Northgard

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 20,527 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Northgard Game Cover
Northgard is one of the prettiest titles in the genre, and with a very addicting gameplay loop, players are sure to spend several dozen hours to it.
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In Northgard, you lead a Viking clan to settle and conquer a newfound continent. Manage resources, expand territory, battle enemies, and endure harsh winters in this strategy game. A mystical rune challenges your clan's fate, introducing a single-player campaign filled with lore and unique quests. Adapt to a variety of biomes, each with unique challenges and benefits.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Android
  • Gog Com
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 20,527 reviews
gameplay1,130 positive mentions
grinding167 negative mentions
  • gameplay3,103 mentions

    The gameplay of *Northgard* has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its unique blend of real-time strategy and resource management mechanics, particularly the seasonal challenges and territory control elements. While some find the gameplay engaging and strategic, allowing for various paths to victory, others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth, especially in combat mechanics. Overall, the game is noted for its charming visuals and accessibility, making it suitable for both casual players and those seeking a more strategic experience, though some players feel it could benefit from additional complexity and content.

    • “I have really enjoyed this game and I think it really hits the mark design-wise when it comes to gameplay, being very fun while still having a lot of strategic depth and important decision-making.”
    • “The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and depth, making it easy for newcomers to jump in while offering plenty of strategic depth for seasoned players to sink their teeth into.”
    • “The gameplay is interesting, as is the story campaign.”
    • “The graphics look like they were an adaptation from a phone game, the story is mediocre, and the gameplay is dull and slow.”
    • “The gameplay is less dynamic because of the lacking unit roster (3 base units + general, and maybe 2-3 special per clan unit) and the tiled/zoned map and scouting that take a while.”
    • “The gameplay is painfully slow, and somewhat punishing for making rash decisions.”
  • story2,508 mentions

    The story aspect of Northgard has received mixed reviews from players. Many appreciate the engaging narrative that introduces various Viking clans and their unique mechanics, often describing the story mode as a helpful tutorial for new players. However, some criticize the story for being simplistic, repetitive, and lacking depth, with a few missions feeling tedious or poorly designed. Overall, while the story mode is seen as a fun introduction to the game, players express a desire for more content and complexity in the narrative.

    • “The story mode is a great tutorial for each clan, although I found its story to be quite weak.”
    • “The story mode helps you learn the ins and outs of the game.”
    • “The campaign story is captivating enough to want to complete it but the writing is elementary giving reason to skip it the second time and forth.”
    • “The story mode is bland and I couldn't deal with it past the second mission, while in skirmishes the AI is much more engaging.”
    • “The story campaign is mediocre, and the gameplay is dull and slow.”
    • “The story is a bland and boring 'I must revenge dead family member #13' with some 'Norse' mythology slapped on top.”
  • graphics1,756 mentions

    The graphics of Northgard have received widespread praise for their charming, hand-drawn art style and vibrant, detailed environments that effectively evoke a Norse mythology theme. Many players appreciate the game's colorful and cartoonish aesthetic, which enhances immersion and complements the gameplay, although some note that the graphics may feel simplistic or reminiscent of mobile games. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, contributing to its appeal and enjoyment.

    • “I fell in love with the art style of this game; it just looks so good and they really nailed the various clan looks and building structures. The various game artworks that can be found are all just really high-quality work, which makes the game even more enjoyable to play because I feel like I can be immersed properly.”
    • “The game's graphics are stunning, with detailed landscapes, vibrant colors, and impeccable attention to detail. The art style blends beautifully detailed landscapes with a charming, cartoonish aesthetic.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the music is phenomenal, and I've enjoyed every moment I've spent in this game. The graphics are very nice, cartoonish but really pleasant, and it seems that it is not that heavy on the hardware side.”
    • “The graphics look like they were an adaptation from a phone game; the story is mediocre, and the gameplay is dull and slow.”
    • “The graphics are confusing, and the buildings look alike.”
    • “The cute graphics and the Viking theme aren't nearly enough to make it enjoyable, and leaves me with the impression of running a bland second-rate mobile game.”
  • music646 mentions

    The music in Northgard is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, featuring a beautiful, Norse-inspired soundtrack that complements the game's visuals and gameplay. However, many players note that the soundtrack can become repetitive due to a limited number of tracks, leading to a desire for more variety. Overall, the music enhances the game's charm and contributes significantly to the overall experience, though some players wish for additional compositions to maintain engagement over longer play sessions.

    • “The soundtrack, filled with atmospheric, Norse-inspired music, perfectly complements the gameplay, while the ambient sounds of nature and battle further enhance the immersion.”
    • “Northgard perfectly balances combat and city management with beautiful landscapes and an incredible soundtrack.”
    • “The music is excellent, it fits the theme almost perfectly and in my opinion it sounds pretty awesome while you are playing the game.”
    • “Repetitive music and money product on the main menu are a big turn off.”
    • “There’s not many music tracks, so I soon put my own music on.”
    • “The only downside is that there's no mute for the music.”
  • replayability495 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the benefits of random map generation, diverse clans, and various game modes, including skirmish and conquest, which keep the experience fresh and engaging. While some users note that the campaign lacks depth and replay value, the multiplayer and co-op options significantly enhance replayability, making it appealing for both solo and group play. Overall, the game is considered highly replayable, especially with ongoing updates and new content.

    • “The game is very replayable, thanks to the variety of clans, maps, modes, and difficulty settings.”
    • “The ever-changing maps provide endless replay value and keep players engaged for hours on end, always eager to discover what lies beyond the fog of war.”
    • “Northgard offers significant replay value due to its diverse gameplay options and random map generation.”
    • “Replayability just isn't there.”
    • “There's absolutely no replay value in this game.”
    • “Overall fun for a little bit, but was lacking replayability for me.”
  • grinding188 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players noting that it requires an excessive investment of hours to achieve meaningful progress. While some enjoy the depth and challenge it brings, others find the repetitive tasks and micromanagement frustrating, leading to a sense of burnout. Overall, players recommend the game with the caveat that it demands a significant commitment to grinding, often likening it to needing a "second life" to fully engage with its mechanics.

    • “It's engaging but not tedious, and just tricky enough to be fun without being frustrating.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Spending hours grinding this stupid game mode to upgrade food production as much as humanly possible.”
    • “It was more tedious than fun.”
    • “You cannot move one step forward in this game without the tedious 2 steps back; your clan gets sad so quickly and it doesn't even tell you why.”
  • stability156 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay on certain platforms, the overall consensus indicates that the game is plagued by freezing, crashes, and unresponsive features, leading to frustration and a lack of endorsement from several reviewers. Despite its potential and enjoyable gameplay, the persistent technical problems detract from the overall experience.

    • “From a technical point, the game runs great.”
    • “The graphics are really nicely done, and I found the game to be completely bug free.”
    • “Very polished, bug free, runs great.”
    • “Full of bugs and glitches; they spend all their time working on paid DLC that breaks the game even more rather than sorting out all the issues and problems.”
    • “Game is unplayable in 4 out of 5 multiplayer matches due to lags, sometimes never-ending freezes, and I can say this was not happening a few years back.”
    • “It's frustrating when you play a match and 45 minutes to an hour in, the game freezes, fails to reconnect, and you waste time with a defeat.”
  • atmosphere144 mentions

    The atmosphere of *Northgard* is widely praised for its immersive and enchanting qualities, characterized by stunning graphics, a captivating Norse-inspired soundtrack, and realistic ambient sounds that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's artistic design, which effectively captures the essence of Viking culture and mythology, creating a cozy yet engaging environment. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay, the rich atmosphere remains a significant draw for many, making it a memorable journey into a mythical world.

    • “The soundtrack, filled with atmospheric, Norse-inspired music, perfectly complements the gameplay, while the ambient sounds of nature and battle further enhance the immersion.”
    • “With its engaging gameplay, beautiful art style, and rich atmosphere, it's a journey into the heart of Norse mythology that you won't soon forget.”
    • “The atmosphere, sounds, survival elements, graphics, and the many ways that you can win the game are all fantastic.”
    • “I enjoyed the moments where I stared at the atmosphere of the game; the gameplay parts are awful.”
    • “I bought this game as some say it is like Settlers and Age of Empires, well I wish they would go and play Settlers and Age of Empires as this is nothing like it. Yes, it is an RTS, but that's where it stops. It is more of a city-building game: build and farm, kill one or two enemies, no real battles and slow building. It is a good game and I do enjoy games like this, but I am let down by the lack of speech; it makes the game flat and loses atmosphere. Also, the game is a bit slow, and once you have completed a couple of maps, it gets to be a bit of a bore.”
    • “I hoped for some sort of 'The Settlers' atmosphere and gameplay, but I didn't really get a lot.”
  • optimization136 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and server instability, particularly during late-game scenarios or when many elements are on screen. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly on lower-end systems, others experienced severe lag and bugs that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the game's optimization appears to require further improvement to meet player expectations consistently.

    • “The game runs smoothly and has no major bugs or glitches.”
    • “Very good optimization, very good graphics, very smooth mechanics, and I believe it’s also a user-friendly environment where nothing seems too difficult.”
    • “Fantastic game, runs smoothly, nicely done!”
    • “Poor optimization, servers are non-functional.”
    • “Unfortunately there are still performance issues after so many years.”
    • “The game's optimization has suffered poorly as time has gone on.”
  • humor82 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it genuinely funny due to quirky mechanics, amusing character sounds, and entertaining scenarios, especially in multiplayer settings. However, some reviewers criticize the humor as inconsistent or cringy, particularly when it relies on outdated mechanics or bugs. Overall, while the game has its comedic moments, opinions vary widely on its effectiveness and appeal.

    • “It's a very funny game and I recommend it to any fan of the RTS genre that are looking to a new formula to freshen up the game experience.”
    • “The sounds are amazing, the grunts that the characters make are hilarious, and overall I thoroughly enjoy this game.”
    • “This is what happens when killing dragons and exploring dungeons comes to an end for dragonborn when actually becoming a high king, and paperwork starts and things happen, the worst of all: the unrealistic expectations from stupid villagers, which ironically yet hilariously accurate and realistic with real-world expectations from gamers and game publishers nowadays.”
    • “The DLCs are not expensive, but the very fact of such a 'cut' and splitting each clan separately for €5, totaling an additional ~€50 of the cost of the game, making it a €75 game if you want to have everything, for a relatively small indie game is just not a funny joke. In my opinion, this controversy is the main reason for the thumbs down.”
    • “You're not funny!”
    • “The tech tree and trade is limited and just runs out so fast it's not funny.”
  • monetization49 mentions

    The monetization system in the game has received significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the reliance on multiple paid DLCs to access additional clans and content. While some players appreciate the added variety from the DLCs, the overall sentiment is that the game feels designed to extract more money from players rather than provide a complete experience. Concerns about fairness and the game's initial promise being undermined by aggressive monetization practices are prevalent among reviews.

    • “Also, all the people giving the game a negative review because there are microtransactions are being silly.”
    • “Before buying this game, take into consideration the monetization and that with time there will be more DLC to buy in order to have the full game.”
    • “[*] microtransactions that are purely optional and do not provide an unfair advantage to the buyer.”
    • “The game itself was quite nice in the beginning, but now I would say it is only a cash grab.”
    • “Stay away from this cash grab; they broke all their promises because the game right now is just the worst pay-to-win multiplayer experience, and the campaign is so boring after playing the multiplayer that you might as well never play it.”
    • “The monetization scheme is very bad and greedy as of now.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of frustration and warmth; while some players express disappointment with certain mechanics and AI, many highlight the game's wholesome community, charming visuals, and engaging storylines that evoke nostalgia and personal connection. The diverse clans and their unique traits foster emotional attachment, making the gameplay feel more personal compared to similar titles. Overall, players appreciate the heartwarming experience it offers, whether playing solo or with friends.

    • “It makes you feel emotional.”
    • “An interesting game with the different clans providing interest both at the play level and an emotional attachment (find the clan that expresses your 'inner barbarian').”
    • “Very interesting campaign, touching story.”
    • “Despite the few unique innovations, you can’t escape the feeling that you’re just playing a slower Warcraft 3 with a far more boring story.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized as lacking depth, with many reviewers describing it as non-existent, cheesy, and cliché. While the character designs and environmental details are praised for their immersion and aesthetic appeal, they do not compensate for the weak narrative and character growth. Overall, the storyline and artistic elements are appreciated, but they fall short in delivering meaningful character development.

    • “The attention to detail in the environment and the character designs adds an extra layer of immersion to the gameplay experience.”
    • “The storyline of the campaign is well done, including animations, art style, character design, and traits.”
    • “I love the Viking theme, the character designs, and the different clans.”
    • “Intrigue and character development are kindergarten level.”
    • “Character development is non-existent, cheesy, cliché, and bad.”
    • “For the depth of this game, and zero character development, I would only pay $0.99 for it.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Northgard

Play time

17hMedian play time
101hAverage play time
15hMain story
85hCompletionist
6-72hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 159 analyzed playthroughs

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