We all know that the Middle Ages in all its facets magically attract GameStar readers. All the better that this week it will be twice as exciting for all fans of this era!
Highlight of the week: Manor Lords
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We’re currently testing Manor Lords: so far it lives up to the hype
Genre: construction strategy | developer: Slavic Magic | Release: 26. April (Steam / Early Access & Game Pass)
No game is currently as hotly anticipated as Manor Lords: The building game is at the top of the most wanted games on Steam, according to publisher Hooded Horse it already has it over 2.5 million people on their wish list packed.
Here you take on the role of a medieval ruler who is building his empire from the ground up. You start with few settlers and resources and must build warehouses, homes and production facilities to develop a thriving settlement.
The game is characterized by an organic-looking construction system that allows for intuitive placement of roads and buildings. And if you feel like it, you can even walk through your village in the third-person perspective and see the hustle and bustle up close.
Our strategy experts are already hard at work and have discovered many strengths. But despite the huge potential, there are some challenges that can disrupt the flow of the game. It’s best to read what these are in our last big preview before the release:
More Steam releases of the week
Monday, April 22nd
- Dead Island 2: After its Epic exclusive, the bloody zombie game is now making the jump to Steam. You can find out whether the purchase is worth it in our test.
Tuesday, April 23rd
- Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes: From the creators of the well-known Suikoden series comes this classic 90s-style JRPG in which you can actually recruit 100 different heroes.
- Phantom Fury: This old-school shooter from 3D Realms sends you on an action-packed road trip across the USA, where you shoot soldiers, cyborgs and mutants with a huge arsenal of weapons.
- Bellwright (Early Access): The second big medieval highlight of the week! Here too you build a settlement, but as part of a survival game experience. You’ll spend a lot of time gathering resources and crafting items between Mount & Blade style battles and city management.
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Bellwright: First trailer shows the mix of medieval role-playing games and city building
Wednesday April 24th
- Rotwood (Early Access): The 2D co-op dungeon crawler from the creators of the acclaimed Griftlands wants to attract you with its pretty, hand-drawn comic look and captivate you in the long term with a complex combat system.
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Rotwood: New dungeon crawler shows co-op action in the first trailer
Thursday, April 25th
- Sand Land: This action role-playing game is based on the manga of the same name by the late Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama.
- Topspin 2K25: Eleven years after Topspin 4, the celebrated tennis simulation appears on the PC for the first time. There are also many legends on board like Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. You’ll find out in our test at the end of the week whether the game lives up to expectations or is a Pay2Win hell like the NBA2k series.
We probably don’t have to ask you this week which game you’re most excited about. That’s why we’re keeping our fingers crossed with you that Manor Lords can meet the high expectations and wish you a lot of fun building it!
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