There’s nothing quite so exciting as building your own empire from scratch, and that’s exactly what Medieval strategy game Rise of Castles: Ice and Fire offers players.

It’s an in-depth, super smart experience with a lot of super cool ideas, whether you’re new to the game or you’ve already been playing for a while.

Where a lot of games trade on the fantasy side of things, there’s a more realistic thread running through Rise of Castles. The world you’re dropped into is barren and wild, and it’s up to you to build yourself a legacy, and a good few castles as well. Once you’ve gathered enough resources, the old world is your oyster.

Your castle might start off as little more than a keep, but the more work you put in, the more impressive it’s going to become. The bigger you grow, the more you’ll need to invest in researching new technology to keep your castle safe.

You’re going to have to keep an eye on your wood, stone and metal as well, with managing your economy just as important as managing your troops.

And you’re going to have a lot of troops to manage, making sure your army is as powerful as it can be with recruits from your barracks, archery range and stables. The combat is deep and tactical, and you’re going to have to use your nous if you want to come out on top.

There are other options open to you, rather than just the sword. Diplomacy can play a key part in your expansion in Rise of Castles: Ice and Fire. Rather than using violence, making deals with other local lords can really work to your advantage.

And on top of all that, there’s multiplayer options as well, where you can find out how your own castle compares with the creations of other players from around the world. 

Rise of Castles: Ice and Fire delivers a hefty slice of modern strategy gaming, and it does it with a Medieval style and sensibility that’s all of its own.

If you’d like to give the game a go, you can pick it up from the Play Store by clicking here, or grab it from the iOS App Store by clicking right here.