Raiders of the North Sea

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 162 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Raiders of the North Sea Game Cover
Starting at $4.16Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Apple Store

"Raiders of the North Sea" is a digital adaptation of the award-winning board game, where players assemble a crew and outfit a longboat to raid settlements for gold and fame. With cross-platform online play, the game features deep worker placement strategy, allowing players to harvest resources and hire a Viking crew to win gold and glory through daring raids. Survive battles with the legendary Valkyrie and impress your Chieftain to earn your place among the legends of the North Sea.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 162 reviews
graphics10 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • Excellent adaptation of the board game with smooth gameplay and beautiful graphics.
  • Fun and engaging worker placement mechanics that capture the essence of the original game.
  • Good single-player experience with challenging AI and a well-structured campaign mode.
  • Online multiplayer is plagued with connection issues, crashes, and a lack of player base.
  • The game lacks essential features like volume control and the ability to disable the turn timer, which hampers the multiplayer experience.
  • Absence of expansions and a clunky user interface detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • graphics16 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received positive feedback for their vibrant artwork, responsive interface, and overall high-quality presentation, enhancing the gaming experience. Many users appreciate the attention to detail in animations and sound design, which contribute to an enjoyable atmosphere. However, some players feel that while the graphics are impressive, they do not compensate for certain gameplay shortcomings.

    • “The good of the digital implementation: the graphics are easy on the eye, the interface is responsive, the sound design and animations are as good as you could hope for, very competently designed all around.”
    • “I like the animations and how the designers and development team added a great mood in the graphics and sound to enjoy the game.”
    • “Overall sound and graphics are well above standard for a digital board game.”
    • “Tbh if it wasn't for the artwork, I wouldn't have finished the first game.”
    • “Wasn't sure about the look of the graphics at first as it felt like it made it less of a game, but I have gotten used to them.”
    • “The extra graphical details do not make up for the lack of basic game options, such as the ability to turn off a horribly implemented and opaque turn timer.”
  • gameplay11 mentions

    The gameplay of this worker placement board game is praised for its smooth mechanics and engaging Viking theme, making it accessible yet strategic. Players appreciate the innovative mechanic of placing one worker and pulling another, which adds depth to the experience. Overall, it offers a well-executed solo campaign and is highly recommended for fans of euro-style games.

    • “The gameplay is smooth and the challenges you can experience solo (campaign, vs AI) are really well done.”
    • “Raiders of the North Sea is a wonderfully thematic worker placement euro-game with excellent mechanics.”
    • “Gameplay is simpler than Root, but definitely requires thought and strategy.”
    • “If you like worker placement board games as a theme, you will love this: the mechanic that you place one and pull another is a genius idea.”
    • “If you like euro board games (or kiwi-euro), this is the online implementation of the game that turned worker-placement mechanics on its head.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is minimal, primarily serving as a backdrop for the gameplay, which consists of a 12-mission campaign that lasts about 15 hours. Players appreciate the gradual difficulty increase, starting with easier missions that function as tutorials before introducing more challenging scenarios against multiple opponents. Overall, the narrative is seen as a simple yet effective framework for an engaging board game adaptation.

    • “I had a blast playing the 12 mission campaign which took about 15 hours to complete.”
    • “I don't normally do reviews, but I've just had a playthrough of the tutorial and the first campaign mission, and I have to say this is an excellent adaptation of a board game, very easy to pick up.”
    • “That's all the story you need!”
    • “The AI starts with effectively a 3-5 turn advantage in most missions.”
    • “There are a dozen missions with slight variations to the rules.”
    • “The first few missions are pretty easy -- I guess they serve as an extended tutorial, but as soon as you face three opponents (who usually start with a boost), you need both luck and good thinking to win.”
  • music4 mentions

    The game's music is generally well-received, complementing its visual style, but it suffers from a significant flaw: the absence of a volume control for both music and sound effects, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The game also has a great visual style and music to go along with it.”
    • “The first flaw is that there's no volume control for the music and sound effects in this game.”
    • “The music is no big loss for us, but the sound effects - even at a low volume - are an integral part of a video game's interface.”
    • “There is no volume slider for the music and sound effects.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with users reporting frequent bugs, freezing issues, and disconnections during online play. While some players note that the AI performs well and appears bug-free, the overall experience is marred by technical problems that hinder enjoyment.

    • “The game appears to be bug-free, and the AI is competitive.”
    • “I haven't encountered any crashes or glitches, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive; I can play for hours without any issues.”
    • “This game is very buggy.”
    • “However, I can't recommend it as every online game I've played with friends, it freezes up on one of us or kicks us from the game.”
    • “But the implementation is too buggy.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized for single-player experiences, providing smooth performance and enjoyable gameplay. However, players have noted that the AI could use improvement, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Runs smoothly and the loop is fun.”
    • “Single player runs smoothly, but the AI is simply lacking.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The digital version of the board game successfully replicates the original's pace and atmosphere, providing an immersive experience that resonates well with players familiar with the physical game.

    • “I have the actual board game, and this digital version perfectly captures the pace and the atmosphere of the game.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's humor, noting that the smooth animations add a charming and funny element to the experience. However, some feel that the absence of expansions limits the comedic potential.

    • “The game is great; the smooth and quick digital animations are kind of funny and add a sweet touch to the experience.”
    • “The humor in the game is cleverly woven into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
    • “I love how the characters have quirky personalities that bring a lighthearted feel to the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Raiders of the North Sea

Videos

Similar Games

Game News