If you've ever wondered what an MMORPG version of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 would look like, wonder no more, because Credenzio Studios' Lionhearts looks like it'll answer that question. This persistent medieval open-world sim blends historical strategy with large-scale multiplayer battles, and has already reached its Kickstarter campaign goal.
Set during the 12th-century Third Crusade, gorgeous new MMORPG Lionhearts sees you thrust into the heart of the holy war between the Crusaders and Saracens. To conquer the Holy Lands, you must grow your chosen kingdom's power through your forces, trade, or religion.
It's not only your influence that's critical, however. The medieval game tasks you with expanding and evolving your lands, controlling fiefs where you can build cities and manage taxes to add to your coffers, while also collecting resources (whether online or offline) to build bigger and better structures and fuel your expanding kingdom.
Given this is an MMORPG, however, other players will be out for the same resources and power. Lionheart's persistent open world means each fief is owned by just one player, and others will waste no time trying to take it from you.
There are 12 player-run kingdoms and four military orders per game, with real-life players controlling every position of power, from lords to kings. You can team up with others to take down larger, more dominant adversaries, or work your way to the top of the pile alone, although holding that position could be tough.
Brute force is one way to take power, but Lionheart's deep trade system, which boasts 14 guild types and 66 professions, means you could simply monopolize the Holy Land's resources, giving you the upper hand, particularly as the game rolls on.
Lionheart sounds and looks truly impressive, so it's no surprise that it's already surpassed its Kickstarter goal of £73,354. However, the campaign isn't over yet. There's still just over a week for this medieval sim to reach its larger stretch goals, with the ultimate goal being to self-publish (which requires $4.8 million).
While Lionhearts doesn't currently have a release date, the game has reached its Lionheart Coliseum stretch goal, which will allow players to try out basic combat and is targeting a Q4 2025 release.
We imagine the full release of this medieval MMORPG is some time off, so while you wait, make sure to check out our picks of the best war games and best strategy games.
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