Lords of the Realm III
Lords of the Realm III
Game
Game2015
Lords of the Realm
Developer Impressions Games
Lords of the Realm is a turn-based strategy computer game published and developed by Impressions Games. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
129 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy) · newest Nov 2, 2026 · last updated Nov 2, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
80
LovedLoved
64 positive · 16 negative
95% range 70–87%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 64 | 16 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 13 | 0 | 26 |
| Lemmy * | 5 | 0 | 5 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
72 of 88 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
80% recommend · 65 yes, 16 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 81 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (108 of 131 positive).
Many players praise the game as a classic that holds up well, especially for nostalgia. [1][2][3] Some reviewers note the game is difficult for new players due to lack of tutorials. [4][5][6] A few players report technical issues with the Steam version, including glitches and missing content. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
This is a DOSBox-Port of the original game, but for some reason it is missing the digitized speech, the second map (Germany) and the one that is included (England and Wales) doesn't even detect when you have conquered every territory and therefore won the game. I know it's obvious when you have won, but at least a message like "Congratulations, you are now the king of England of Wales" or something would've been …
- [1]
So a classic game that those of us that played it when it was new will need no introduction to, but will probably be of limited interest to those new to it given how old and crotchety it is. It runs seemingly fine (in DOSBox), at least I didn't encounter any issues in the couple of hours I played so far, so if you want to relive (or continue) old adventures in conquering medieval England and Wales, go ahead. For …
- [3]
Holds up surprisingly well after all these years. I started it for the nostalgia, stayed for the fun. For new players start with sheep to sell wool until the price decreases over time then move to cows for dairy - worked for me. Make sure to adjust your workers by season in the town menu. Hire mercenaries to expand at the beginning.
- [2]
One of my favourite games when I was a kid. And now it's still awesome. 10/10.
- [4]
This is a gem from 1994. I point that out because games back then cared less about teaching you how to play in game and instead wanted you to figure things out by reading the manual. Watch a how to play video on youtube or something. Starting this game can seem difficult with not fully understanding what to do. But once you figure it out and start your campaign the game is so rewarding. There is a large mix of …
Summarised from 34 of the 125 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 10, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
80% of the 81 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Lords of the Realm. The complaint that keeps coming up: steam version has glitches like resources disappearing. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Critics, per Wikipedia
A reviewer for Next Generation deemed Lords of the Realm a must-have title for strategy fans, citing the randomized events, genuine challenge, impressive rendered cut scenes, player-controlled battles, and overall diverse gameplay. In a retrospective review, Michael House of Allgame wrote, "Whatever faults can be attributed to the game's mechanics or contents are almost uniformly minor and in most instances an error of omission. From structure to game play, Lords of the Realm has notched its own place in wargaming history." The Escapist's Stew Shearer summed up his review with "Lords of the Realm is a stellar strategy game that's more than worth the $5.99 that GOG is asking for it (and…
From the “Critical reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 129 · most liked firstThis is a DOSBox-Port of the original game, but for some reason it is missing the digitized speech, the second map (Germany) and the one that is included (England and Wales) doesn't even detect when you have conquered every territory and therefore won the game. I know it's obvious when you have won, but at least a message like "Congratulations, you are now the king of England of Wales" or something would've been nice. The missing map is a real issue, though. I own the original game on CD and…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So a classic game that those of us that played it when it was new will need no introduction to, but will probably be of limited interest to those new to it given how old and crotchety it is. It runs seemingly fine (in DOSBox), at least I didn't encounter any issues in the couple of hours I played so far, so if you want to relive (or continue) old adventures in conquering medieval England and Wales, go ahead. For those new to the title a brief overview - you start off with one county under your…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Happy #TurnBasedThursday! Feudums is a medieval social and dynastic grand strategy, 11 years in the making. Built around long-format, async multiplayer (100s–1000s of players) and player agency, inspired by classics like Lords of the Realm. Try the open alpha, shape the game! 🎮 s.team/a/473750
neutral · AI labelView post →-Quick Review- Lords of the Realm is a strategy game developed by Impressions Games and released in 1994. Normally I have more to say in the quick review section, but ultimate that's all there is to say about the game, the game is older, it's a classic and fond memory to some, I my perspective comes from someone who played Lords of the Realm 2 and only recently had the opportunity to play Lords 1 and 3. Read on for a more analytical review. -Detailed breakdown review- Story: You there! Squire!…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you can't approach this game with nostalgia glasses, stay away. I was really trying to like this game but failed. However the game mechanics (kingdom management) is quite nice, wish I could've played this game when it first came out. At that time I would've loved it! http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3032908758 http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1132461557 http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1389751321
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →07/11/2020 I used to love this game when it was on CD. Unfortunately, if you want peace of mind, stay away from this version. It's hyper glitchy. You'll be many turns in and the game will forget the resources you have built and purchased, and they will disappear entirely, which is really frustrating. It must have something to do with internal game memory. It usually happens once you have begun to take over other counties. This makes it completely unplayable. Steam, please fix this…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I bought this game just so I can take a dump on Rebellion Studio. A few years ago, Rebellion initiated a lawsuit against Stardock/Ironclad over their game "Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion", claiming that anyone who saw the title would associate that game with Rebellion Studio and not Stardock/Ironclad. Now every time I see Rebellion Studio I associate it with trite and meaningless lawsuits. Way to shoot yourselves in the foot there, Rebellion. Enjoy your first and last purchase from me,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You Know Me Al, Late Innings, Universal Baseball Association, Lords of the Realm, Stealing Home, Drinking with Boileryard Clarke, on Days Like These, The Numbers Game, Cardboard Gods, the 2015 BP Annual with the font that was too small
neutral · AI labelView post →PC Gamer US presented Lords of the Realm with its 1994 "Best Historical Simulation"! This is a simulation of England/Wales without king, so all the different nobles are trying their best to grab the island for their own. Well there wasn’t really that many western turn-based strategy game back than but I certain enjoyed it many years ago. Even when I am short of funds to buy games for Christmas 2017 I picked the complete collection of lords of the realm after having It on Wishlist for about…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It is still the game that so many identify with in their childhood. Turn based strategy with both economic and military management, but not too much of either. You can just enjoy the game in such a simple way. Personally I hated LOTR2 for becoming more complicated, LOTR1 was always my prefered one of the franchise. If they made an updated version of this with a smoother interface but didn't touch the actual game play I would hapilly pay £10 for it instead of the £1.50 I just paid for this.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Jon Pessah featured that in his book, The Game, which I am always recommending people should read. Lords of the Realm leads you to '94, The Game takes the reins from there.
neutral · AI labelView post →Memories of a time before children and full-time job. :-) Good times Game that can be played over a long period of time in between family tasks as it is turn based but cleaver enough to keep you on your toes. Back to the days when a game relied on quality rather than glitzy graphics.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Exactly. There were a ton of these in the 90s, like *StarCraft Brood War*, *Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal*, and my personal favorite *Lords of the Realm II: Seige Pack*. Even today, there are plenty of great examples, like the new DLC for *Factorio*, *Space Age*. Good DLC isn't a problem, MTX and DLC acting like MTX are the real problems.
neutral · AI labelView post →Lords Of The Realm 2. A game I like to play to relax.
positive · AI labelView post →Does not work. On my husband's computer (he has his own steam account), it appears to install, but after running through the opening credits and scene, it stops. He has to alt/control/delete out of it. On my computer, I don't even get that far. I click "Play," and I get a black screen, music in the background, with a ping-ponging screen saver-type blue text reading, "Signal not Support." Not, "Not supported," but "not support." And that's it--not even Alt/Control/Delete works--I have to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Knights of the Crusades just launched on Steam today—and yes, it’s another medieval RTS.. Knights of the Crusades just launched on Steam today—and yes, it’s another medieval RTS. In this one you march with the First Crusade to the Holy Land. You start out as a humble knight, but if you play it right you grow into the founding father of your own holy order—maybe even commanding as a Templar. And it isn’t just about war. You’re juggling faith, diplomacy, and outright political scheming to get…
neutral · AI labelView post →Happy #TurnBasedThursday! Been building this game for 10+ years with the community, shaping priorities together & leaning on feedback. It’s a multiplayer-first game where strategy reigns supreme, inspired by classic Commodore-era gems like Lords of the Realm or Genesia: 👇 bsky.app/profile/kala...
neutral · AI labelView post →I first played this game 20 years ago on the old Amga system It was Great then The transfer to pc and steam version has lost nothing This was a Giant in its time its still Dam good now If you Like maps and amies you will like this. Yes its a bit dated and the graphics show that, but the gameplay and startagy are as good as ever.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →There are many games where managing an increasingly expanding empire gets so tedious they stop becoming fun. Rome: Total War, Lords of the Realm II, even Civilization has that problem. Game devs know this, so historical accuracy is sacrificed for game mechanics emphasizing fun/progression.
neutral · AI labelView post →I’m OLD old and Lords of the Realm II w/Siege Pack is my comfort game (when I don’t have time for Alpha Centauri w/Crossfire).
positive · AI labelView post →Great little strategy game for its time. Desperately needs an update. Run OK out of DOSBOX but could really use an overhaul.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →What are your absolute must-install games whenever you set up a retro PC? For me it's Might & Magic: World of Xeen Lords of the Realm Heroes of Might & Magic Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun Magic the Gathering (the old Microprose game) Wolfenstein 3D ZSNES and all the DOS Pinball games.
neutral · AI labelView post →What’s your “no one but me remembers” game? Going with Conqueror AD 1086 which was one part Lords of the Realm, one part dating sim, and one part first person sword fighting. Win by slaying the king or a dragon.
neutral · AI labelView post →I AM WRITING THIS REVIEW TO COMPLAIN AGAINST STEAM. THERE IS NO WAY TO CONTACT STEAM AND NOW STEAM WILL NOT RECOGNIZE MY EMAIL. i AM SO CLOSE TO BEING LOCKED OUT OF MY ACCOUNT WHICH I HAVE SPENT OVER 1000$ ON. GOOD JOB STEAM, IF YOU CAN GET THE MONEY, YOU WILL TAKE IT. GREEDY FU%%ERS.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of my favourite games when I was a kid. And now it's still awesome. 10/10.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeTR0vmn-Uw The Throne is Empty, The King is Dead, You have no plans for the Weekend and you're Bored out of your mind. So what can you do? Take the Throne & become the new King of the Middle Ages, but there's 5 other Nobles who the same goal in mind too. Build your County's Resources so that your people will be Happy & Healthty while managing them carfully so you can build an Army to Strike down your Rival Nobles & claim the Crown!…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Playing and drafting the article for Impressions Games' Lords of the Realm II (1996). This was my dad's first strategy game when he got a computer in 1997. It's turn-based and real-time in a way that was slightly unusual. Fun sieges. Medieval soundtrack goes off
neutral · AI labelView post →Holds up surprisingly well after all these years. I started it for the nostalgia, stayed for the fun. For new players start with sheep to sell wool until the price decreases over time then move to cows for dairy - worked for me. Make sure to adjust your workers by season in the town menu. Hire mercenaries to expand at the beginning.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hi, I'm creating a 2D, fully hand-drawn 4X game, heavily inspired by classic strategy games from the '90s, like Lords of the Realm or Genesia. It’s designed for modern hardware and doesn’t have retro visuals, but is a tribute to the classics. Does this count? s.team/a/473750/ #indiedev #retro 🎮
neutral · AI labelView post →While I recommend this game, I do note it is an old game. I played this a lot as a child. If you are not familiar with dos-era games, you may find this game frustrating, but if you enjoy dos-era games, this is a great buy and highly recommended. The mid/late game can get a bit boring however.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In today's "every game is a copy" investigation, Lords of the Realm 1 (1994) because that was "back when devs made original games instead of just copying". Ah yes, the Fields of Glory, Stronghold, Centurion Defender of Rome, Castles, Warlords, Genghis Khan, and more... 'clone'.
neutral · AI labelView post →My advice to every baseball fan is to read 2 books. First, “Lords of the Realm” by John Helyar. It covers baseball’s labor situation up to 1994. For the Post 1994 stuff, read “The Game” by Jon Pessah. Spoiler alert: in both books, the commissioner and the owners come off looking like shit
neutral · AI labelView post →Childhood game on Peak like cocaine on cpu
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fallout 1, which I've probably replayed about ten times more than the second game. It's concise, with this depressing and dark world that gives a feeling never fully replicated in sequels. Lords Of The Realm 2, a great little strategy game with an effortlessly charming aesthetic. Civil War Generals 2, when I feel like really grinding out a strategy game. It has the bright colors and charming graphics which create a clear and readable battlefield that can be brutally difficult as units get…
neutral · AI labelView post →Hi, any chance to be added? 🙃 Feudums is an upcoming, hand-drawn, medieval 4X with ➰ persistent #multiplayer (for thousands per game) 🐢 idler-friendly features ❄️ seasonal simulation ⚖️ NO pay-to-win shortcuts. Inspired by '90s classics like Lords of the Realm. 🔗 s.team/a/473750 #indiegame #indiedev
neutral · AI labelView post →Stream tomorrow! More object interactions! Then...GAMING! What game should I play? 1. Syndicate! 2. Dungeon Keeper! 3. Warcraft II! 4. Lords of the Realm!
neutral · AI labelView post →The only reason I know about this design is the countless hours I spent playing Lords of the Realm 2 :o
neutral · AI labelView post →God I love Lords of the Realm 2. I bought it on GoG and go back and play that every few years for a spell. Rarely see others mention in and it was one of my favorite games of that era.
positive · AI labelView post →This evening, time for some retro-gaming. An old favorite from 1994: "Lords of the Realm." A simple 4X game -- feed your people, fill your coffers, fight your neighbors, conquer the realm. But it's always pleasant building castles in England.
positive · AI labelView post →This is a gem from 1994. I point that out because games back then cared less about teaching you how to play in game and instead wanted you to figure things out by reading the manual. Watch a how to play video on youtube or something. Starting this game can seem difficult with not fully understanding what to do. But once you figure it out and start your campaign the game is so rewarding. There is a large mix of gameplay that you can dive into. Given that a large portion of the game is focused…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Stopped playing Savage 2, as much as I love it, because the devs started vibe coding. There’s a Lords of the Realm 2 discord where a dude is vibe coding things into the game as others cheer him on. The Dark Reign discord isn’t anti-AI. Sucks how many people think nothing of stealing work.
neutral · AI labelView post →Replaying mid-90’s computer game Lords of the Realm II and loving it
positive · AI labelView post →Lords Of The Realm 2: a very cozy strategy game about seizing power/resources in a medieval land. could be a great gateway game for some into more complex strategy games, especially if you enjoy some goofy voice acting from the units during field battles and sieges
positive · AI labelView post →I have played many games in this genre, and since the reviews were very positive, I decided to give this one a try. However, after seven hours, I am still struggling to understand how the game actually works. There is not even a tutorial in this reworked version, so I had to manually search online for the official manual and booklets. Even after reading all the materials included with the physical version of the game, the gameplay still feels confusing. The enemy AI seems to build castles,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →> Lords of the Realm I played the shit out of Lords of The Realm 2. The music and voiceover was magic.
positive · AI labelView post →Some that I don't think I saw mentioned, roughly in the chronological order I played them in: * Mario 3 * Kirby Superstar * Super Mario RPG * Baldur's Gate * Lords of the Realm 2 * Diddy Kong Racing * Tales of Symphonia * Undertale
neutral · AI labelView post →I... actually don't think I played any 1996 games in the year 1996. I would say my favorite game now is Escape Velocity. I do want to give a shout out to Lords of the Realm II as another favorite from my childhood (though I know I didn't play it until a few years after its release)
neutral · AI labelView post →I just randomly stumbled onto Lords of the Realm II, a game I adored as a kid. It's 80% off for a price of ~60 cents. Instant buy! store.steampowered.com/app/397350/L...
positive · AI labelView post →Sharing a random spindle: Lords of the Realm II *Disc says '96, so I remember nothing, but it's a Sierra game so...
neutral · AI labelView post →Choose 20 games that greatly influence you. One game per day, for 20 days. No explanations, no reviews, no particular order. Day 18: Impressions Lords of the Realm
neutral · AI labelView post →Hoi! Any chance to be included? :) Feudums is a hand-drawn, medieval 4X strategy ♟️ with ➰ persistent multiplayer (for thousands per game), 🐢 idler-friendly features, ❄️ seasonal simulation, ⚖️ NO pay-to-win shortcuts. Inspired by '90s classics like Lords of the Realm. 🔗 s.team/a/473750
neutral · AI labelView post →Too old school for me, but I love the sequel so giving love
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Lack of in-game information and tutorials make this a difficult game for new players, but this should help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md9B0f-8FgE&list=PLaEZBF_sy6Z0aH5NJ-f8yQ0-6sO4Vutu9 I really like being able to design and build castles! Not sure why they removed that feature in later games, I know it makes little sense in terms of the games mechanics, but it helps you feel like you own it, like it's yours. Just like customising the appearance of your character in other games, no impact…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I would Probably like this game, But I'm Afraid that there is a glaring issue, and that is that the emulator that it runs on just doesn't work on my hardware. Though I must Admit, It seems like a game I would enjoy, the fact that it crashes essentialy whenever you press a button prevents me from reciving any enjoyment from it. I would not reccomend this, simply because of the all too likely outcome of regular emulator freezes. Unless I find a Workaround this review will Remain Negitave. If I…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is a throwback to an older era. Seriously, it uses DOS. While it is an RTS with turn-based movement, it... is tricky for the modern sensibility. Now, the backstory of the game does make a few changes to history. In 1268, the English king was Henry III, but he was... having issues with the barons of the realm. In fact, the year prior had seen the end of the Second Barons' War. So unrest does bubble beneath the surface. Frankly, his staying on the throne was more due to the efforts of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Got this as part of the weekend sale bundle. Very cheap. Was interesting to see how the game evolved from version to version. The graphics got fancier and the simulation simpler. I kind of like complex games, so I enjoyed the first one the most. Had fun poking around to see how it worked. Didn't play for that long; but I don't expect much from an old game I paid a dollar for. A fine expense/entertainment ratio. If, like me, you hadn't noticed this series before and like the genre, its worth a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Simply and easy to learn.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Piracy killed art or something. Growing up I had to convince my mom to buy me one Physical Game, that was Lords of the Realm III, 1.5K for a PC game was way too much. Without piracy most poor kids like me in S/SE Asia wouldn't even have the media literacy they needed, growing up.
positive · AI labelView post →Oh man as a kid watched my dad play Lords of the Realm 2 so often. Great memories.
positive · AI labelView post →I found that, old Heroes of Might and Magic games, and a really obscure game I loved 30 years ago called Lords of the Realm 2.
positive · AI labelView post →
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