Play it if
You want a calm, gorgeous medieval town to build and care for.
Skip it if
You want a finished game with lots of long-term goals.
Fact sheet
- Players
- Single-player
- Online play
- No
- Cross-play
- No
- Solo
- Single-player only
- Difficulty
- Demanding
- Typical playtime
- ~40 hours
- Steam Deck
- Playable
1The pitch
You start with a handful of families and a cart of supplies in a medieval valley. Over the seasons you turn it into a market town and decide how to deal with bandits and rival lords.
2How it plays
Roads and plots follow your hand, not a grid, so towns look natural. Every household has a job, needs and possessions to carry. Battles are fought in real time with formations and morale.
3Where it beats its rival
Against Against the Storm it wins on atmosphere and freedom: you build one town you care about, slowly and beautifully. It is the better choice if you like calm planning and medieval realism.
4Look & sound
It is one of the best-looking city builders ever made. Seasons change the valley, and zooming down to street level shows real life in your town.
5Setup & value
It lists at $39.99, runs on Windows and is still in Early Access with regular updates. Steam lists it as Playable on Steam Deck, but mouse control is more comfortable.
Best bits
- Beautiful organic town building
- Real sense of a living village
- Battles add tension
Watch out
- Early Access, still unfinished
- Late game is thin for now
Score sheet
- Depth 25%
- 92
- Feel 25%
- 88
- Easy to start 15%
- 80
- Replay 20%
- 84
- Value 15%
- 86
92 × 25% + 88 × 25% + 80 × 15% + 84 × 20% + 86 × 15% = 86.70 → 87
The judges' verdict
Verdict
“Manor Lords is already one of the most charming city builders on Steam. It is unfinished, but the town you build will stay with you.”
By the Bet Compare Guide editorial desk · Updated 20 Oct 2026 · How we score · Report an error
