s less about enchanted swords and dragons, and more grounded in historical or semi-realistic depictions of life in that era.

Whether it’s building and managing a village or following the personal story of someone trying to survive in the brutal world of 15th-century Europe, each of these games offers something meaningful.

We also looked for gameplay variety, so there’s something here for everyone — from classic city builders to narrative-heavy RPGs. What ties them all together? None of these games sugarcoats medieval life. You’ll have to work for your progress — and that’s exactly what makes it so satisfying.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Release Date: June 11, 2019

Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure

How We Chose These Games

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

Medieval Dynasty

Banished

Going Medieval

The Guild 3

A Plague Tale: Innocence

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Life is Feudal: Your Own

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Pentiment

Crusader Kings III

Graveyard Keeper - Stranger Sins

The Lords of the Fallen

Stonehearth

Stronghold HD

Conclusion