Iron Sky: Invasion
Iron Sky: Invasion
Game
Game2013
Knights and Merchants
Developer Topware Interactive
Knights and Merchants: The Shattered Kingdom, known as simply Knights and Merchants, is a medieval-time based real-time strategy (RTS) video game. It was developed by Joymania Entertainment (since changed to Joymania Development) and published by TopWare Interactive in 1998. The player takes the role of the captain of the palace guards and leads the soldiers and citizens to victory. An expansion pack was released in… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
188 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
94
LovedLoved
161 positive · 11 negative
95% range 89–96%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 161 | 11 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Lemmy * | 4 | 0 | 2 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
1,280 of 1,552 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
93% recommend · 163 yes, 13 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 176 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (4,236 of 4,970 positive).
Many players praise the game for its nostalgic value and deep economic system. [1][2][3] A few players find the game boring or limited compared to modern RTS titles. [4][5][6]
Liked
Representative posts
- [5]
I played this mainly with the KaM "remake" ("Remaster" would be a more accurate term) that fixes a lot of issues with the Steam version but requires the game files for legal reasons. But it's still meh, if somewhat endearing. Note that this came out at around the same time of Age of Empires II and several years after C&C, but it fails to take almost any of the RTS genre progressions up until that point into account. …
- [1]
This was the first PC game I ever received and played back in 1998. This is THE game that got me into the RTS genre when I was a kid (before Age of Empires 2). Playing it again 27 years later brings back such nostalgia, and confounds me to this very day. Twelve year old me blew through the Shattered Kingdom campaign in literally a week, and here I am almost 40 and I've been playing this game again for a week trying …
- [3]
🎯 Rating: 7.5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆ 📜 Overview Knights and Merchants is a real-time strategy (RTS) game released in 1998 by Joymania Entertainment. Set in a medieval world, it blends city-building, economy management, and tactical combat. Players must gather resources, construct buildings, train troops, and manage supply chains while leading their kingdom to victory. The game is known for its deep economic system and …
- [15]
i love this game been playing since i was a child but this version really sucks because it keeps freezing and crashing everytime the serfs get randomly stuck at the storehouse door. causing me to restart and re build everything
- [2]
This was the first PC game I ever received and played back in 2002. Playing it again 23 years later brings back such nostalgia, and confounds me to this very day. 6 year old me blew through the Shattered Kingdom campaign in literally a week, and here I am almost 29 - and I've been on Mission 4 for a week trying to figure out what the Blue Hell I did 2 decades ago that I can't remember today. 10/10
Summarised from 34 of the 192 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 12, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Knights and Merchants talk about nostalgic and fond childhood memories; those who didn't talk about steam version has freezing and crashing issues. Which matters more to you?
Critics, per Wikipedia
The PC version received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. Next Generation, however, said that the game "may not break much new ground, but it follows footprints with style. So if you're tired of battling aliens, orcs, and the villains of Nod, it's a nice little alternative."
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 188 · most liked firstAww, Kit is showing me one of her nostalgic faves, a game that she played a demo of on Poland's CD Action magazine CDs as a kiddo - 1998's Knights and Merchants! What cute little rendered graphics.
positive · AI labelView post →This was the first PC game I ever received and played back in 1998. This is THE game that got me into the RTS genre when I was a kid (before Age of Empires 2). Playing it again 27 years later brings back such nostalgia, and confounds me to this very day. Twelve year old me blew through the Shattered Kingdom campaign in literally a week, and here I am almost 40 and I've been playing this game again for a week trying to figure out what the hell I did almost 3 decades ago that I can't…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This was the first PC game I ever received and played back in 2002. Playing it again 23 years later brings back such nostalgia, and confounds me to this very day. 6 year old me blew through the Shattered Kingdom campaign in literally a week, and here I am almost 29 - and I've been on Mission 4 for a week trying to figure out what the Blue Hell I did 2 decades ago that I can't remember today. 10/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Knights and Merchants. An RTS game in the style of such games as Age of Empires, or the early WarCraft games. A shout-out with thanks to my awesome friends @sharkabytes.bsky.social & @kitnibbles.bsky.social for recommending this game.
positive · AI labelView post →been playing for 25 years it is ok
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🎯 Rating: 7.5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆ 📜 Overview Knights and Merchants is a real-time strategy (RTS) game released in 1998 by Joymania Entertainment. Set in a medieval world, it blends city-building, economy management, and tactical combat. Players must gather resources, construct buildings, train troops, and manage supply chains while leading their kingdom to victory. The game is known for its deep economic system and large-scale battles, but it also has a high learning curve. 🌟 Pros ✅ Deep…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game of my childhood, but now it's boring to play.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i have enjoyed this game for 25 years now
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →QTP with a game that made you a gamer in your childhood! Submarine Titans, Knights and Merchants, and Hugo the troll 3D games made me a gamer way before The Sims 2 did but they don't have GIFs sooo 😅
neutral · AI labelView post →Knights and Merchants! It's been so long since I played it. Thanks for sharing!
positive · AI labelView post →My friend who i play CS:GO with said if i post a review on this game and it gets 200 likes and 200 awards that he will buy me a RTX 3060 and 2 kilos of canned ham. So i'm just gonna leave this here. Help a brotha
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played a demo version a very long time ago — about 20 years? — and finally got a chance to play again. It’s an old-school RTS with awesome graphics and good AI, featuring different scenarios and scripts. Most of the time you need to build the city, gather an army, and push. The game makes you think, especially when the PC has better starting positions or a stronger economy at the start or during a mission (classic RTS scenario). The time it takes to build and complete a mission with minimal…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is absolute masterpiece. I've used to play it as a kid. And I rediscovered it nowadays and have maybe even more fun with it then before.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Remake this Masterpiece
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Choose 20 games that greatly influence you. (there's 2 of us, so each chooses 10) One game per day, for 20 days. No explanations, no reviews, no particular order. Day 5: Knights and Merchants - Joymania Entertainment, 1998 #GameChallenge #Games #GameDev #PromoSky #citybuilder
neutral · AI labelView post →It's old but gold. And the bug in the first mission still exist, good memories
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This was pre-internet game. It was too hard for me when I was so young so I couldn't finish it before. Now I discovered this again, so I nailed it. Very good strategy game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Lords of Solgrund, a medieval city-builder inspired by the classic "Knights and Merchants" game released on Steam.
neutral · AI labelView post →Knights and Merchants is a lot of fun when it comes to city building, the combat, and it’s also quite challenging, which makes it very rewarding for fans of classic strategy games.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I liked this game as a kid and I still like it ^^
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →make bread, then war
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played this mainly with the KaM "remake" ("Remaster" would be a more accurate term) that fixes a lot of issues with the Steam version but requires the game files for legal reasons. But it's still meh, if somewhat endearing. Note that this came out at around the same time of Age of Empires II and several years after C&C, but it fails to take almost any of the RTS genre progressions up until that point into account. It's like whoever made it only ever played Dune II, and then some people are…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Knights and Merchants is a real-time strategy game that occupies a unique space in the genre. Originally released in 1998 and later re-released on Steam as a bundled edition including the expansion The Peasants Rebellion, the game offers a throwback to a time when meticulous planning, resource management, and slow, deliberate pacing were the norm. Unlike modern strategy titles that prioritize fast action and flashy combat, Knights and Merchants demands patience, precision, and a fondness for…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Lords of Solgrund, a medieval city-builder inspired by the classic "Knights and Merchants" game released on Steam.
neutral · AI labelView post →i was /literally/ going to say this. When I frustratedly quit whatever idiot fucking game makes me rage, my brain snaps over to something productive to burn off the cortisol. Marvel Rivals, Knights and Merchants, Balatro, Hell Let Loose, Slay the Spire, Warhammer 40k: Darktide, etc.
neutral · AI labelView post →Forgot about this game untill i found it here, thanks for adding this to steam. We need more gems from the 90's/2000's
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've never seen Knights and Merchants mentioned anywhere, I used to love that game!
positive · AI labelView post →This build is limited. If you had played the old version and buy this you will be disappointed
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →old classic... still fun to play
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Rating: 8.6/10 Knights and Merchants is a classic real-time strategy and city-building game that places a strong emphasis on resource management, production chains, and medieval settlement development. Players must construct villages, manage complex economies, train soldiers, and lead their forces through a campaign that blends strategic planning with tactical battles. The game's detailed economic system and relaxing pace set it apart from many traditional RTS titles, rewarding careful…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was looking for the skirmish version, which the Steam store said it would contain. Apparently, it's only the original (non-HD) version that does this.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great nostalgic game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i love this game been playing since i was a child but this version really sucks because it keeps freezing and crashing everytime the serfs get randomly stuck at the storehouse door. causing me to restart and re build everything
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I loved this game so much!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is my childhood rts games when i see it start cry.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Love this game! This fan version has some problems. But otherwise, one of the best PC games ever! Never gets boring. Give it a try!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This DLC is complete scam, unplayable as game itself, not talking about terrible graphics.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →my dad plays this game too much.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is the first game I ever played. It was released in 1998 the same year I was born. I remember playing it on a PC with an Intel Pentium processor with 2 cores. It was a beautifully time. The game has a unique and great atmosphere. It features a solid city-building system, many military units and a well-developed economy. The game offers two campaigns which in my opinion are some of the toughest among all RTS games.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →3. Knights and Merchants, childhood defining pc game, I wanted to live in that world.
positive · AI labelView post →So the first one is... Knights and Merchants. It was HUUUGE in Poland. It was the first strategy game I played and if you ask me why I like city builders so much - because of K&M. I remember my 6yo self crying, because I won the mission and had to leave my village. I grew up on these streets 😏
positive · AI labelView post →Amazing time waster
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Watching a Let's Play of Knights and Merchants and wow, do I have to appreciate the game for how it worked: 1. The units and formation system was ingenious and, in hindsight, Really Simple 2. The AI is really basic: "Unit go here. If no Unit here, move Another Unit here." Great reinforcement system
positive · AI labelView post →I can't recommend Knights and Merchants. The classic version doesn't run and the HD version is buggy and does not include the addon.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Yes but I did have about 3 crashes in my 10 hours. I'd say more worth $5-$10 Aus now.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →great nostsalgic RTS
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It`s an old classic! Love it!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →pikemen are good against cavalry. poke poke.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →sausages are life.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →farmers working in the fields. peaceful view.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Old School game, but very good to play.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Almost time for the next stream and we are checking Knights and Merchants an old RTS game from the 90's. this was a favorite of mine growing up, I wonder if it holds up Thanks to the wonders of the KAM Remake project I can play it once more Starting in ~30mins www.twitch.tv/lost_one1993
positive · AI labelView post →Fun game, easy going and not overly challenging
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Oldie but goodie, as they say. I had a flashback of this game I used to play as a kid and I was happy to find it here on Steam. Honestly, I don't think anyone reading this came here not knowing what KaM is, but let's make a review anyway. It's a "Settlers clone" with very appealing graphics and animations that still look pretty good even to this day. The progression of your village is fun to watch, albeit it is very slow. The construction of your roads, buildings or farm plots depend solely on…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This was a give away so I tried it. It isn't my kind of genre but I don't want to downvote just because I tried something different. I wish there was a third option besides yes or no for games like these.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Played this as a child, now getting back into it. A nice Real Time Strategy with managing resources, armies, while fighting enemies.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →All time classic. I still enjoy it after all those years.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hey played this game for 10 Hours, This game is kind of fun but i recommend to download Kam Remake instead
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's okay but I don't see myself choosing to play this over other similar yet better games like AoE.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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