Looking for a good medieval RTS

[Phonesis]

Want to get into a good medieval RTS game. I've heard a few names mentioned but wondered if anyone could recommendation something?

Want a game that lets you play out large scale medieval battles with archers, cavalry, and infantry units. Perhaps even with ability to play out famous battles from history like 1066 etc.

Not so fussed about the economy/empire management aspects. Just one with good battlefield gameplay. Even better if it lets you record your battles and comes with some sort of editor for creating your own missions etc.

 

[Phonesis]

Battlefield gameplay: Total War series.

Nice one. So guessing Medieval II: Total War? Still the best?

 

[Phonesis]

I've got my heart set on the medieval period for some reason and really don't want unrealistic magic/wizard/mage elements. Kind of want a sim level medieval RTS. Kind of like what a game like Men of War is to WW2 RTS games.

I just love idea of defending a realm (ideally England) against invading armies etc of that time period with the ability to invade France etc and re-enact battles from the sort of Hundred Years war period with Longbows, sieges, etc.

Not entirely sure anything exists... sounds like although it's old Medieval 2 is the one to try.

Anyone know what they use in that tv show where people come on to try and win famous battle re-enactments with historians providing a commentary etc? (Edit, it was called Time Commanders)

 

[Phonesis]

Medieval II: Total War is exactly this. You can start out as England and you have to defend and expand from there. The tutorial starts you off in 1066 at Hastings (I think) and goes on from there. What you've described is what you'll get if you play Medieval II. It also doesn't look that bad and you can mod it as well. Stainless Steel is meant to be one of the best mods:

http://www.moddb.com/mods/stainless-steel

I picked up Medieval II in the last Steam Sale for under £5. I haven't played a huge amount because I ended up picking up Total War: Warhammer for $12 in the Humble Monthly bundle last month and have played that instead. Hope this helps!

Sounds perfect then! Nice one pointing me in the direction of that mod too. I'll pick it up on Steam. It's about £15 atm I think.

 

[Phonesis]

slightly different style of RTS, as you can drop in 1st/3rd person and control your hero character directly, but you should check out 'Mount and blade: Warband' if you're not aware of it

http://store.steampowered.com/app/48700/

Edit: just noticed it's listed as an RPG, but certainly borrows aspects of RTS gameplay

That looks very interesting. Is it set in Europe during the medieval time period then or a fantasy realm? Might try it along with Medieval 2: Total War.

I tried a demo on Steam of Medieval 2 and was impressed. Still looks good graphically to me, only the HUD seems out of date as it's a low res in places. Played the Agincourt battle and once i worked out the controls was doing well. Exactly what i was after pretty much.

In the full game, can you record battles to make machinima style vids without the hud etc? I'd love to be able to create custom battles too where I set the troop numbers etc.

 

[Phonesis]

It's a sort of psuedo europe: no wyverns/ogres etc., but place names have been changed, basically you are the monarch/ commander in chief of a kingdom, and you can engage in/avoid conflict depending on your answers to RPG style dialogue. In battle, you can either let the battle play out (blindly), or be on the battlefield with them, leading the charge (including standing back and watching if you wish). You can manage (hire/fire/equip) the fighters in your horde, and can tell them to charge.

Just been having a quick look for some more info for you, and noticed they've announced a sequel (release TBA) called 'Mount and Blade: Bannerlord'....which you may wish to wait for!

also noticed on the wiki, that you can download the full game, and play up to level 7 without a key, as a try-before-you-buy!
link to DL here:
https://www.taleworlds.com/en/Games/Warband/Download

Awesome thanks for the info!