Summary
Created mostly by just one developer and with Steam player count records for the genre in the bag,Manor Lordsis already a huge success. However, as stated clearly, the game is very much a work in progress, with many features missing or incomplete during these initial stages of Early Access.
Nevertheless, players are naturally getting excited about features they would like to see inManor Lords, and in fact, the developer has confirmed many planned features such as castles, town walls, rivers, cavalry, and AI settlements. This topic will instead dive into ideas that could be added toManor Lordsfurther down the line, once the vision of the core game has been fully realized.
1Monasteries
Monasteries Were A Prominent Feature Of The Middle Ages
Monasteries were immensely important in the Middle Ages, not just for spirituality, but for commerce too. In fact, monasteries are often described by historians as large corporate enterprises,providing tradeand industry for the region. The possible addition of monasteries toManor Lordswould therefore present many new angles for gameplay. This would be true even if monasteries were only available to the AI, as diplomacy would be vastly different with an abbot and players might be able to import goods such as illuminated manuscripts for their wealthiest citizens.
In terms of players being able to found their own monasteries andbuild them from the ground up, this would likely be more of a challenge to implement. However, the possibilities certainly get the mind rolling, with features such as scriptoriums and the trade of saintly relics.
2Story Events
Events Would Add More Flavor & Could Provide Challenges To Shake Up The Gameplay
The core gameplay ofManor Lordsis an absolute delight, but once players have got their town up and running, things can become a bit stagnant, particularly in terms of difficulty. By adding random story events that pop up from time to time, players will not only have more flavor, but they will have to make tough decisions and perhaps adapt their plans for the following months.
Events could come in different sizes, from small disturbances in the village to instances of the king heading off to war and calling for soldiers. In this example, players would have to choose between temporarily losing workers and upsetting their liege, perhaps atthe cost of influence. As the game is set in the late 14th century, reoccurring waves of the Black Death could be expected and would add a real challenge. Sometimes, events could also be blessings.
3More Animals & More Uses For Them
Players Would Have More Options & The World Would Truly Feel Alive
Domestic animals of all kinds were integral to medieval life, and while some of these are present inManor Lords, it would certainly be great to see more down the line. As the developer has talked about adding pigs, these sources of meat at the very least can be expected. However, being able to build dovecotes for pigeons and doves, or warrens for rabbits, would add even more variety, giving players more options to choose from.
When castles are added to the game, it would also be interesting to see hunting animals such as dogs and falcons, who would need kennels and mews, respectively. Owning such luxuries could perhaps help the lord gain more influence. Furthermore, the options surrounding the current livestock could be enhanced, with players able to breed horses, milk their goats, and have animal skins turned into parchment.
4German Voice Lines
For A Game Set In Medieval Franconia, German Voice Lines Would Help With Immersion
Historical accuracyand immersion are a big part ofManor Lords, and one small way this could be enhanced is with the addition of authentic medieval German voice lines. This is because the game is set in medieval Franconia in what is now southern Germany, where English voices would be out of place.
Of course, such a feature is far down on the priority list and the current voices work very well with there being a certain charm about them. On top of this, hiring voice actors is no cheap or easy process, but with the game achieving tremendous success in the first few days alone, it is still a realistic hope for the future.
5Water Mills
More Choice Is Always Good
Proper rivers are one of the planned features forManor Lords, but whether water mills will accompany them is yet to be seen. Water mills were incredibly useful in the Middle Ages, and it was only later in the period that windmills were invented and slowly began to gain popularity.
As both these types of mills have their advantages and disadvantages, it would be great for players to have a choice.Fishing is another requested featurein the game, and water mills would often have mill ponds where certain people could fish.
6Shorter Working Hours In Winter
Shorter Hours Of Daylight Meant Less Work Could Be Done
The four seasons inManor Lordsplay a vital role, just as they did in the real Middle Ages. However, to take this further and add another layer of difficulty to the game, the work rate in winter could be reduced.
This would make sense, as the shorter daylight hours of winter meant that most medieval people were not able to do as much work. At the very least, tasks such as construction and logging should have their efficiency cut, although perhaps this would work best as a game rule setting that players can opt in for to experience a more realistic challenge.
