The Sims Medieval

Go straight to the game's presentation video.


Hear, hear, The Sims have been transported back to the Middle Ages and the new game style is based on the management of a kingdom. The Sims Medieval is therefore no simple extension to the series but rather a new adventure that dares to break new ground. Will it succeed in conquering the hearts of newcomers without unsettling the fans?

Content: real objectives in addition to the management of the Sims

The game is divided into various stories or "ambitions" Each ambition is made up of a set of objectives to be reached and puts us at the command of a new kingdom that we have to take care of. 50 quest points can be won through the achievement of the objectives in each chapter.

Of course, you also have to manage a certain number of Sims. Each character has a profession that comes with its share of tasks. The game is therefore filled with detail with no time to get bored. There is however a certain inevitable repetitiveness after some time as the different stories don't really renew the gameplay all that much in spite of the innovations they bring in terms of the storyline.


With each new "ambition" you start the game again from the beginning, though from a new angle: new Sims characters and new quests and more complex management, but the basic principle remains the same and you soon feel as if you know it inside out. This isn't however too much of a problem, indeed it's the very basis of the Sims series and reminds us that we're not simply playing a straight up role-playing game.


The pleasure of the game is well and truly there and has enough to keep you amused for the extensive lifespan of the title. There's plenty to do before you get bored.

Gameplay: numerous occupations

The new Sims epoch begins naturally enough with the creation of our king or queen, who will be taking care of the new kingdom. There are enough customisation options to allow you to create an original Sim, whether it resembles you or not. Sims will each have two positive personality traits and one fatal flow to give them a bit of character.

To start with your kingdom is made up of a modest castle beside a forest. There's also a village square, a cemetery, a cave, a quay and a small town and its market. Apart from the usual occupations which consist, among other things, in making food for your Sim or putting it to bed, or equipping and decorating your castle - the possibilities are still as numerous - the game now offers quests to be completed to improve your kingdom in four ways: security, health, knowledge and culture.


These quests are generally original and amusing. They win you points for the kingdom to annex new territory and construct buildings. From taverns to dungeons and armouries, you open up possibilities and new heroes (knights, blacksmiths, merchants, wizards, bards, priests) you can control and which occupy various buildings and can themselves take part in quests.


Of course, the game wouldn't be called "The Sims" if we didn't need to take care of the Sims down to the smallest details. You need to make sure you keep your concentration levels up and stay in good shape to maximise your chance of success in the various quests; taking care of the Sims' needs, food, rest and relationships with the other Sims all need to be carefully supervised. The micro-management aspect is still there, then, so don't be surprised if you find your day's gone when you surface from a session.

That said, you're limited when it comes to the time you can allot to your heroes' needs. After all, they have a kingdom to run and enemies to keep an eye on! It would be a shame to finish up in the stocks.

To add an additional aspect to the game, your heroes also have to take care of various obligatory tasks that have to be carried out in a limited time.

Graphics: no need for anything extraordinary

No surprises here, the game graphics are simple but pretty. You won't find yourself extolling the textures or the complexity of the modelling but the game has the merit of working on computer configurations that aren't necessarily all that powerful.

It's well animated and is full of life thanks to the Sims who never stop going about their business in the kingdom.

In terms of music, you'll find all the Middle Age standards! Not unpleasant but a bit repetitive. It succeeds in setting an atmosphere without being annoying.

Sims Medieval presentation video