Feudalism

Feudalism is a turn-based strategy game set in a medieval world where players manage a kingdom’s expansion through quests, resource management, and tactical battles. They build and upgrade their army with a mix of melee and ranged units while enhancing their ruler’s Intelligence, Patriotism, and Art of War attributes to boost army performance. Using scrolls for healing and quick attacks, players conquer territories to achieve dominance.

Feudalism: Review

Introduction

In the grand tapestry of turn-based strategy games, Feudalism (2016) emerges as a niche, ambitious entry that attempts to distill seven centuries of European history—from the Carolingian era to the dawn of the Renaissance—into a single, sprawling 4X experience. Developed by Imagimotion and IV Productions, published by Merge Games, and released on June 14, 2016, the game promises a journey through the rise and inevitable collapse of feudalism, where dynastic marriages, technological innovation, and brutal conquest shape your legacy. Yet, while its scope is undeniably vast, Feudalism is a title defined by its contradictions: a game brimming with rich strategic depth yet often undermined by obtuse design and technical shortcomings. For the patient strategist willing to peel back its layers, Feudalism offers a compelling, if flawed, meditation on power, knowledge, and societal decay. This review delves into its development, mechanics, artistry, and enduring legacy to determine whether it deserves a place in the pantheon of historical strategy classics.

Development History & Context

Feudalism was born from a unique collaboration between Italian studio Imagimotion, led by designer Alessio Falsetti, and IV Productions, spearheaded by Ivan Venturi. The project’s genesis was rooted in a community-driven vision, inspired by the Facebook group “FeudaLismo e Liberta’,” which boasted over half a million members passionate about medieval history. This grassroots influence is evident in the game’s commitment to historical authenticity, even as it navigates the constraints of its era of development. Built on the Unity engine, Feudalism was released simultaneously for Windows, macOS, and Linux—a testament to its cross-platform ambitions—amid a crowded 2016 strategy landscape. Competitors like Stellaris, XCOM 2, and Civilization VI set high bars for polish and accessibility, leaving Feudalism to carve its niche as a purist’s turn-based experience. The developers emphasized “traditional gameplay,” prioritizing deep mechanics over modern concessions, a choice that would define its reception. Venturi’s vision was grand: to simulate the intricate web of feudal bonds, trade, and technological progress across 692 years, culminating in the era’s collapse. However, limited resources and the inherent complexity of such a simulation resulted in a game that felt both meticulously crafted and frustratingly incomplete.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Unlike many strategy games centered on grand narratives or charismatic leaders, Feudalism eschews a linear plot in favor of emergent storytelling. The narrative is player-driven, unfolding through the rise and fall of your family dynasty as you navigate the tumultuous period from 800 AD to 1492 AD. Events are procedurally generated, reflecting historical realities: the Black Death ravages populations, famines trigger rebellions, and technological advancements like the printing press reshape society. Characters are abstracted; your “family” exists as a collection of stats, traits, and marital alliances rather than named individuals. Strategic marriages are a cornerstone of gameplay, where betrothing your kin to rivals can secure peace or sow the seeds of future conflict, embodying the adage that “a single marriage can effect greater change than an army.”

Thematically, the game explores the inherent tensions of feudalism. Knowledge is a double-edged sword: investing in education boosts production efficiency but fuels skepticism and dissent, occasionally spawning rebellions. Similarly, economic growth through trade and conquest must be balanced against environmental strains—deforestation for warmth can lead to ecological collapse. The “inevitable collapse of the feudal system” is not merely a backdrop but a dynamic consequence of your choices. Feudalism thus mirrors real-world historical forces, where progress begets instability, and power is a fleeting construct. While this approach lacks the narrative flair of Crusader Kings III, it rewards players who savor the authenticity of systemic, cause-and-effect storytelling.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, Feudalism is a 4X game where players eXplore a European map dotted with factions like the Order of Holy Cross, the Great Trade Republic, and the Far East Empire. The eXpansion phase involves capturing territories ranging from small villages to fortified cities, each unlocking unique units. For instance, seizing Gerlitz early as the Order grants access to Grey Infantry and Sturmburg Bowmen, pivotal for dominating Sturmburg later.

eXploitation revolves around resource management. Gold, the lifeblood of your empire, is earned through delivery quests (the safest early-game strategy), conquest, and selling looted weapons at markets. A recommended opening grind involves completing 10–15 delivery quests to amass 2,000–5,000 gold, then investing in scrolls: 10 healing scrolls (50 gold each) for battles and 1 “Quick Attack” scroll to boost unit speed.

eXtermination hinges on tactical battles when armies clash. Combat is automatable but offers strategic depth via unit compositions. The optimal strategy, as documented in player guides, involves stacking 5 elite melee units (e.g., Knights with 750 base HP and 60 defense) followed by 5 ranged units (archers outperform crossbowmen due to superior area-of-effect abilities). Scrolls like “Heal” can turn the tide, costing mere gold but preserving valuable troops.

Character progression focuses on three key stats:
– Intelligence (max 200): Increases unit HP and damage.
– Patriotism (max 100): Bolsters army resilience.
– Art of War (max 100): Enhances combat effectiveness.
Maxing these early is critical to fielding near-invincible armies. The player’s own character should remain in the rear, equipped for defense unless fully geared.

The UI, however, is a persistent pain point. Navigating menus for diplomacy, research, or recruitment is convoluted, and tooltips are sparse, leading to confusion. Multiplayer, while innovative, relies on asynchronous file-sharing via Dropbox or similar services—a cumbersome process that involves exchanging save files to process turns. This “hot-seat-by-email” approach feels archaic but ensures accessibility without dedicated servers. Ultimately, Feudalism’s systems are robust but demand significant patience to master.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Feudalism’s world is a meticulously researched, if visually modest, recreation of medieval Europe. The map is divided into distinct territories, each with geopolitical significance. Capturing Alexandria, for example, is notoriously difficult due to its “oil thrower” units, which can decimate even elite Black Samurai without careful tactics. The game’s factions—Western knights, Eastern samurai, desert traders—lend variety, with unique units reflecting cultural asymmetry. Knights of the Order are “walking castles” with shields and high HP, while Far East Empire shuriken-wielders rely on agility over brute force.

Artistically, Feudalism is functional but uninspired. The diagonal-down perspective and free camera offer strategic flexibility, but unit sprites and environments are rudimentary. Cities are represented by generic icons, and battlefields lack dynamism. Sound design is equally minimal, with no notable score or immersive effects beyond the clatter of combat. Yet, these limitations serve the game’s focus: it’s not a visual spectacle but a simulation where mechanics drive the experience. The atmosphere is conveyed through event logs—plagues, famines, technological leaps—that narrate your realm’s evolution, fostering a sense of historical weight.

Reception & Legacy

Feudalism’s launch was met with a thud. On Steam, it holds a “Mostly Negative” rating (28% positive from 21 reviews), with players decrying its UI, bugs, and steep learning curve. One Steam user lamented, “I’ve played an hour and the user interface is horrible. I’m going to try to push through and see if it’s worth my money.” Critic reviews were equally lukewarm; Eurogamer Italy awarded it 60/100, acknowledging “some well-thought ideas” but criticizing its “inexplicably intricate UI.” Commercially, it failed to make a dent, often discounted to $1.49 or bundled in humble sales.

Yet, Feudalism cultivated a dedicated, if small, following. A community wiki and guides (like the Armor Games walkthrough) emerged, dissecting optimal strategies and unit synergies. Its legacy is one of niche appreciation—hardcore strategy fans praise its depth, while newcomers are deterred by its opacity. Comparisons to Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis are inevitable, but Feudalism lacks their polish or narrative flair. It remains a footnote in the 4X genre, remembered more for its ambition than its execution. Some fans petition for updates or remasters, but developer activity has waned since 2016.

Conclusion

Feudalism is a paradox: a game of profound historical ambition undermined by design flaws that alienate all but the most devoted strategists. Its simulation of feudal dynamics—dynastic marriages, technological trade-offs, ecological consequences—is intellectually rewarding, but the obtuse UI and steep learning curve make this depth feel punitive. For players willing to invest time in mastering its systems, Feudalism offers a unique, unfiltered glimpse into the mechanics of medieval power. For most, however, it serves as a cautionary tale of ambition without polish.

In the grand scheme of historical strategy, Feudalism does not rank alongside titans like Civilization or Crusader Kings. It is a curio, a product of passion constrained by resources. Yet, for its sheer audacity and the dedication of its niche community, it deserves a footnote in gaming history. As a turn-based experience, it is deeply flawed; as a historical simulation, it is occasionally brilliant. Ultimately, Feudalism is not a game for everyone, but for those who seek a challenge that mirrors the complexities of the feudal era itself, it is a journey worth undertaking—if only for the stories it lets you write.