The Sims Medieval

The Sims Medieval is a life-simulation game with action-adventure elements, having a more role-playing video game tone than past Sims games.{{Cite web |last=Gould-Wilson |first=Jasmine |date=2024-01-31 |title=13 years since The Sims Medieval, I'm trying to recreate the glory days with The Sims 4 Castle Estate – or get sent to the stocks for trying |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/13-years-since-the-sims-medieval-im-trying-to-recreate-the-glory-days-with-the-sims-4-castle-estate-or-get-sent-to-the-stocks-for-trying/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=GamesRadar+}} The storyline of the game is to build a successful kingdom by fulfilling the player's "Kingdom Ambition", which the player chooses at the start of the game. Once an ambition has been completed, the player will unlock new ambitions for future playthroughs as well as unlocking freeplay for that specific kingdom. The major difference in gameplay from previous installations is a quest-driven system. With the game stopped, the player has to choose a quest (quests are required to fulfill said kingdom ambition), and then choose which hero Sim they want to use. A player can create Hero Sims to control, each one having a profession (monarch, knight, merchant, and the like). The character creation, simulation, and architectural aspects are significantly reduced and altered to enforce a sharper focus on role-playing-style gameplay. For example, players are able to customize the aesthetics and layout of building interiors, but unable to alter the basic structure and shape of buildings.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/sims-medieval-doesnt-stray-far-from-its-roots-30876335 |title=Sims Medieval Doesn't Stray Far From Its Roots |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=August 20, 2010 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823051319/http://kotaku.com/5617022/sims-medieval-doesnt-stray-far-from-its-roots |archive-date=August 23, 2010 |url-status=live}}

With the quest and the Hero Sim(s) selected, the game un-pauses and the player is able to control the chosen Hero Sim(s) during the quest. When the quest is completed, another quest must be selected and another choice of Hero Sim(s) must be made. During quests other non-controlled Sims (even the Heroes created by the player) live in the kingdom, and will continue their life while the quest is going on, like in the story progression feature in The Sims 3. In an interview with GameSpot, senior producer Rachel Bernstein stated that the game will be more dangerous for Sims, with death and failure a possibility during the game's quests. Listed dangers included low focus on quests, plague, peasant revolts, wildlife, poisons, duels, and more.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-sims-medieval-updated-qanda-the-hazards-of-medieval-life/1100-6297455/ |title=The Sims Medieval Updated Q&A – The Hazards of Medieval Life |author=GameSpot staff |date=February 3, 2011 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326160249/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-sims-medieval-updated-qanda-the-hazards-of-medieval-life/1100-6297455/ |url-status=live }} Players earn ratings at the end of the game depending on their performance. Players may also reach "Quest Failed" screens if they do not complete a predefined goal in a predetermined amount of time.

A player's main goal is to complete the quest by following the indicated quest-related actions; however, it is also important to excel at the quest so better rewards are given. How the Hero Sim is doing in the quest can be seen in the quest performance meter. Besides the quest and quest performance, players' Sims have various jobs, and each job has its own duties (called responsibilities) that they will be given to fulfill daily (two per day). Doing so will raise their focus, their in-game mood, which has a major involvement in the way the Sim performs many interactions, as well as in the quest performance itself.

Gameplay-wise, The Sims Medieval was similar to The Sims Stories games, such as The Sims Pet Stories and The Sims Castaway Stories, both of which had The Sims 2 engine. Instead, The Sims Medieval was using The Sims 3 engine.{{Cite web |last=Simpson |first=Sarah-Jane |date=2022-10-31 |title=The Sims Medieval Was Better Than You Remember |url=https://screenrant.com/sims-medieval-expansion-heroes-rpg-game-good/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=ScreenRant}} Producer Rachel Bernstein stated that subsurface scattering had been added to character models to give the characters a "painterly look". Other upgrades included "next-gen sims tech", and a new engine for light within the game. Another difference is the terrain used in the game. Whereas the terrain or neighborhoods in The Sims 3 or other Sim games was generally flat for the purpose of building, The Sims Medieval{{'}}s terrain or kingdom is varied in altitudes and layouts resulting in a realistic display of geography. The terrain in the game also has a "painterly look" as do the Sims of the game thanks to the enhanced engine.{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=2010-08-20 |title=Sims Medieval Doesn't Stray Far From Its Roots |url=https://kotaku.com/sims-medieval-doesnt-stray-far-from-its-roots-30876335 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Kotaku}} Bernstein conducted multiple media interviews and narrated demos,{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUlr6eU0U_Y |title=The Sims Medieval Gamescom 2010 Interview: Rachel Bernstein |author=@GameSpot |date=August 18, 2010 |via=YouTube |access-date=March 2, 2024}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Andrew |date=2010-08-17 |title=The Sims Medieval Impressions − First Details |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-sims-medieval-impressions-first-details/1100-6273572/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=GameSpot}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY4p0H6rSqE |title=The Sims Medieval Epic Trailer |author=@TheSims |date=October 26, 2010 |via=YouTube |access-date=March 2, 2024}}{{cbignore}} and a television marketing campaign was launched. Some advertisements featured actor Donald Faison.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKs8rCy3tQY |title=The Sims Medieval TV Commercial Combo Spot |author=@TheSims |date=April 1, 2011 |via=YouTube |access-date=March 2, 2024}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-23 |title=EA Games: The Sims Medieval |url=https://www.adsoftheworld.com/campaigns/the-sims-medieval |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Ads of the World}} Patrick Stewart narrated both the "epic trailer" and the intro cinematic.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8RaUzvgF8I |title=The Sims Medieval Epic Trailer |author=@TheSims |date=December 8, 2010 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/p8RaUzvgF8I |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2024}}{{cbignore}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUBXJ0kLuEI |title=The Sims Medieval – Patrick Stewart Introduces a New Sims Cutscene (PC) |author=@GameSpot |date=March 15, 2011 |via=YouTube |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/LUBXJ0kLuEI |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2024}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |date=2011-03-16 |title=Patrick Stewart narrates The Sims Medieval intro |url=https://www.vg247.com/patrick-stewart-narrates-the-sims-medieval-trailer |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=VG247}}

{{Video game reviews

| title = The Sims Medieval

| iOS = true

| MAC = true

| PC = true

| na = true

| MC_iOS = 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-medieval/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=The Sims Medieval for iPhone/iPad Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707161152/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/the-sims-medieval |url-status=live }}

| MC_PC = 77/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-medieval/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=The Sims Medieval for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326182050/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-sims-medieval |url-status=live }}

| Edge_PC = 7/10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/sims-medieval-review |title=The Sims Medieval Review (PC) |author=Edge staff |date=April 1, 2011 |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820032052/http://www.edge-online.com/reviews/sims-medieval-review |archive-date=August 20, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

| EuroG_PC = 7/10{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-04-06-the-sims-medieval-review |title=The Sims Medieval (PC) |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=April 6, 2011 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326182050/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-04-06-the-sims-medieval-review |url-status=live }}

| GI_PC = 7/10{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_sims_medieval/b/pc/archive/2011/04/15/the-sims-medieval-review-lutes-and-tights-can-39-t-save-this-sim.aspx |title=The Sims Medieval Review (PC) |last=Juba |first=Joe |date=April 15, 2011 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326182050/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/the_sims_medieval/b/pc/archive/2011/04/15/the-sims-medieval-review-lutes-and-tights-can-39-t-save-this-sim.aspx |url-status=live }}

| Gamekult_PC = 7/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/les-sims-medieval-3010008423/test.html |title=Test: Les Sims Medieval (PC) |language=fr |author=ALS |date=March 28, 2011 |website=Gamekult |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326232129/https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/les-sims-medieval-3010008423/test.html |url-status=live }}

| GamePro_PC = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218534/review-the-sims-medieval/ |title=Review: The Sims Medieval (PC) |last=Glasser |first=AJ |date=March 22, 2011 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=GamePro Media |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127132136/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/218534/review-the-sims-medieval/ |archive-date=November 27, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

| GameRev_PC = A−{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/51171-the-sims-medieval-review |title=The Sims Medieval Review (PC) |last=Hunt |first=Geoff |date=April 29, 2011 |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919085144/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/the-sims-medieval |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |url-status=live}}

| GMaster_iOS = 78%{{cite magazine |title=Review: The Sims Medieval (iOS) |magazine=GamesMaster |publisher=Future plc |date=Christmas 2011 |page=93}}

| GMaster_PC = 78%{{cite magazine |title=Review: The Sims Medieval (PC) |magazine=GamesMaster |publisher=Future plc |date=June 2011 |page=81}}

| GSpot_PC = 6/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-medieval-review/1900-6308371/ |title=The Sims Medieval Review (PC) |last=VanOrd |first=Kevin |date=April 12, 2011 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326182555/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-sims-medieval-review/1900-6308371/ |url-status=live }}

| IGN_PC = 8.5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/24/the-sims-medieval-review |title=The Sims Medieval Review (PC) |last=Tanner |first=Nicole |date=March 24, 2011 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326182050/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/24/the-sims-medieval-review |url-status=live }}

| JXV_iOS = 12/20{{cite web |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015741-les-sims-medieval-test.htm |title=Test: Les Sims Medieval (iOS) |language=fr |author=Lena |date=September 26, 2011 |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=Webedia |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326232131/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015741-les-sims-medieval-test.htm |url-status=live }}

| JXV_MAC = 13/20{{cite web |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014615-les-sims-medieval-test.htm |title=Test: Les Sims Medieval (Mac, PC) |language=fr |author=Lena |date=March 25, 2011 |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=Webedia |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326232129/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014615-les-sims-medieval-test.htm |url-status=live }}

| JXV_PC = 13/20

| ML_MAC = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/sims_medieval_review |title=The Sims Medieval Review |last=Bellamy |first=Seamus |date=July 18, 2011 |website=MacLife |publisher=Future US |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903062119/http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/sims_medieval_review |archive-date=September 3, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

| PCGUK_PC = 70%{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-sims-medieval-review/ |title=The Sims Medieval review |last=Stapleton |first=Dan |date=March 30, 2011 |website=PC Gamer UK |publisher=Future plc |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326182050/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-sims-medieval-review/ |url-status=live }}

| PG_iOS = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-sims-medieval/the-sims-medieval-iphone-review/ |title=The Sims Medieval |last=Brown |first=Damon |date=September 30, 2011 |website=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media Ltd |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326182050/https://www.pocketgamer.com/the-sims-medieval/the-sims-medieval-iphone-review/ |url-status=live }}

| TA_iOS = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/09/29/the-sims-medieval-review-sims-and-wizards/ |title='The Sims: Medieval' Review – Sims and Wizards |last=Klosowski |first=Thorin |date=September 29, 2011 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112074923/https://toucharcade.com/2011/09/29/the-sims-medieval-review-sims-and-wizards/ |url-status=live }}

| rev1 = The Escapist

| rev1_PC = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-sims-medieval-review/ |title=The Sims Medieval Review (PC) |last=Tito |first=Greg |date=March 29, 2011 |website=The Escapist |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401063618/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/8750-The-Sims-Medieval-Review |archive-date=April 1, 2011 |url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Metro

| rev2_PC = 7/10{{cite news |url=https://metro.co.uk/2011/03/31/the-sims-medieval-review-647779/ |title=The Sims Medieval review – fairy tale adventure (PC) |last=Hargreaves |first=Roger |date=March 31, 2011 |newspaper=Metro |publisher=DMG Media |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406121715/http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/859676-the-sims-medieval-review-fairy-tale-adventure |archive-date=April 6, 2011 |url-status=live}}

}}

The PC and iOS versions received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Nicole Tanner of IGN said of the PC version, "The Sims Medieval has successfully breathed new life into a franchise that was getting pretty stale. ... Even with its minor flaws, The Sims Medieval mixes a great sense of humor with simple role-playing game mechanics that result in hours of fun."

Felix Atkin of The Observer praised the game, deeming it as "enchanting stuff set in a beautifully animated and immersive fairy-tale world. And with a clearer structure for achieving quests and character development, it will appeal to RPG fans as never before."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/mar/27/the-sims-medieval-review |title=The Sims Medieval — Review |last=Atkin |first=Felix |date=March 27, 2011 |newspaper=The Observer |publisher=Guardian Media Group |access-date=March 27, 2011 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310065846/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/mar/27/the-sims-medieval-review |url-status=live }} Video game magazine Edge wrote, "It's a funny and sweet time sink, and something that any Sims fan can wholeheartedly enjoy." AJ Glasser of GamePro said, "As let down as I am, though, I'm not ready to get out my pitchfork. Some things in this game kept me coming back for 20 hours. ... The Sims Medieval is a beautiful game with fun and interesting ideas, but it doesn't live up to my fantasy of the Middle Ages and it doesn't completely satisfy the Sims fan in me."

Greg Tito of The Escapist gave the PC version a score of four stars out of five, saying, "Maxis wagered that adding fun new game elements to its blockbuster franchise would work, and The Sims Medieval succeeds sufficiently to start its own branching franchise. Expect an expansion pack or ten." Roger Hargreaves of Metro gave it seven out of ten, calling it a "surprisingly daring mix of interactive narrative, role-playing game and life simulator – and nothing like the lazy cash-in you'd expect". Samantha Nelson of The A.V. Club gave it a B−, saying, "While some Sims fans might find the addition of quests and a leveling system makes {{sic}} the game even more addictive, The Sims Medieval does away with some of the series' classic components, like designing buildings and watching your Sims age."{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-sims-medieval-1798224986 |title=The Sims Medieval (PC) |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |date=April 11, 2011 |website=The A.V. Club |publisher=G/O Media |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414105548/http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-sims-medieval,54376/ |archive-date=April 14, 2011 |url-status=live}}

An expansion pack (branded as "adventure pack") titled The Sims Medieval: Pirates & Nobles was released in North America on August 30, 2011. Pirates and Nobles is also included in a deluxe edition of The Sims Medieval.{{cite web |url=https://worthplaying.com/article/2011/11/1/news/83958-the-sims-medieval-deluxe-edition-bundles-expansion/ |title='The Sims Medieval' Deluxe Edition Bundles Expansion |author=Rainier |date=November 1, 2011 |website=Worthplaying |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206104444/https://worthplaying.com/article/2011/11/1/news/83958-the-sims-medieval-deluxe-edition-bundles-expansion/ |url-status=live }} The pack features a new kingdom ambition, new traits and legendary traits, new clothes, over 140 new objects (including an interrogation chair), new quests, and new social interactions. There is also a new treasure-hunting mechanic with maps, shovels, treasures, and dangers. Additionally, the pack introduces pets, new NPC pirates, and a new creature, baby pit beast, which is a new type of Sim death.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/21/the-sims-medieval-pirates-nobles-review |title=The Sims Medieval: Pirates & Nobles Review |last=Michael |first=Jon |date=September 21, 2011 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=August 23, 2012 |archive-date=November 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128084424/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/21/the-sims-medieval-pirates-nobles-review |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.simprograms.com/31651/the-sims-medieval-pirates-nobles-adventure-pack-press-release/ |title=The Sims Medieval – Pirates & Nobles Adventure Pack Press Release |date=July 7, 2011 |website=SimPrograms |publisher=Electronic Arts |access-date=August 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122020141/http://www.simprograms.com/31651/the-sims-medieval-pirates-nobles-adventure-pack-press-release/ |archive-date=January 22, 2012 |url-status=dead}}

{{Video game reviews

| align = left

| title = The Sims Medieval: Pirates & Nobles

| MC = 67/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-sims-medieval-pirates-and-nobles/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=The Sims Medieval: Pirates & Nobles for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326220514/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-sims-medieval-pirates-nobles |url-status=live }}

| Gamekult = 4/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/les-sims-medieval-nobles-et-pirates-3010009632/test.html |title=Test: Les Sims Medieval – Nobles et Pirates |language=fr |author=ALS |date=September 8, 2011 |website=Gamekult |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=May 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501073513/https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/les-sims-medieval-nobles-et-pirates-3010009632/test.html |url-status=live }}

| IGN = 5.5/10

| JXV = 13/20{{cite web |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015605-les-sims-medieval-nobles-pirates-test.htm |title=Test: Les Sims Medieval : Nobles & Pirates |language=fr |author=Lena |date=September 2, 2011 |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=Webedia |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219103506/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00015605-les-sims-medieval-nobles-pirates-test.htm |url-status=live }}

}}

Pirates & Nobles received "average" reviews according to Metacritic.

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{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20130521034616/http://www.ea.com/the-sims-medieval}}
• {{moby game|id=/sims-medieval}}
• {{moby game|id=/sims-medieval-pirates-nobles|name=The Sims Medieval: Pirates & Nobles}}

{{Sim series|thesims=yes}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sims Medieval, The}}

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