Summary
Strategy games are some of the oldest humans have played, including the likes of chess. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that the virtual versions of strategy games are popular, sometimes taking the top spot over other games that have received more attention - and that includesManor Lords. The medievalstrategy gameManor Lordsis currently at number 2 on Steam’s Wishlist, surpassingHollow Knight: Silksong, and only just behind Supergiant Games’Hades 2,which currently stands at the top.
Manor Lordsis anindie gamethat takes place in a medieval European setting and is inspired by the time period between the 11th and 14th centuries. The developer, Slavic Magic, is using Unreal Engine to bring the world ofManor Lordsto life, giving the setting stunning detail. With the technology of Unreal Engine, Slavic Magic is using real-life references to bring historical accuracy toManor Lords, so that building houses, towns, farms, and armies will be as strategic and realistic as possible.
Manor Lords is About Settlements with Strategy
Much like in some of thebest grand strategy gamesout there, the idea is to settle an area and build it up by cutting down trees, building, farming, and increasing the population. With prosperity come rivals, so a key part ofManor Lordsis defending land, and eventually taking new land to expand. Challenges include the changing seasons and weather, bandits, rival armies, resources, and anything else you’d expect from medieval Europe.
Building New Trade Routes in Manor Lords
Planning out farms, towns, and cities seems to be an immersive experience as Slavic Magic has decided to go gridless. Plotting roads and buildings still snaps into place and can be rotated, so the function of a grid exists while making the aesthetics of the environment better. Strategy comes into the placement of these settlements, and trade routes will develop along where players place these paths.
Manor Lords is a Refreshing Change in the Landscape of Strategy Games
Employing Military Strategy and Tactics
An aspect ofManor Lordsthat stands apart from settlement building is battles between armies. Slavic Magic has stated that it aims to portray realistic battles, and the battles will be influenced by real-world factors such as weather, fatigue, and tactics.Battles between armies have long been a core of strategy games, and they’re often one of the most popular parts of these games.Manor Lordshas to get this part of the game right if it wants to live up to player expectations.
The Tech of Manor Lords is Impressive
Thanks to advancements in technology, the animation ofManor Lordsalso looks really solid. Slavic Magic has approached its animation using a combination of motion capture and 3D animation, in particular for its battle scenes, to capture a feeling of realism. And, just as everything needs to be built, destruction will happen as well. Slavic Magic has run destruction simulations using Houdini to create realistic scenes of chaos, though the program has also been reverse-engineered for construction purposes as well.
Manor Lords' Success on Steam Explained
Manor Lordshas a planned release date of July 26, 2025, on PC. On July 27, 2025, it had already been added to 2 million wishlists on Steam. This means that the top three wishlist games on Steam are currently:
All thetop three wishlist games on Steam are by indie developers, and it is a positive sign overall that the industry is growing. Players have shown their interest in games beyond the AAA market, and that small, contained, single-player experiences still very much have an interested and active audience.
Hades 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The first-ever sequel from Supergiant Games builds on the best aspects of the original god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler in an all-new, action-packed, endlessly replayable experience rooted in the Underworld of Greek myth and its deep connections to the dawn of witchcraft. BATTLE BEYOND THE UNDERWORLDAs the immortal Princess of the Underworld, you’ll explore a bigger, deeper mythic world, vanquishing the forces of the Titan of Time with the full might of Olympus behind you, in a sweeping story that continually unfolds through your every setback and accomplishment.MASTER WITCHCRAFT AND DARK SORCERYInfuse your legendary weapons of Night with ancient magick, so that none may stand in your way. Become stronger still with powerful Boons from more than a dozen Olympian gods, from Apollo to Zeus. There are nearly limitless ways to build your abilities.MINGLE WITH (MORE) GODS, GHOSTS, AND MONSTERSMeet a cast of dozens of fully-voiced, larger-than-life characters, including plenty of new faces and some old friends. Grow closer to them through a variety of new interactions, and experience countless unique story events based on how your journey unfolds.EVERY RUN IS ITS OWN ADVENTURENew locations, challenges, upgrade systems, and surprises await as you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld again and again. Reveal the mysteries of the Arcana Altar, tame witchy familiars, and gather reagents using Tools of the Unseen to get closer to your goal.THE PERKS OF IMMORTALITYThanks to a variety of permanent upgrades and the return of God Mode, you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience whatHades IIhas to offer. But if you happen to be one, you’re able to brave escalating challenges for greater rewards, and prove just how divine you really are.
