City Tales - Medieval Era

Unfortunately I cannot recommend the game in its current unplayable state. There is apparently an optimization issue where the game will max out your CPU and GPU usage. The fact that this game has been out for several months and they're prioritizing content updates over genuinely game breaking performance issues is very disheartening to me as I was very excited for this game's release. My review will change if this ever gets fixed but I can't recommend a game I can't play. If you want to see if your computer is lucky enough to be free of this issue, make sure you test the game out before the steam refund policy expires. And do not buy via fanatical as that will further decrease your chances of a refund.

If you love historical city builders, City Tales: Medieval Era hits all the right notes. What really sets it apart is the unique district mechanism, instead of just painting endless roads and spamming buildings, you actually have to plan specialized sectors that synergize with each other. It adds a brilliant layer of tactic to your layout that keeps the gameplay incredibly fresh, creating visions of a bustling medieval Kingdom! The visuals are stunning, and the companion story quests are deeply engaging, giving you a real reason to care about your citizens and companions!

One of the best RTS games I've ever played. It has a wonderful story that made the pacing of the game (unlocks/progression/city growth) absolutely perfect. The way your city can be shaped how you want it but still have this beautiful almost randomness to its growth is so cool; you make districts with plots inside each one but your little npc citizens decide what each plot looks like and where things go. It makes every hamlet feel unique but still part of the same big picture, PRO TIP: Make all your districts 5-7 plot size or smaller. Don't go bigger until you are just going for population in the late game. I made my districts too big from the jump and it made things harder as the game progressed. It tells you this early on but I ignored it thinking bigger is better lol. Farms are especially tricky because the natural inclination is to make those huge. DON'T. 5 plot size is the best size for each farm.

It is not a city builder, just a fun puzzle, what mascarade for a city builder. At around 10 hours become waiting simulator, if you will plan you can claim all achievement around 15 hours, i spend 20 )

Neither is this a City Builder nor is there Economy. Its a nice looking puzzle game.

I really enjoyed this game and would highly recommend giving it a try, especially if you're looking for a story-driven city builder that is relaxed and accessible. The game offers a lot of guidance and doesn't punish the player heavily with harsh survival mechanics, roguelike systems, or complex management layers. One thing the game lacks is a traditional technology or research tree. However, this is compensated for by the gameplay loop of expanding a central city while developing smaller surrounding settlements called Hamlets. Watching your domain grow from a small settlement into a thriving region is very satisfying. Housing needs are relatively straightforward. Citizens mainly require coverage from aura-based service buildings such as Wells, Markets, Theaters, Schools, Hospitals, and Churches. Most raw materials, processed goods, and food products are instead used to upgrade buildings and expand your settlement. The Companion system is one of the more unique mechanics. Companions initially operate production buildings until they become automated. As they gain experience, they level up and become more efficient, helping you progress faster. Since companions are limited in number, deciding where to assign them remains important throughout much of the game. I also appreciated the diversity among the characters. There is a good mix of men, women, and people from different cultures. That said, I would personally like to see even more diversity and variety in future content. A common criticism I've seen in other reviews is that the game can be time-consuming. While every game requires time, I do think there are moments where progression could be adjusted. Additional followers, technology systems, or more impactful monument rewards could help reduce some of the downtime. Currently, there are periods where the player can become fairly idle while waiting for progression. That said, if you enjoy taking in the sights of your city, you can freely zoom in and explore it from a closer perspective, which adds a lot of charm. The story itself is enjoyable and kept me engaged throughout the campaign. The music is pleasant, although I would have liked a bit more variety and a few more energetic tracks mixed in with the softer themes. One downside is the lack of voice acting for story text and dialogue. Presentation-wise, the game does a lot of things right. Buildings and commands provide satisfying audio feedback, the artwork is attractive, and there are many small details that bring the world to life. For example, companions visibly carry tools or items related to their jobs. A farmer may carry wheat, while a lumberjack carries an axe. Little touches like these make the game alive and makes you able to get lost into the game, but then again...Its only for ten to 15 hours and even then as close to the end game it begins to become dull. Overall, considering the price, the amount of content, and the hours of gameplay available, I believe the game is well worth both the money and the time investment. For those who check out my playtrough on Youtube, here is a link of my playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBmF7y1jrUATWXVEpnGA7rFwKduZ3taAt Final Score: 8/10

Милая, даже очаровательная игра. Строится красивая, хоть и слегка однообразная, деревенька. Чудесная музыка! Так успокаивает, что по вечерам медитировать под нее - самое то. Игровой процесс интуитивно понятен, за исключением обучения по автономности зданий, сюда бы чуть больше пояснений. Но не могу похвалить оптимизацию: характеристики моей машины значительно выше рекомендованных, и, хотя игра идет без фризов, кулер орет так, что его и у соседей, наверное, слышно. Орет, даже если игра на паузе. В целом, рекомендую для тех, кто хочет немного позалипать и ненапряжно отдохнуть. Однако без авиационной турбины для охлаждения, возможно, не обойтись. UPD: отзыв вынуждена поменять на отрицательный. Поиграла подольше и спустя еще часов 5 провалилась в бездну ничегонеделания, пустого ожидания, пока персонажи в домиках накопят ресурсы и продвинутся по квесту. У игры плохо продуман мидгейм, начинается-то все просто замечательно. А вот когда выходишь на этап, где построено уже 5-6 деревенек и идет гринд ресурсов на постройки-шедевры - геймплей приходится разбавлять ютубом и ждать, ждать, ждать.

City Tales: Medieval Era presents an inviting take on the city-building genre by focusing less on rigid efficiency and more on the joy of watching a medieval settlement come to life. Developed by Irregular Shapes and published by Firesquid, the game places players in the role of a ruler tasked with transforming undeveloped land into a thriving community. While many modern city builders emphasize survival mechanics or unforgiving economic systems, City Tales instead leans into creativity and atmosphere, offering an experience that feels as much like crafting a storybook kingdom as it does managing resources. The game's standout feature is its organic construction system. Buildings and districts naturally form around player choices, creating settlements that look unique rather than manufactured from a fixed template. Roads weave through neighborhoods, residential areas grow alongside marketplaces, and industries emerge where resources are plentiful. This freedom gives every town its own character and encourages experimentation. Players are rewarded not only for efficient planning but also for creating places that feel lived in. The title's philosophy is evident throughout: a city should reflect its ruler's vision rather than simply serve as a collection of optimized statistics. Beyond construction, City Tales incorporates a cast of companions who contribute to the development of the settlement. These individuals possess their own backgrounds and abilities, adding a layer of personality to the management systems. As they progress and mentor apprentices, players gain a greater sense of continuity within their cities. This storytelling element helps distinguish the game from many of its peers, making expansion feel like the growth of a community rather than a checklist of completed objectives. Although the narrative aspects remain relatively light, they provide enough charm to make the experience memorable. Resource management is present throughout the game, but it rarely becomes overwhelming. Players must maintain production chains, manage workers, and balance the needs of their population, yet the systems are designed to remain approachable. This makes City Tales particularly welcoming to newcomers who may find more complex city builders intimidating. At the same time, there is enough depth to keep experienced players engaged as they refine their layouts and experiment with different settlement strategies. The pacing is deliberate and relaxed, encouraging players to enjoy the process instead of rushing toward an end goal. Visually, the game excels at creating a warm medieval atmosphere. Its colorful art style, detailed environments, and bustling citizens contribute significantly to immersion. Features such as viewing the world from a villager's perspective further strengthen the connection between player and settlement, offering a reminder that every building serves a purpose within the broader community. Combined with a calming soundtrack and a clean user interface, the presentation consistently supports the game's emphasis on comfort and creativity. However, City Tales: Medieval Era may not satisfy everyone. Players searching for large-scale warfare, intricate political systems, or punishing economic challenges may find its design too gentle. Some gameplay mechanics become familiar after extended sessions, and the lower difficulty curve can diminish tension during the later stages of city development. The companion stories, while enjoyable, occasionally feel underutilized and could benefit from additional depth. Nevertheless, these shortcomings do little to undermine the game's overall appeal. City Tales: Medieval Era succeeds by embracing a clear identity. It is a medieval city builder designed to inspire creativity and provide a relaxing escape rather than test a player's endurance. Its combination of organic settlement growth, charming presentation, and accessible management mechanics makes it a standout choice for players who appreciate thoughtful world-building. While it may not redefine the genre, it delivers a polished and enjoyable experience that captures the simple pleasure of building a medieval town and watching it flourish over time. Rating: 8/10

City Tales ist ein Aufbauspiel für alle, die es farbenfroh und gemütlich mögen. Man kann im Grunde nichts falsch machen und wird durch eine Story durch das Spielgeschehen geführt. Die verschiedenen Gefährten, die in Produktionsgebäuden eingesetzt werden können oder in neuen Stadtbereichen, hat jede/r eine eigene Hintergrundgeschichte, was das Spiel noch ein wenig persönlicher macht.

I eat city builders for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I have dreams about City Skylines and Anno. And this game? It's nice! Very chill, not to stressful, good management system and satisfying to watch it grow. Like a garden, not like a fungus.