While 2026 remains in the balance, players are on the buzz with anticipation for titles like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a remake that will bring stealth-action back into play for a new generation of players. Another title, Chronicles: Medieval, is flying low on its path to becoming a revolution in the medieval RPG category.

Conceived by Raw Power Games, a Copenhagen development studio that is manned by veterans of Cyberpunk 2077, Grand Theft Auto, and The Witcher 3, this medieval sandbox RPG has a lot in store. Launching in early access on Steam in 2026 with console releases after, Chronicles: Medieval blends historical accuracy and creative freedom to offer a huge world where choice has consequences.

Gameplay Allows Forging Your Medieval Legacy

At its most basic, Chronicles: Medieval is a sandbox RPG that drops you into a vibrant 14th- and 15th-century Europe, a place of strife, invasions, and alliances. You begin as a simple character, a craftsman or villager, perhaps. Later, you carve your path to greatness through war, trade, or diplomacy. The game’s flexibility allows you to pursue power as a warlord, riches as a merchant, or adventure as a wandering knight.

You can recruit, train, and lead historical armies like sharp-eyed English Longbowmen or deadly French knights, issuing orders to them in massive battles that blend strategic planning with real-time combat. Maybe you’ll give instructions to your troops before charging ahead yourself, sword in hand alongside your comrades. Basically, think Mount & Blade but with deeper mechanics.

Also, the game supports co-op custom battles, where you can fight with friends, and this gives it a social element to its warfare. Raw Power Games will be adding more chapters, improved siege machines, and improved crafting, diplomacy, and economy systems.

Visuals Showcase A Colorful Medieval Tapestry

Visually, Chronicles: Medieval aims to captivate through the use of Unreal Engine 5, offering a bright portrayal of medieval Europe. Unlike most RPGs, the game does not opt for a dark, gritty presentation. Instead, the game features a colorful and beautiful setting that is the antithesis of the genre’s usual gravitas.

All assets are handcrafted by Raw Power Games’ team instead of using generative AI for authenticity and attention to detail. The result is a living, breathing playground. A playground where worlds shift based on player actions and community contribution. For example, settlements and castles that you view or build are a manifestation of your power, offering a personalized visual experience.

Additionally, realistic depictions of combat, weapons, and period settings in the game build on the immersion. From the sound of steel in combat to the busy markets of medieval towns, the graphics will take players elsewhere. The developers’ focus on world evolution ensures that the world will continue to evolve, possibly even incorporating player-suggested locations or factions.

The Audio Is A Cinematic Promise

While very little of the audio in the game has been revealed, the announcement trailer gives a promising taste of what is to follow. Voice-narrated by Oscar-winning actor Tom Hardy, who has appeared in The Revenant and Inception, the trailer assures a cinematic audio design to complement the game’s visuals. Hardy’s deep voice sets the tone for seriousness, assuring good-quality sound or voice acting.

Although the developers have not commented on the soundtrack or sound effects, the trailer’s production quality indicates a focus on immersive audio to complement the colorful visuals. As the game evolves from early access, audio aspects should also develop. Perhaps incorporating community feedback to refine ambient sound effects, battle cries, or musical motifs might be on the horizon.

What Sets Chronicles: Medieval Apart

Firstly, we have the combination of action, strategy, and RPG depth. While most RPGs are all about character advancement, this game allows you to order armies into grand battles. This gameplay element is more commonly found in strategy games, such as Total War. You might, for example, organize a siege, position your archers, and then join in the melee, creating an uninterrupted flow between tactical and action-based gameplay. The game’s emphasis on player-created storylines also allows each two stories to be unique.

The other notable feature is mod support. Raw Power Games has intended Chronicles: Medieval with modders in mind. They are providing users with tools to create anything they like. Whether new quests to fan-popular additions like “100 Thomas the Tank Engines versus one Master Chief.” The openness to enabling community creativity further extends the game’s replay value and shelf life.

Moreover, the developers’ open approach sets a new standard for player interaction. Chronicles: Medieval will allow players to contribute to its development. This can help foster a sense of ownership.

Why You Should Play Chronicles: Medieval

From poor beginnings, you can rise through skirmishes, battlefields, and sieges, building castles and lord over foes with brutal melee tactics. Every decision echoes throughout the game’s world. From which faction to ally with, to which friend to betray. This promises a unique experience. The promise of never two stories being the same adds massive replayability.

Additionally, early access allows players to experience a fully playable world in 2026 and influence its creation. Remember, participating in playtesting and providing feedback makes you an integral part of the development process. The game’s modding platform further builds on its appeal, offering endless customization possibilities.

As Chronicles: Medieval prepares for its 2026 early access release, it is a golden ray of sunshine for the medieval RPG genre. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the painstakingly crafted assets promise to deliver an end-to-picture-perfect experience. The cinematic trailer, voiced by Tom Hardy, hints at the immersive audio experience that awaits. Everything we have seen so far makes the game a potential candidate for redefining RPG expectations. Add it to your Steam wishlist in Chronicles: Medieval on Steam to monitor its development.