Before you install
Not published RAM minimum. See all specs.
Free-to-play, in-game purchases
Source-based guide. Hands-on review is not published yet. Our method.
What is Rise of Kingdoms?
In Rise of Kingdoms you pick a historical civilization, grow a city from a small settlement and send armies led by famous commanders across a shared real-time map.
Lilith Games released a native Windows client, so no emulator is needed on PC.
What the game is
Rise of Kingdoms is a real-time strategy MMO on a persistent world map. You build your city, train troops, research technology and expand territory. The map is shared with thousands of other players in your kingdom. Alliances fight for control of key objectives, making diplomacy and coordination as important as military power.
Thirteen civilizations are available, each with a unique bonus: Rome for infantry, Germany for cavalry, China for building speed, and so on. Your choice affects early strategy but can be changed later.
Gameplay loop
- Build your city. Upgrade buildings for troops, resources and technology.
- Train and upgrade commanders. Pair commanders with troops based on their talent trees and skills.
- Explore the map. Attack barbarians, gather resources, discover villages.
- Join an alliance. Territory control, rallies against enemy alliances and group events drive the endgame.
- Kingdom vs Kingdom (KvK). Seasonal cross-server wars where entire kingdoms fight for supremacy.
System requirements
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Any modern processor | Intel i5 equivalent |
| RAM | Not published | 16 GB recommended |
| GPU | Integrated graphics OK | Dedicated GPU for large battles |
| Storage | 10 GB+ | SSD preferred |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
The native client runs well on most PCs. Large alliance battles with hundreds of players can cause frame drops on weak hardware.
Monetization
Gem packs, resource bundles, commander sculptures and speed-ups. Rise of Kingdoms is a long-term game where spending accelerates progression. Top competitive play requires significant investment. Free players can enjoy the game casually and contribute to alliances without spending.
The "Lucerne Scrolls" events and daily missions provide free gems and rewards for active play.
Tips for new players
- Pick a civilization that matches your playstyle. Germany for cavalry, Rome for infantry, China for fast building.
- Join an active alliance on day one. Alliance help reduces building times and alliance gifts provide free resources.
- Focus on one commander pair first. Spreading sculptures across many commanders weakens all of them.
- Do not rush City Hall. Upgrade resource buildings and troops between City Hall upgrades to stay balanced.
- Save speed-ups for events. "More Than Gems" and "Mightiest Governor" events reward strategic speed-up usage.
- Play the long game. Rise of Kingdoms rewards patience over months. Short-term rushing leads to burnout.
Who should play this
Players who enjoy long-term strategy with alliance politics, territory warfare and historical themes. If you prefer sci-fi, Star Trek Fleet Command and Project Entropy offer similar alliance mechanics in different settings. If you want solo action, this is not the right game.
Verdict
The most polished alliance-warfare strategy game on the market. Deep enough for competitive players, accessible enough for casual daily play. The native PC client is a welcome addition. Best experienced with an active alliance over months.
Why play it
March, gather and fight in real time alongside thousands of other players.
Big fights are won by coordinated alliances, not solo players.
Civilizations and commanders inspired by real history.
Pros and cons
Pros
- March, gather and fight in real time alongside thousands of other players.
- Big fights are won by coordinated alliances, not solo players.
- Civilizations and commanders inspired by real history.
Cons
- Long-term game: progress is slow by design.
- Spending gives a real edge in wars.
- A 6-core CPU and 16 GB RAM are recommended for the PC client.
Official art and screenshots
Official promotional images from the publisher. Some are marketing art, not in-game captures. Rise of Kingdoms and its artwork are trademarks and copyrights of their respective owners. HudPicks is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher, which may pay us for installs through our orange buttons.
Can your PC run it?
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Not published | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| CPU | Not published | 6-core 3.6 GHz (i5) or Ryzen 5 1600, with AVX |
| RAM | Not published | 16 GB |
| Storage | Not published | 10 GB+ free |
Lilith publishes recommended specs only, so we do not guess a minimum. The CPU must support AVX. A Mac client exists too, but our download button is for Windows. Not sure what you have? Check your specs in 2 minutes.
Beginner tips
- Pick your civilization for your play style: some favor infantry, others cavalry or archers.
- Join an active alliance on day one: alliance help speeds up every build and research timer.
- Keep your builders and research queues busy at all times.
- Use your peace shield when you log off early in the game.
Verdict
Should you play it?
Great for players who enjoy long-term strategy and teamwork. If you want quick matches you can finish in 20 minutes, choose a classic RTS instead.
