Going Medieval has captured the hearts of many players with its engaging blend of colony simulation, base building, and survival elements, all set against a backdrop of a plague-ravaged world. If you've found yourself drawn to managing a fledgling settlement, defending it from threats, and guiding your villagers through hardship, you're likely looking for more experiences that scratch that same itch. Fortunately, the gaming landscape offers several excellent titles that share key similarities with Going Medieval. This article explores the top 5 best games that capture the spirit of managing and growing a community in challenging environments.
1. RimWorld
Often cited as the gold standard for colony simulation games, RimWorld is an undeniable must-play for fans of Going Medieval. Developed by Ludeon Studios, RimWorld presents players with a procedurally generated world where you manage a group of survivors who have crash-landed on an alien planet. Like Going Medieval, the game focuses on the individual stories of your colonists, each with their own unique traits, skills, and psychological needs. You'll build a base, manage resources, research technology, and defend against raids from hostile factions and creatures. The depth of simulation, the emergent storytelling, and the sheer replayability make RimWorld an exceptional alternative.
RimWorld (PC) CD Key for STEAM - GLOBAL is available in our store
2. Oxygen Not Included
From the creators of Don't Starve, Klei Entertainment, comes Oxygen Not Included, a space-colony simulation game with a unique charm and a surprising amount of depth. While the setting is more sci-fi than medieval, the core gameplay loop of managing a group of duplicants (your colonists) in a hostile environment is very similar. Players must manage oxygen, food, temperature, and stress levels, all while excavating a subterranean asteroid base and researching new technologies. The intricate systems and the emphasis on survival against environmental hazards will appeal to those who enjoy the intricate management challenges of Going Medieval.
3. Factorio
If the base-building and resource management aspects of Going Medieval are what you love most, then Factorio is a game you absolutely must try. Factorio focuses on automation and logistics. You crash-land on an alien planet and must build a factory from scratch to eventually launch a rocket. While it lacks the direct simulation of individual colonist needs found in Going Medieval, the satisfaction of creating complex production lines, optimizing resource flow, and defending your sprawling industrial empire from alien creatures is immense. The sheer scale of what you can build and the intricate problem-solving involved make it a compelling experience.
4. Dwarf Fortress
Considered by many to be the ultimate in complex simulation, Dwarf Fortress is a legendary game that has influenced many of the titles on this list, including Going Medieval itself. It's a free-to-play, incredibly deep colony simulation game where you manage a fortress of dwarves. The game is renowned for its unparalleled detail in simulating world history, geology, combat, and the personal lives of its inhabitants. While its notoriously steep learning curve and ASCII graphics (though graphical tilesets exist) can be daunting, the rewards for mastering Dwarf Fortress are immense. For those who crave the deepest possible simulation of a medieval-style settlement, this is the ultimate challenge.
5. Kenshi
Kenshi offers a unique sandbox experience that blends elements of real-time strategy, role-playing, and survival. Set in a vast, harsh desert world, you control a single character or a squad of characters and must guide them to survival, prosperity, or ruin. You can recruit other characters, build a base, research technologies, and engage in trading or combat. Kenshi shares with Going Medieval the struggle for survival in a brutal world, the importance of base building and resource management, and the freedom to forge your own path. Its open-ended nature and challenging gameplay provide a very compelling experience for those looking for a less directed, more emergent narrative.
Kenshi (PC) CD Key for STEAM - GLOBAL is available in our store
Conclusion
While Going Medieval offers a unique and beloved take on the colony simulation genre, these five games provide excellent alternatives and expansions on its core themes. Whether you're drawn to the intricate individual stories of RimWorld, the scientific challenges of Oxygen Not Included, the industrial might of Factorio, the unparalleled depth of Dwarf Fortress, or the gritty sandbox of Kenshi, there's a wealth of engaging gameplay waiting for you. Each of these titles offers a distinct flavour of base-building, survival, and community management that will keep you hooked for hours on end in 2026.
