# **City Tales: Medieval Era – A Hidden Treasure in the City-Building Genre**
The medieval city-building genre has seen significant growth in recent times, with titles like *Manor Lords* and *Foundation* captivating strategy fans. Now, a fresh competitor has surfaced: *City Tales: Medieval Era*. This game, available as a demo during Steam Next Fest 2025, presents a novel interpretation of the traditional city-building concept while integrating distinctive mechanics that distinguish it from the rest.
I had the opportunity to experience the demo, and I was pleasantly surprised by how immersed I became in its enchanting medieval setting. Here’s why *City Tales: Medieval Era* is a title you should watch out for.
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## **A Recognizable Yet Intriguing Base**
At its essence, *City Tales: Medieval Era* adheres to the tried-and-true city-building structure. You begin as a feudal lord, erecting wooden huts in a verdant, European-esque environment. From this point, you amass vital resources like wood, food, and stone while enhancing your settlement.
As your village thrives, the needs of your citizens will also increase. They’ll demand higher quality food, garments, and even luxuries such as apple wine. Before long, you’ll be navigating a complex economy, balancing resource generation, and ensuring your populace stays content.
Although this gameplay loop is well-known, *City Tales* performs it exceptionally. The demo kept me engaged for hours, constantly pushing me to grow my settlement, upgrade structures, and refine production processes.
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## **What Sets *City Tales* Apart?**
While *City Tales: Medieval Era* resembles games like *The Settlers* and *Anno*, it incorporates several distinctive mechanics that make it feel revitalizing and inventive.
### **1. An Innovative District-Based Building Mechanism**
One of the most impressive aspects of *City Tales* is its city planning methodology. Rather than placing individual buildings on a grid, you create entire neighborhoods by sketching their layout. The dimensions of each district dictate how many structures can be established within it, such as homes, enterprises, and public facilities.
This design adds an element of strategy, as each district can only accommodate a specific number of public buildings. You’ll need to strategically plan their locations to guarantee that vital services—like markets, chapels, and schools—are available to all residents.
The outcome? A city that appears organic and visually varied, with each region developing its unique identity.
### **2. The Companion System – A Personal Element**
In contrast to numerous city-builders where citizens are indistinguishable laborers, *City Tales* introduces “companions”—distinct characters who contribute significantly to your settlement’s growth. These companions manage businesses, train successors, and embark on unique story-driven quests.
Every companion possesses unique skills and abilities, making them a strategic asset. Need additional bread? Assign your top baker to the task. Looking to enhance production efficiency? Train your companions to specialize in particular sectors.
This feature lends a personal aspect to the game, rendering your city more vibrant and providing you with a deeper connection to its citizens.
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## **A Bright Future for *City Tales***
While the demo already highlights a solid foundation, there remain areas for improvement. Certain mechanics, like the influence radius of public buildings, could be designed to be more user-friendly. Moreover, some quality-of-life enhancements—such as the ability to upgrade multiple houses simultaneously—would streamline city management.
Nevertheless, the developers at Irregular Shapes have crafted something remarkable. Their enthusiasm for city-building games is apparent, and if they keep refining the project, *City Tales: Medieval Era* could emerge as a notable title in the genre.
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## **Final Thoughts – A Must-Play for City-Building Enthusiasts**
For those who enjoy medieval city-builders, *City Tales: Medieval Era* is certainly worth exploring. The demo provides a preview of a thoughtfully designed world brimming with strategic complexity and delightful visuals.
With its innovative district-building approach, captivating companion mechanics, and a strong basis in classic city-building gameplay, *City Tales* has the potential to be an undiscovered treasure in the genre.
So, don’t let the same mistake I nearly made—try out the demo before it escapes your attention!