The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Build vibrant cities in a medieval world with this modernized version of The Settlers – Rise of an Empire. Each character leads their individual lives and can be observed by you at any time. Will you go down in history as a legendary king?
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition is a strategy, city builder and medieval game
developed by Ubisoft Blue Byte
and published by Ubisoft.
Released on January 22nd 2019 is available only on Windows
in 5 languages: English, French, German, Spanish - Spain and Polish.
It has received 670 reviews of which 510 were positive and 160 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. 😊
The game is currently priced at 11.99€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition into these genres:
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System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Originally released for Windows 7, the game can be played on Windows 10 and Windows 11 OS
- Processor: 64-bit CPU
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: 256 MB DirectX 11–compliant card with Shader Model 4.0 or higher
- DirectX: Version 9.0
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 8 GB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX 11-compliant sound card
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
The Settlers: Rise of an Empire is a game I always find myself reinstalling and coming back to, no matter how much time passes. There’s something incredibly satisfying about its slower, more relaxed approach to city building, where watching your settlement grow and your citizens go about their daily routines never gets old. The gameplay loop is smooth, rewarding, and easy to settle into, making it perfect for both short sessions and long playthroughs. What really makes it special is its replayability. No matter how many times you play it over, it never feels boring. There’s a comforting familiarity to it, paired with enough depth to keep things engaging every time you return. The charming visuals, gentle pacing, and well-balanced mechanics make it a timeless entry in the series and a city builder that continues to stand the test of time.
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The Settlers: Rise of an Empire – History Edition is a polished revival of Ubisoft Blue Byte’s 2007 medieval city-builder, a title that leans into the series’ gentler, more atmospheric qualities rather than complex strategic depth. Updated for modern operating systems and hardware, this edition preserves the charm of the original while smoothing out compatibility issues, allowing a new generation of players to experience its slow-paced, village-focused approach to strategy. At its core, the game is built around the fantasy of tending a thriving medieval settlement—watching townsfolk gather resources, produce goods, and fill the streets with everyday activity. It presents the player not as a warlord or empire-crusher, but as a steward of a living community. Rise of an Empire embraces an accessible model of city-building. Production chains still exist, and planning their layout is essential, but the micromanagement that defined earlier Settlers titles is intentionally relaxed. Once a building is placed near the appropriate resource, settlers automatically perform their tasks—cutting wood, farming wheat, baking bread, transporting goods—without the player needing to assign individual jobs. This shift in design philosophy makes the game approachable for players who prefer macro-level planning over intricate logistics. It also lets the simulation breathe: the pleasure of Rise of an Empire comes from its organic rhythms, from watching a settlement hum with subtle efficiency rather than obsessing over every detail. The game’s visual style reinforces its tranquil, inviting atmosphere. The History Edition preserves the warm color palette, detailed 3D models, and fluid animations that made the original so endearing. Buildings rise piece by piece as workers hammer away, citizens stroll along winding paths, and the seasons shift across the landscape. Zooming in to observe the daily routines of the villagers still feels rewarding, giving the world a storybook quality that distinguishes it from more utilitarian strategy titles. This focus on visual storytelling makes the city feel alive, and it’s easy to lose time simply watching the simulation unfold. While Rise of an Empire includes military elements, they remain secondary to economic development. Armies can be trained and sent to capture outposts or defend borders, but combat lacks the complexity of dedicated RTS games. Battles are straightforward and seldom require tactical nuance. As a result, players who enjoy combat-heavy titles may find the military layer too light, while those who prefer peaceful building will likely welcome the relaxed approach. The campaign missions likewise prioritize economic goals and incremental expansion, often revolving around resource acquisition, territory development, or responding to environmental challenges rather than engaging in extended warfare. With this streamlined approach comes a trade-off: the game can feel limited for players accustomed to deeper strategy systems. Once a player understands how to establish efficient production lines and manage settlement growth, the process becomes predictable. Resource chains are short and easy to master, reducing long-term strategic tension. Some missions in the campaign reuse similar objectives, contributing to a sense of repetition over time. The simplicity that makes the game approachable also caps its complexity, which may leave experienced city-builders wanting more challenge or variety. Still, Rise of an Empire’s strength lies in its identity as a calm, satisfying, aesthetically charming medieval builder. It invites players to settle in, take their time, and enjoy the process of nurturing a settlement rather than racing through tech trees or surviving constant threats. The History Edition’s improved performance and compatibility make this experience smoother than ever, while preserving the visual charm that defined the original release. Optional multiplayer adds replay value, though the game still shines brightest in single-player, where its pacing and atmosphere can be fully appreciated. In the end, The Settlers: Rise of an Empire – History Edition is best understood as a cozy, approachable strategy game rather than a deeply competitive or mechanically demanding one. It excels at creating a world that feels lived-in, full of bustling activity and gentle progression. Players who enjoy relaxed city-building, scenic medieval aesthetics, and light strategic planning will find it a warm and enjoyable experience. Those seeking intricate economic systems, challenging military engagements, or intense strategic complexity may find it too simple—but for anyone who values charm, atmosphere, and steady, peaceful growth, this History Edition remains a satisfying and lovingly updated classic. Rating: 7/10
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Good game. Not as "cute" as the very first Settlers game but plays better than most city builder games.
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This game is truly a classic and I have gotten incredibly frustrated trying to find another game that scratches the same itch. It seems other similar city building RTS games released in more recent years, including those in the Settlers series, are just low quality knockoffs. I always end up coming back to Rise of an Empire, still almost 20 years later.
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Not gonna lie, I played this as a kid so I have a lot of nostalgia for it. Is it the best real time strategy game out there? Far from it. But it's fun, at least to me. Note that this game is very easy. It poses no challenge whatsoever, except for like 2 out of 16 missions in the campaign.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition is currently priced at 11.99€ on Steam.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 11.99€ on Steam.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition received 510 positive votes out of a total of 670 achieving a rating of 7.24.
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The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition was developed by Ubisoft Blue Byte and published by Ubisoft.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition is playable and fully supported on Windows.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition is not playable on MacOS.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition is not playable on Linux.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition offers both single-player and multi-player modes.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition offers both Co-op and PvP modes.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition does not currently offer any DLC.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition supports Remote Play Together. Discover more about Steam Remote Play.
The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition does not currently support Steam Family Sharing.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition.
Data sources
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Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 29 January 2026 00:02 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 27 January 2026 07:31 |
| Steam price | 28 January 2026 20:29 |
| Steam reviews | 26 January 2026 19:54 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition
- SteamCharts - Analysis of The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition compatibility
Game modes
Multiplayer
Online players
23
Developer
Ubisoft Blue Byte
Publisher
Ubisoft
Release
22 Jan 2019
Platforms
Remote Play