Dinolords — After Strategy

Dinolords: tactical RPG + dinosaurs in medieval England — and it's even wilder than it looks

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Dinolords: tactical RPG + dinosaurs in medieval England, and it’s even wilder than it looks

Imagine a mix of Game of Thrones, Jurassic Park and XCOM, sprinkled with a good dose of medieval madness. Welcome to Dinolords, a game that defies logic by throwing dinosaurs into 12th-century England. At first glance, the idea sounds like a game designer’s delirium after three coffees too many. Yet once you try it, you realize it is much more than a gimmick: a deep tactical RPG, an ultra-satisfying strategic combat system, and a unique atmosphere that fits its offbeat universe perfectly. Developed by Northplay and published by Ghost Ship Games, the game entered Steam Early Access in Q1 2025 and is headed for a full release in 2026 — here is why the premise actually works.

A pitch that slaps, but holds up

On paper, Dinolords is the kind of concept that raises eyebrows: “Knights fighting armored velociraptors? Seriously?” Yes, seriously. And the craziest part is that it works. The game drops us into an alternate medieval England where dinosaurs never went extinct. The result? Feudal lords raise T-Rexes like livestock, peasants hunt triceratops for meat, and pitched battles oppose lancer armies to packs of war-trained raptors. But Dinolords is not just a funny “what if”. The studio behind it has worked hard to give this universe real coherence. The dinosaurs are not here just for show: they are woven into society, the economy and, above all, the gameplay. That is where the game becomes truly interesting.

A hybrid gameplay mixing RPG, tactics and management

Dinolords refuses to be boxed in. It is at once: - A tactical RPG where you play a lord (or lady) in charge of managing your domain, recruiting mercenaries and developing your lands. - A real-time strategy game (but not only) where battles take place on a 3D battlefield, with units to position, skills to trigger and a good dose of micro-management. - A dinosaur simulator where you must capture, train and breed your beasts to turn them into war machines. All served with an active-pause mechanic (like in Dragon Age or Baldur’s Gate), letting you take your time to think through your moves without being overwhelmed. Battles are not pure Total War, but rather a mix of XCOM (for light turn-based tactics) and Mount & Blade (for troop and resource management).

Dinosaurs with personality (and stats)

Forget the generic dinosaurs of Jurassic World. In Dinolords, each species has its own role, strengths and weaknesses. A few examples: - Velociraptors: fast, deadly in packs, perfect for harrying archers or mages. - Triceratops: living tanks that can absorb cavalry charges and break enemy lines. - Pterodactyls: aerial scouts that can drop bombs (yes, bombs) on enemy troops. - T-Rexes: heavy, slow but devastating units, ideal for sowing panic in enemy ranks. The best part? You can customize them. A raptor with light armor for more speed? A triceratops fitted with blades on its horns to slice through shields? Anything goes. And like in a true RPG, your dinosaurs gain experience, level up and develop unique skills.

A believable medieval England (despite the dinosaurs)

The most impressive thing about Dinolords is how well the universe holds together. The developers did serious historical research to recreate a credible 12th-century England, then added the dinosaurs without it feeling “too out there”. For example: - Peasants use ankylosaurs as draft animals to plow fields. - Lords hunt the gallimimus for its meat, considered a luxury delicacy. - Copyist monks study dinosaur bones to turn them into bestiaries (a nod to real medieval manuscripts). - Towns are fortified with reinforced walls to withstand predator attacks. Even politics is part of it: you will manage alliances between kingdoms, peasant revolts and religious conflicts… while making sure your favorite T-Rex does not eat the pope’s messenger.

A striking visual style (without being too realistic)

Graphically, Dinolords goes for a dark, realistic “low-fantasy” style with a cartoon touch that keeps things from getting too serious. The dinosaurs are detailed without being hyper-realistic (far from Jurassic Park photorealism), and the settings evoke games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance or Mount & Blade, but with a richer color palette. Combat animations are particularly well done: watching a knight in full armor get launched into the air by an ankylosaur’s tail is both epic and hilarious. And the lighting effects (especially during night battles) add real atmosphere to the clashes.

A promising game still to polish

Dinolords is still in Early Access on Steam, so there are a few rough edges to sand down: - The AI can sometimes make strange choices, especially in large battles. - The balance between human units and dinosaurs is not always perfect (a well-placed T-Rex can break things a bit too easily). - The interface could be more intuitive, especially for domain management. But overall, the game is already very playable, and the developers seem receptive to community feedback for updates. The Early Access roadmap keeps adding content, from new maps to fresh dinosaur species, so the package keeps growing month after month. And when a game dares such a wild concept and pulls it off this well, you gladly forgive a few teething issues.

Who is Dinolords for?

If you like: tactical RPGs with management and impactful choices; strategy games where battle preparation matters as much as the battle itself; alternate universes mixing history and fantasy (or prehistory, as it happens); and dinosaurs (because come on, who does not like dinosaurs) — then Dinolords is for you. The top-down PvE battles reward careful positioning, and the economy of taming beasts gives every campaign a different flavor. On the other hand, if you are looking for a brute-force hack’n’slash or a pure 4X, look elsewhere. Here, thinking, preparation and management come first.

Our verdict: a brilliant oddity worth trying

Dinolords is the kind of game that makes you smile from the main menu. A bold mix, a rich universe, and gameplay that makes you want to spend hours in it. Is it perfect? No. Is it already super fun and promising? Absolutely. If you want an adventure where you command an army of knights riding raptors to conquer England, go for it — the dinosaurs can be tamed, armored and leveled up like any RPG companion, and your settlement grows battle by battle. Ready to become the king (or queen) of the Dinolords?

Sources

Dinolords: Dive into a Fascinating RPG and Strategy Universe

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Dinolords: The Perfect Alliance Between Action RPG and Real-Time Strategy

A captivating mix of action RPG and RTS
Dynamic combat where every move counts
A medieval world populated by dinosaurs to explore
Strategic and customizable mechanics
Continuous evolution based on player feedback

Captivating gameplay
Explore a rich, living world
Dynamic and strategic combat
A game that evolves with its community
Conclusion: a must-discover game

Captivating Gameplay

Dinolords does not just throw dinosaurs at you. It skillfully mixes action RPG mechanics with RTS battles, resulting in rich, varied gameplay. You will really be able to customize your hero, upgrade your skills and make strategic decisions on the battlefield. The idea here is not just to fight stupidly. Every combat requires thought, preparation and, of course, a dash of madness.

To start, you play an English lord, responsible for defending your territory against hordes of prehistoric creatures. It gives a heroic feel, don’t you think? While roaming the world, you can gather resources, build structures and even train dinosaurs to add them to your army. Yes, you can picture yourself riding a T-Rex while commanding your troops from the heights.

Explore a Rich, Living World

The environment design in Dinolords is simply magnificent. The developers really leaned into the collective imagination around dinosaurs and the medieval era. You will find yourself exploring dense forests, lush hills and even ancient ruins. Each zone is full of secrets to discover, quests to complete and enemies to defeat. Speaking of enemies, you will not only cross paths with dinosaurs. Get ready to face other lords and their armies, adding a little spice to the story.

Speaking of the story, it is not just a pretext for shooting dinosaurs. Dinolords’ scenario immerses you in political intrigue, epic battles, and even questionable alliances. You will have to make choices that influence the fate of the kingdom and how other characters perceive your character. That is where the RPG takes on its full dimension.

Dynamic and Strategic Combat

Combat in Dinolords is both intense and thoughtful. You will not just spam your attacks; you will have to choose your own abilities and those of your dinosaurs wisely to maximize your chances of victory. Each dinosaur you control has unique talents and abilities. For example, a Triceratops can easily break enemy lines, while a Velociraptor excels at fast, stealthy attacks.

There is also a formation system that makes each battle even more strategic. You can choose how to align your troops, where to place your prehistoric beasts and define strategies based on the type of enemy you face. Battles thus become puzzles to solve where every move counts.

A Game That Evolves with Its Community

Dinolords is not just a standard launch game. The developers keep a close ear to player feedback and keep updating the game with new features and improvements. This community focus keeps the game fresh and engaging. Whether through updates, seasonal events or even content additions, Dinolords is a living game that knows how to adapt to its fans’ expectations.

Conclusion: a Must-Discover Game

Ultimately, Dinolords is much more than a simple game mixing dinosaurs and knights. It is a captivating experience combining action RPG and RTS, all set in a universe rich in detail and story. The combat is thrilling, the world is vast and full of mysteries, and the customization of your character and your dinosaur army plunges you into the heart of the adventure.

So, ready to ride your dinosaur and defend your kingdom against prehistoric threats and other lords? With Dinolords, the adventure is waiting for you!

What kind of game is Dinolords?

Dinolords is a mix of action RPG and real-time strategy.

Is the game regularly updated?

Yes, the developers update the game with new features and improvements based on player feedback.

Can you play with other players?

The game offers an immersive solo experience, but interactions with other players can occur in events and leaderboards.

Sources

Official Dinolords Steam page

Dinolords — After Strategy

Dinolords: tactical RPG + dinosaurs in medieval England — and it's even wilder than it looks

Dinolords: tactical RPG + dinosaurs in medieval England, and it’s even wilder than it looks

A pitch that slaps, but holds up

A hybrid gameplay mixing RPG, tactics and management

Dinosaurs with personality (and stats)

A believable medieval England (despite the dinosaurs)

A striking visual style (without being too realistic)

A promising game still to polish

Who is Dinolords for?

Our verdict: a brilliant oddity worth trying

See also

Sources

Dinolords: Dive into a Fascinating RPG and Strategy Universe

Dinolords: The Perfect Alliance Between Action RPG and Real-Time Strategy

Table of contents

Captivating Gameplay

Explore a Rich, Living World

Dynamic and Strategic Combat

A Game That Evolves with Its Community

Conclusion: a Must-Discover Game

FAQ

What kind of game is Dinolords?

Is the game regularly updated?

Can you play with other players?

See also

Sources