Steam launch: 90% positive reviews and launch discount - New colony-sim hits 1.0 release with six unique endgame paths

A new 3D colony simulator, Going Medieval, has recently left its early access phase as of March 17, 2026, across Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. Originally scheduled for March 12, the developers delayed the launch by five days to avoid a "crowded week" of city-builder releases. The 1.0 update is a big content drop that transforms the survival sandbox into a more goal-oriented experience, introducing a global stats system and dedicated victory conditions that were previously absent during the testing phase.

Key specs and data

• Pricing: Retails for $29.99, with a 20% launch discount ($23.99) active until March 31.
• Sentiment: Holds a Very Positive (90%) lifetime rating, though recent reviews sit at 76% as players are adjusting to the new 1.0 balancing.
• New roles: Settlers can now be assigned to specialized roles like Librarian, Broker, and Sergeant-at-arms.
• Storage: Requires 5 GB of space; the developer now explicitly recommends an SSD for map generation and mesh fusion performance.
• Steam Deck (curr. $889 on Amazon, 512GB/LCD): Verified as Playable; patch 1.0.49 introduced GPU optimizations like occlusion culling to improve handheld battery life.

The game is set in the aftermath of a 14th-century plague. Going Medieval challenges players to rebuild society using a multi-level voxel building system. The 1.0 release introduces Renown & Global Stats, a background system that tracks your settlement's progress in trade, military, and intellect. Once a specific stat reaches 100%, players can choose one of six Grand Objectives - such as turning the settlement into a world-renowned University or a religious sanctuary - which is basically the final "win condition" for that campaign.

New features and mechanics

The update also adds a lot of depth to the construction and management layers to Going Medieval.

• Drawbridges and defenses: Players can now build functional drawbridges and rally points to better manage sieges and bandit raids.
• New room types: Dedicated training rooms, Treasuries, and Fellows' libraries provide specific buffs to settler skills and item storage.
• Starting scenarios: Four new conditions - A New Life, Pioneer, Peaceful, and Lone Wolf - give you a better difficulty control at the start of a run.
• Visual overhaul: Includes a complete redesign of the management panel, new thought icons for settlers, and an updated tutorial map for new players.

While the "Grand Objectives" give a much-needed sense of closure to the game, as per players, the primary hook here is the intricate building loop and the high degree of settler simulation. The current version features a denser, much more stable experience for those looking for a medieval alternative to titles like RimWorld, especially with the added incentive of the launch discount. You can check out Going Medieval on Steam here.