Tribes of Midgard
- July 1, 2019
- Norsfell
- 11h median play time
Tribes of Midgard has some great ideas, but the cosmetic rewards, short skill trees and difficulty in unlocking new classes makes it feel a little “early access”.
In "Tribes of Midgard," players must protect their village from giants and other invaders while exploring and looting procedurally generated lands. They can choose from various classes and work together in online multiplayer to gather resources, build defenses, and complete quests to prevent Ragnarok. The survival action RPG offers day-night cycles, seasonal weather changes, and a dynamic world tree that grows as the player progresses.
Reviews
- gameplay1,728 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a repetitive loop that involves gathering resources, crafting, and defending against enemies, which can become tedious over time. While some players appreciate the blend of action RPG and survival mechanics, many criticize the clunky combat, lack of depth, and unpolished mechanics that detract from the overall experience. The game offers two distinct modes—one focused on exploration and building, and the other on chaotic defense—but both suffer from issues like poor tutorial guidance and a lack of engaging content beyond the initial hours of play.
“What’s fascinating is that there are essentially two distinct gameplay modes: one is similar to Terraria, where you can build and explore without nightly invasions, and the other is a chaotic onslaught against your village.”
“The saga mode is a refreshing challenge that blends ARPG, RTS, and survival mechanics and is thrilling to play.”
“With its breathtaking visuals, exhilarating gameplay, and seamless multiplayer experience, it has solidified itself as an essential addition to any gamer's library.”
“Completed the story in 10 hours, the gameplay was very repetitive and the boss fights were pretty boring.”
“The concept for the game is definitely there, but sadly many of the mechanics just feel really clunky and unpolished.”
“This game is a mix of tower defense mechanics and light survival elements, and mixed up with an action rpg core (think diablo).”
- story674 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as basic and underwhelming, with many players noting that it lacks depth and compelling narrative elements. While some enjoy the Norse mythology backdrop and find the gameplay loop engaging, others criticize the repetitive quest structure and the lack of meaningful rewards, leading to a sense of grind rather than immersive storytelling. Overall, the story mode is seen as short and simplistic, often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and resource management.
“Pretty decent story, gameplay is good, and the game loop is highly enjoyable.”
“Exploring the vast wilderness and completing quests not only rewards you with valuable loot but also reveals the rich lore of Norse mythology, adding an extra layer of depth to the game.”
“Love the game - nice story and fun gameplay.”
“Completed the story in 10 hours; the gameplay was very repetitive and the boss fights were pretty boring.”
“The story is whatever, but the survival mode is fun with friends and takes a good amount of time to get through but doesn't really get boring.”
“The quest system is rough. Odd that you take a quest to go to a remote quest giver to get the quest.”
- graphics570 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising its vibrant and unique art style that effectively captures a Norse mythology aesthetic. While some players find the visuals stunning and immersive, others criticize them as feeling more akin to mobile games or lacking depth. Overall, the graphics are generally considered appealing, though performance issues and excessive visual effects during combat have been noted as drawbacks.
“The stunning visuals, character designs, and attention to detail in the environment contribute to an immersive world, while the epic soundtrack amplifies the atmosphere.”
“With its breathtaking visuals, exhilarating gameplay, and seamless multiplayer experience, it has solidified itself as an essential addition to any gamer's library.”
“The game's visuals are stunning, immersing you in a vibrant and expansive world inspired by Norse mythology.”
“My minor complaint is that the flashy graphics during combat can make it very difficult to see what is going on at times; too many effects and explosions obscure yourself and your enemies, especially in multiplayer.”
“I like the game, it's fun and pretty and you can really see the Gearbox art style, but the lack of 3D shading makes it look like a mobile game.”
“The visuals are as uninspiring as a gloomy day in Helheim.”
- grinding504 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in late-game scenarios where progression feels slow and unfulfilling. While some enjoy the grind as part of the gameplay loop, especially in multiplayer settings, others criticize it for being unnecessarily drawn out and lacking meaningful rewards. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game can be fun, the grinding mechanics may deter those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“Very fun, not too grindy.”
“This game is really nice and refreshing, mixes concepts from survival, rogue-lite, and action RPG games in a very nice way - combat feels like Hades, and gathering is not grindy. One tree gather will earn you like 10 wood plus extra secondary items - and the higher your gathering tools level, the more materials you'll earn per gather.”
“Cosmetics that you can earn or buy, but earning isn't as grindy as in other games.”
“When everything was new, it felt great to explore and craft... but once you got a feel for the game, you realize how repetitive and tedious it is.”
“Fun until you realize the best weapons and gear are locked behind tedious challenges for no reason other than 'because'.”
“All of this together leads to a grindy experience that ends up getting unfun pretty fast.”
- stability250 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly impact gameplay and overall enjoyment. Many players describe it as feeling like an early access title, with issues ranging from minor UI problems to game-breaking glitches that can lead to frustrating experiences. While some users note that the game has potential and is improving, the consensus is that it remains too unstable for a full release, making it advisable to wait for further updates or sales before purchasing.
“Very stable, no glitches, great combat, and a beautiful game to boot.”
“Runs great, tons of fun.”
“This game came out a couple of days ago; solid game for sure, no glitches I've seen yet, runs very smooth.”
“The game is a janky, buggy mess.”
“It's very buggy and not worth the money.”
“Game is buggy as hell, people getting disconnected and can't join back, autoloot pets not working, getting stuck on top of cave transitions, way too hard to get cold armor for later days.”
- replayability246 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting a lack of content and variety after initial playthroughs, leading to a perception of limited replay value. While some enjoy the randomized elements and unlockable content that can enhance replayability, others find the gameplay repetitive and easy, diminishing long-term engagement. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game can be fun, especially with friends, its replayability is not robust enough to sustain interest without significant updates or new content.
“For replay value, the randomized worlds, loot grind, and multiple difficulty settings make each playthrough unique.”
“The inclusion of seasonal events and ongoing support further enhances the replayability and longevity of the game.”
“This game offers so much in terms of replayability.”
“Tldr; fun game especially with friends, however content is very limited and only worth picking up on sale as replayability is almost non-existent.”
“The game has little to no replayability as once you've killed Fenrir (about 2 hours of game time) there is nothing left that the game has to offer.”
“In other words, once you figure out how to play it, you will pretty much be halfway done playing the game as it has no replay value... none!!!”
- monetization172 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has drawn mixed reactions from players, with many criticizing the prevalence of microtransactions, particularly for cosmetics, which some feel detracts from the overall experience. While some reviewers note that these purchases do not impact gameplay and can be earned through in-game progression, others argue that the aggressive marketing and UI design make the game feel like a cash grab reminiscent of mobile titles. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the microtransactions are not pay-to-win, their presence in a paid game is seen as unnecessary and frustrating by a significant portion of the player base.
“Some people make a big deal over the fact that there are microtransactions, which I am fundamentally not a fan of, but I would like to point out that all these things can be obtained in-game, and none of them are completely locked out by a paywall.”
“So while there are indeed microtransactions, it is not pay-to-win, and there is no competitive mode, at least at the time of this review.”
“Very appealing and the microtransactions are totally cosmetic which doesn't affect gameplay.”
“The second you get to the main menu you are bombarded by microtransactions and terrible cosmetics that rival mobile games. Of course, you could never expect this had an in-game shop on Steam because the only mention is a tag with 'in-app purchases', which is deceiving because there is no way to tell how large and egregious the cash shop is.”
“Game is alright, but unfortunately it suffers from the epidemics of predatory monetization.”
“Microtransactions, battle pass, poor optimization, confusing tutorial, this game leaves a terrible first impression, especially for a $20 game.”
- music84 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its epic and atmospheric qualities that enhance the Norse mythos setting, while others find it repetitive and lacking in variety. Many appreciate the sound effects and overall integration with the game's aesthetic, but some express a desire for more diverse tracks to avoid monotony. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as decent but not groundbreaking, with a few players suggesting alternative music to enhance the experience.
“The stunning visuals, character designs, and attention to detail in the environment contribute to an immersive world, while the epic soundtrack amplifies the atmosphere.”
“Amazing gameplay loop, artistic design, and beautiful music will keep you coming back for more.”
“Music and sound effects are absolutely fantastic, and in line with the theme; it does not annoy me having to listen to it while roaming around the world.”
“The only thing that comes to mind that I dislike is the music being kind of boring, but hopefully new tracks and music will be added; otherwise, I'll stick to my Altai throat singing playlist to fill the void.”
“- the soundtrack gets repetitive quite easily - there's limited variety that's easily exhausted within one run.”
“That aside, the aesthetic of this game is fair enough, but the background music is rather flat; it doesn't boost my mood at all when monsters were attacking my base or a jotun came into sight.”
- optimization68 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting solid performance and smooth gameplay on high settings, while others experience significant performance issues and high GPU usage, even on lower settings. Many users express a need for further optimization and patches to address bugs and improve overall performance, particularly for those with less powerful PC setups. Overall, while some find the game well-optimized, a considerable number of players highlight it as poorly optimized, leading to frustration.
“The soundtrack is great, as well as the optimization and the art style.”
“The game seems well optimized and professionally crafted.”
“Great game has a lot going for it but still needs time to cook; I would say 1 or 2 more patches and it will run smoothly.”
“As someone who has been playing this for a while, this game needs optimization, not new content.”
“Microtransactions, battle pass, poor optimization, confusing tutorial, this game leaves a terrible first impression, especially for a $20 game.”
“The game itself is okay, but the performance... this game is not even close to the other games I play graphics-wise, but somehow, it makes my CPU and GPU fans go crazy.”
- humor50 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, particularly when playing with friends, as it leads to numerous funny situations and memorable moments. Players find glitches and bugs to be more amusing than frustrating, contributing to a lighthearted experience. Overall, the game's comedic elements, combined with cooperative gameplay, create a hilariously entertaining atmosphere that enhances its replayability.
“At one point you get punched by a lyndworm over the whole map and drown in the sea - funny bug.”
“But if you have your pack, it's a great game that will bring you lots of laughs and funny situations.”
“Coop is where the game shines; funny things happen, and playing on Discord is even better because you need to communicate with your friends to get the jobs done.”
“Not funny”
“Not funny”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The reviews present a mixed perspective on the game's atmosphere, with some praising the stunning visuals, character designs, and immersive soundtrack that enhance the experience, while others criticize the lack of a compelling atmosphere and compare it unfavorably to other titles like Diablo, Don't Starve Together, and Valheim. Additionally, some players feel that harsh gameplay mechanics have negatively impacted the community's overall atmosphere. Overall, the game's art style and world-building receive positive mentions, but the atmosphere remains a contentious point among players.
“The stunning visuals, character designs, and attention to detail in the environment contribute to an immersive world, while the epic soundtrack amplifies the atmosphere.”
“+ cool art style and game world atmosphere”
“+ the atmosphere and music are spot on (could use more tracks though)”
“There is no atmosphere or classes like Diablo.”
“Atmosphere: none.”
“Furthermore, this harsh mechanic has created a negative atmosphere within the community.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, highlighting its wholesome community and charming sound design, which adds to the overall experience. However, frustrations arise from gameplay mechanics, such as the punishing water interactions and navigation issues, which can detract from enjoyment and lead to feelings of inadequacy. Overall, the emotional response is mixed, balancing warmth and community spirit with moments of frustration.
“Made me feel like crap.”
“+ fun sound design and voice acting (non-sensical viking sounding language is heartwarming)”
“Once again, thanks for reading - have you any questions, concerns or comments, leave them either below or find me for a good discussion at their discord - which by the way is one wholesome bunch of community!”
- character development10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its stunning visuals and immersive design, with players appreciating the variety in character customization options such as gear, hair, and pets. The attention to detail in both character and environmental design enhances the overall experience, although some players note that extended play can lead to fatigue. Overall, the character design contributes significantly to the game's engaging atmosphere.
“The stunning visuals, character designs, and attention to detail in the environment contribute to an immersive world, while the epic soundtrack amplifies the atmosphere.”
“The attention to detail in the environments and character designs truly brings the game to life.”
“The character design is fun; I like that they have some cool options for gear, hair, and pets.”
Critic Reviews
Tribes of Midgard review
Tribes of Midgard has some great ideas, but the cosmetic rewards, short skill trees and difficulty in unlocking new classes makes it feel a little “early access”.
75%Tribes of Midgard Review
"While some problems can be overlooked, the half baked ideas, bugs, and overall unbalanced experience keep excitement to keep playing in check. "
70%