Welcome to 13th century Europe, where we find Manor Lords from Slavic Magic a very unfinished game now out in early access. In Manor Lords you will face the horrors of the past, subsistence farming, infant mortality, dying of exposure and the possibility that Squire Kubik will drink all the ale. This is a special game for me as it combines two of my true nerd crushes, city builders and history. Even in early access, it does both surprisingly well and shows just how much a small developer can accomplish compared to the recent parade of flaming garbage from AAA development studios.

Publisher: Hooded Horse

Developer: Slavic Magic

Platform: Windows: Steam/Epic/GOG/GamePass

Release Date: April 26th 2024 (early access)

Price: $29.99 (Steam on-sale)

Manor Lords is a hybrid strategy game that “allows you to experience the life of a medieval lord.” Although this involves rather more management and less abusing the peasantry than I was hoping for. Inspired by the art and architecture of late 14th century Franconia, now called Bavaria, for all you art majors. Manor Lords attempts to prioritize accuracy where it can. “Modern sensibilities” and modern medieval tropes are avoided in favor of accuracy and it works. While the Middle Ages was not my main area of study I know enough to be impressed, in terms of both the visuals and the economics of the game so I give a hearty “well done” to “solo” developer Greg Styczen, who has by most accounts built the game mostly himself albeit with artistic and technical help. Frankly, the game is more functional in early access than some major titles at launch and it has the feel of a focused project, rather than something built by committee, tweaked by glitter huffing consultants and then run past a gauntlet of focus groups conscripted from under who knows what rock. Styczen knows what he wants to do and is actively working towards it. For example, the ebb and flow of supplies requires a lot of realistic logistics to happen in order for everyone to get their daily bread. Some character in-game actually has to hoof it out to wherever the chow is and haul it back for their family to eat. Need logs for your new house? You have to wait on the guy with the ox and he runs on ox-time, not your time.

Now we see the violence inherent in the system!

The key to success in Manor Lords is understanding Medieval economics, you have to know what is made from what and where it has to travel so it can get there in reasonable time. That said, it’s not so deep that you get lost in the complexity nor so shallow you get into a pattern. In addition to the economics, you also have military and political dimensions to navigate and these work in a manner reminiscent of the Total War series. Keep the bandits under control or they will literally eat your lunch. Is the next lord getting pushy? If so, you better have the forces to stand up to them or your town gets an old school sacking with all the trimmings, like fire, and lots of it.

Down through the village with his broadsword in his hand….

That said, there are some things I don’t care for, mainly in the trade and development system. You only get so many development choices, so you find yourself with silly quandaries, such as choosing between learning how to grow apples or learning how to use an ox-drawn plow. I know it’s a game-play choice but I don’t think is a likely scenario. Likewise, you don’t get a lot of early access to weapons, having to make most of your own even if you are tied into the trade network and have money. The opening opposition is also a bit too well equipped and there wasn’t much I could do except experience the violence inherent in the system. Even so this is very decent as is and I have high hopes that further development will only improve what is an already impressive game.

Bottom line, it’s not only a good game even in early access, but it puts much bigger and more expensive project to shame, showing an impressive level of polish and attention to detail even in early access. I just hope the developer doesn’t get their head turned by the early success and keeps working as they are doing now.

The Good:

Great Concept and execution
Great sound
Impressive polish for early access

The Bad:

Minor POV issues
Steep learning curve

Manor Lords (Early Access) Review