Kingdom building games have always carried a certain allure: the satisfaction of crafting thriving towns, balancing resources, and watching your citizens prosper under your careful guidance. With City Tales – Medieval Era, French indie developer Irregular Shapes delivers a polished and relaxing entry into this genre, blending strategic depth with accessible gameplay, charming visuals, and community-driven design. After nearly a year in Early Access, the game’s official 1.0 release marks a milestone for both the studio and players who have patiently watched the game evolve.
Gameplay and Mechanics
At its heart, City Tales – Medieval Era is a kingdom builder designed to reward planning, creativity, and thoughtful decision-making. Players start with a modest settlement and gradually expand their influence, managing resources, constructing civil buildings, and guiding citizens through daily life. The game boasts a robust economy system with 48 resources, from basic foodstuffs to advanced materials, which adds depth without overwhelming new players.
The city-building mechanics are complemented by a story-driven campaign split into two acts, which provides narrative context to the otherwise open-ended gameplay. Players can also pursue 11 masterworks, ambitious objectives that serve as endgame goals for those who crave a long-term challenge. The inclusion of 10 companions, each with their own abilities and interactions, introduces subtle layers of strategy and personalization, giving players the opportunity to optimize their kingdom in multiple ways.
One of the game’s standout features is Painter Mode, which allows players to build freely without worrying about resource constraints, influence points, or progression limits. This mode is perfect for players who want to focus purely on creativity and experimentation, crafting sprawling cities or intricate layouts with minimal restrictions.
Additionally, the game offers three handcrafted maps, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and provides different strategic considerations. Whether managing a mountainous settlement, a river valley, or a sprawling open plain, players must adapt their building strategies to the unique terrain and environmental factors of each map.
Visuals and Audio
City Tales – Medieval Era embraces a visually appealing style that balances simplicity and charm. The medieval aesthetic is rendered in soft, pleasing colors, giving the game a relaxed and approachable atmosphere. Citizens, buildings, and landscapes are carefully detailed, and small touches—like moving livestock, fluttering banners, or bustling market squares—help bring each settlement to life.
Audio design complements the visual style beautifully. The soundtrack is serene and understated, evoking the sense of calm that the developers intended, while ambient sounds, such as the chatter of villagers, flowing water, and the clang of construction, subtly reinforce immersion without becoming repetitive. The combination of visuals and audio creates a cozy, engaging environment, encouraging players to linger and experiment with their cities.
Community-Driven Design
One of the most notable aspects of City Tales – Medieval Era is how closely Irregular Shapes has worked with its community during Early Access. Feedback from players directly influenced gameplay adjustments, the addition of new features, and balance improvements, resulting in a game that feels both refined and player-focused. This collaborative development approach is evident throughout the game: features such as Painter Mode, expanded resource systems, and companion mechanics all demonstrate responsiveness to community requests.
The developers’ commitment to accessibility is also apparent. Controls are intuitive, menus are cleanly organized, and tutorials ease players into the systems without being intrusive. Even newcomers to city-building games can quickly grasp the fundamentals while still finding depth and challenge for veterans.
Replayability and Longevity
Replay value is a strong suit for City Tales – Medieval Era. With multiple maps, a wealth of resources, optional masterworks, and the open-ended nature of city creation, the game encourages experimentation and long-term engagement. Painter Mode adds additional replayability, allowing players to approach the game without limitations, fostering creativity and personal expression.
Furthermore, the inclusion of companions and diverse building options means no two cities need to feel the same. Players can experiment with different layouts, resource priorities, and strategic approaches, ensuring that subsequent playthroughs remain engaging. Combined, these features give the game a longevity that belies its seemingly relaxing pace.
Strengths
- Community-Driven Design – Early Access feedback has shaped a polished, player-focused experience.
- Relaxing yet Deep Gameplay – Balanced mechanics that are accessible but still offer strategic challenge.
- Painter Mode – Enables unrestricted creativity, perfect for sandbox-style play.
- Visual and Audio Charm – Serene aesthetics and ambient soundscapes create a relaxing atmosphere.
- Replayability – Multiple maps, companions, and masterworks encourage experimentation and long-term engagement.
Weaknesses
- Story Integration – While the narrative is a nice touch, it sometimes takes a backseat to city-building, and players looking for a deeper story may find it underdeveloped.
- Resource Management Complexity – With 48 resources, new players may initially feel overwhelmed, though tutorials and gradual progression mitigate this.
- Limited Combat or Challenge – The game leans heavily on peaceful city-building, so players seeking conflict-driven gameplay may find it lacks tension.
Final Verdict
City Tales – Medieval Era is a thoroughly enjoyable kingdom-building experience that successfully blends strategic depth with a relaxed, approachable pace. Irregular Shapes has delivered a polished and charming game, refined by community feedback, that rewards creativity, planning, and exploration. With hours of content, open-ended city-building, and high replayability, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre who appreciate relaxing yet meaningful gameplay.
For those seeking a serene kingdom-building adventure, City Tales – Medieval Era provides an expansive sandbox, engaging mechanics, and a delightful medieval world to explore. Irregular Shapes’ debut is a promising start, and it’s easy to imagine future expansions adding even more depth and charm.
