Northgard

Anyone complaining about the amount of DLC needs to take a step back and get some perspective. The game has been out for 7 years and has received consistent free updates and added factions. Some DLC are better than others, ones that are poorly received are typically re-worked and improved. Each faction DLC introduces a faction that typically significantly changes the way you play the game, creating huge replayability regardless if you're more interested in single player, co-op or multiplayer. People comparing it to the Sims need to settle down; sales happen often and you can currently (hippogriff clan release sale) purchase the game and all available content for sub $60. Numerous game modes, procedural map generations and consistent free content updates keep the game feeling fresh and interesting even 7 years on. No microtransactions. Cosmetics you can unlock with gameplay. This is honestly one of the best values in gaming, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes rts/4x games or city builder sims.

Always supporting the game, like updating AI behavior — it's really rare these days for a game to still be supported after its release since 2018. If you love strategy and base building, diplomacy, mythology, and even micromanagement, it's a single-player paradise to chill. The AI is good — beatable, but also smart; not overly frustrating. The game is a must-buy.

Opening the game and seeing that a majority of factions are behind a paywall is a downer. No warning when buying the game. And price for the factions is insane.

I agree with a lot of other people. Great game, but the devs constantly hiding game content behind monetization, when you have already bought the game btw, is just plain greedy and dishonest. I can understand cosmetic DLCs, but NOT actual game content.

Very good, requires a lot less micromanagement than other RTS games, but at the same time has a lot of interesting strategic complexity with the economy and zones. Factions are all asymmetric, with different playstyles, graphics, etc. I don't think most of the negative reviews are worth reading. My only real complaint is that longer matches have an FPS problem and that there are some pretty annoying bugs in the other gamemodes. 9/10

Majority of the clans are locked behind DLC and needing to learn counter-play for clans you can't play is not fun. In some cases you can't effectively counter Clan A until you buy Clan B...

This game is a complete disgrace in its current state. I cannot believe that in 2025, a strategy game still doesn't allow saving during multiplayer games, especially in co-op modes like Ragnarok and Brí­efrost. Who designed this system? What century are we in? Imagine investing 2+ hours into a match, only to have it crash or disconnect – and everything is lost. No save. No reconnect. No resume. Just wasted time and pure frustration. Even 20-year-old RTS games had basic save features. This is not "challenging gameplay" – it's just lazy, outdated design. To make matters worse, the game is riddled with bugs: Units getting stuck in terrain. AI behaving erratically. Occasional desyncs and lag that break the match. Crashes without warning or logs. And what’s the developer's response? Silence. These issues have been known for years, and nothing meaningful has been done. No roadmaps, no patches, no care for the community. I cannot recommend Northgard to anyone in its current state. Until they fix these fundamental flaws, it deserves 1 star at best. Avoid this game unless you enjoy wasting time and being ignored.

I love this game but as of right now I'm on the fence. Initially was an amazing game and they keep adding great features and more clans which I love. The thing that makes me on the fence is the AI. Since they've changed how it works, its not even fun to play against, on harder difficulties AI will just plow through you, especially if its singleplayer conquest and you are an eco clan. The new AI just makes the harder difficulties not even possible. They put their whole population into military and wipe you and if you managed to wipe their army give them one year and they have a bigger army now. Honestly, I'll give it a positive for what it was and in the hopes they fix it, but if youre looking at getting it maybe wait a bit.

9000 clan dlc's. But still not a single “dlc” for the fucking non-trash servers. It could have been a decent game, but Shiro decided to just milk their community. It was a shame to rush out and buy all the dlc's at once. As soon as the developers fix the problems with the game and servers, I will definitely rate this game 10/10. But for now, it's nothing more than a promising project that has been turned into a milking machine.

This game forces you to download DLC even if you didn't purchase it. wasting extra space on my PC. highly immoral. DLC stands for downloadable content, not unlockable content that happens to already be downloaded on your PC

It's a fun game, but after playing with most of the clans, the novelty wore off for me. Higher difficulties are not very fun, and a lot of clans are paid DLCs. I enjoyed this game for some time, but I don't think I would recommend it.

Another game that is ultimately better as reference than enjoyed as a game. I really liked this one, too. The blend of elements from Civ, AoE, and WC3 work fairly well. It's a bit slow as such, which hurts its competitive modes (including the campaign mission challenges). I would recommend the base game for anyone who really wants to study the genre, which I think is compelling because the RTS scene has been in a bit of a state of arrested development for quite some time. Great, well-designed RTS concept; you want how much PER TRIBE? EDIT: I don't think I stressed well enough how interesting the core gameplay is; the elements I mentioned before may be derivations, but Shiro are not lazy copycats. They clearly put in the work to fit their inspiration into a cohesive and compelling narrative-friendly game. Maybe I should stop at "I would recommend this game if you are interested in it;" I'm sure anyone interested can fill in the blanks for themselves. I have purchased tribes in the past but I wouldn't personally do it five more times. I am eyeing the expansions.

This is a great and fun RTS, I really enjoy the game. That's really all I can say about the mechanics, if you are one to enjoy RTS games then Northgard is an experience worth trying at least once. However, I do wish steam has a wider spectrum of reviewing options, because like many, I have an issue with the amount of clans being locked behind paywalls. Now, I don't actually have an issue with this monetisation system, but its just gonna look increasingly ridiculous and stupid for them to keep releasing paid clans without some kind of one-time, mode specific, or scenario specific mode where you're allowed to try a clan out, so you can personally decide if it's going to be a clan thats worth your money and time. Thats all, love the game and base game is very fun and worth it, enough so that despite my issues I'll still give it a positive.

Northgard, developed by Shiro Games, is a compelling real-time strategy game that breathes fresh life into the genre by combining traditional city-building and territory control with Norse mythology and survival mechanics. Players lead a Viking clan that has discovered a mysterious new continent, and from there, must balance expansion, resource management, and combat while facing the unforgiving climate and mythological beasts. What sets Northgard apart from other RTS titles is its clever mix of economic pacing and strategic depth, offering a slower, more thoughtful experience that rewards careful planning over brute force. Each game unfolds across a series of procedurally generated tiles, with players required to scout and colonize one zone at a time. This territory-based system makes expansion a deliberate choice, as each zone requires resources to claim and can only support a limited number of buildings. Managing food, wood, stone, and happiness becomes increasingly challenging, especially during harsh winters that drastically reduce productivity and increase consumption. The need to prepare for seasonal changes adds a unique survival element that forces players to adapt their strategies beyond just managing units and buildings. The game’s asymmetrical clans are another highlight, each offering a different playstyle. Whether it’s the aggressive Wolf Clan, the trading-focused Stag Clan, or the mystical Raven Clan, these factions introduce variety and replayability while staying balanced within the overall framework. Combat is straightforward but impactful—unit micromanagement is minimal, but positioning, upgrades, and timing are critical. Victory can be achieved in several ways, including military conquest, economic dominance, fame, or achieving a special objective like controlling a mythical relic, giving players multiple paths to success. Visually, Northgard is clean and charming, with a stylized aesthetic that complements its Norse setting without overwhelming the player with cluttered detail. Animations are fluid, and weather effects like snow or fog not only look great but affect gameplay meaningfully. The soundtrack and ambient sounds create a fittingly somber yet hopeful atmosphere, reinforcing the theme of a hardy people taming an unknown land. The game also includes a story-driven campaign, multiplayer modes, and regular updates that have expanded the content with new clans, challenges, and game modes. In conclusion, Northgard is a smart, satisfying strategy game that carves out its own niche by marrying Norse mythology with meaningful mechanics and a slower, more strategic tempo. It avoids the genre’s typical pitfalls of frantic micro and overwhelming complexity, instead offering a focused, well-paced experience that’s easy to learn but hard to master. For fans of RTS games looking for something more grounded and methodical—yet still full of personality and challenge—Northgard is a rewarding journey worth taking. Rating: 7/10

Great gameplay with various strategy, many clan many heroes and their special ability but, horrible optimization like every 40 minute or when you have big civilization the game start to run at low fps and much much stuttering. nevertheless this is a good game to train your patient and anger management system because the bot can use the dlc clan which is some of it has much power than regular clan.

All of the DLC combined and on 50% discount costs a more than the base game... Most (if not all) of the DLC should have been in the base game. That is garbage. I will never buy anything from your company again.

Fantastic game with multiple game modes. However, the game can only handle so many controllable units on the map before the game performance is reduced to a crawl and responsiveness between lag spikes prevents any form of accurate control which will guarantee a loss of military and games. In short, I don't recommend this game on principal that the developers should stop releasing DLC and correct these performance issues. Even a single player in bifrost mode can easily hit that unit threshold causing performance to drag.

Its not worth 30 dollars as the standard asking price, its worth closer to 15-20, especially for the second complaint which is there are alot of clans (more than 2/3rds) locked behind DLC, which you have to buy to access. The base game selection only includes 6, as opposed to 14 of them you have to pay extra for. Only buy this game on a deep discount, more like 5-10 dollars, because undoubedly if you like it, you will have to spend more money to experience the rest of the game. Furthermore regarding the technical aspects of the game, its lobbies are hosted on their servers, even in private games, so there is a concern that if, or rather when, they decide to no longer support the game, this game will become a proverbial paperweight. If you plan on playing against AI for coop or what have you, prepare to be disappointed, they are either really dumb, or cracked. You will have some civs not expand a single tile from their HQ (Bug?) and you'll have some civs that have armies really early that is tough to deal with. The AI is easily exploitable with the tall grass or tricking them to pull their forces away. For these reasons I cannot give this game a wholehearted thumbs up, even though the game itself is a decently entertaining RTS.

No save function for multiplayer games that take hours. lol. aids.

Terrible AI. Does a poor job of time invested v how quickly the AI can just wipe you out with repeated mercenary attacks. The game is either comically easy or impossibly difficult. I played just long enough to be unable to refund it. Absolutely cannot recommend

it the most enjoyable game play i had to experience with friends and AI. Very easy to play and have fun.

Overall, this game is fine. Like everyone I find the DLC irritating, but it goes on sale every steam sale so it's not the end of the world. TLDR: You might end up with cascading failure, which is never good for a game. My issues are mostly with the happiness function. I'm constantly chasing it, but when everyone's unhappy they work less which means I can't even build the things they WANT in order to boost their happiness back up. The hard cap on how many buildings you can build in each territory until you can muster up 100 gold is bonkers; my people are unhappy so they work less so I can't afford to build what makes them happy until I expand into a new territory, and now I'm stretched thin and getting attacked three land plots over. Since military buildings count against your limit, I only have one or two of them, so I don't have an army, I have a few soldiers to keep attacking wolves at bay. Additionally, since I'm usually struggling the whole game, the AI is usually overwhelmingly ahead of me with npc relations, since i could never afford to start early enough to outpace them. If I could provide a neutral rating I probably would. It's got cute art and the UI is mostly intuitive. I love the theme, and the winter phase adds some extra challenge, though I don't know if the AI has to really deal with it. The AI is always way ahead of me, I've never been in a position to take them on. I think overall I'd say I really WANT to like this game, but it makes it difficult with various issues across the board.

I've met the point where I cannot in good conscience recommend this game. I play mostly PVE and multiplayer conquest or bifrost. And the Ai on lower difficulties is harder than the AI on higher. Bifrost and Conquest the only 2 PVE modes, other than a normal game with all bots, and they crash or break so often it's hard to get a good game flow going when you are forced to reset every 5-10 minutes. Please Shiro FIX THE GAME, no DLC or major update, only bug and performance fixes PLEASE! I will change my review when this at least is done, but another factor in your buying would be that at least 50% of the game now is locked behind DLC and thats for the clans.

Needs tutorial. Not a game to play and have fun. Very A before B before C, lose lose. Why? Needs Tutorial of fundamentals.

It's fun but damn, like half the game is locked behind paid bundles.

Gameplay Mechanics: 8/10 Narrative: 6/10 Graphics: 7/10 Sound and Music: 7/10 Replayability: 8/10 Innovation: 8/10 Northgard is a fresh and accessible real-time strategy game set in a mythological Viking world. It blends classic RTS mechanics with survival elements, territory management, and unique win conditions—making it stand out from traditional base-builders. Gameplay mechanics are tight and rewarding. Instead of fast-paced APM-heavy gameplay, Northgard emphasizes smart resource allocation, territory control, and seasonal survival. Each clan has distinct strengths and mechanics, giving the game real strategic variety and replay value. Score: 8/10. Narrative is light. The single-player campaign tells a simple Viking tale of revenge and discovery, but it mostly serves to introduce the game's mechanics. It’s fine, but not the draw here. Score: 6/10. Graphics are clean and stylized. The cartoonish art direction works well for readability and charm, even if it's not visually stunning. Landscapes shift with the seasons, which adds both atmosphere and gameplay impact. Score: 7/10. Sound and music are solid. The ambient Nordic-inspired soundtrack and environmental effects do a good job of setting the tone, even if they don't stick with you long after. Score: 7/10. Replayability is strong. With randomized maps, a wide variety of clans, multiple victory paths (military, wisdom, trade, domination, fame), and multiplayer options, it’s easy to come back for “just one more run.” Score: 8/10. Innovation gets points for smartly combining RTS with survival and economy-focused mechanics. The territory system and seasonal challenges create strategic depth not often seen in the genre. Score: 8/10. Bottom line: Northgard is a thoughtful, slower-paced RTS that rewards planning over clicks. It’s one of the few games in the genre that truly innovates without sacrificing accessibility, making it a must-play for strategy fans looking for something a little different.

This game is an absolute must-play with friends. It delivers a perfect mix of strategic gameplay, clever design, and immersive music that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Solid game, very fun to play against or with friends, would recommend even at full price, the combat can be a bit laggy, some units will get stuck on the edge of different zones and watch the other fighters get stomped and watch, but thats the only negative i got from playing

its cool its good its one of the better options for what we have on the market for these kinds of games...

🌟 Northgard - One of the Best Strategy Games I’ve Played ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to get this hooked, but Northgard really surprised me. The mix of strategy, survival, and Norse mythology is done so well. Every clan feels different, and I love figuring out how to make each one work depending on the map and situation. What really sets it apart for me is the seasonal system—winter can absolutely destroy you if you're not prepared. It forces you to think ahead, not just spam units and rush like in other RTS games. There's a lot of strategy in resource management and territory control, and the learning curve is super satisfying. The art style is clean and unique, and the music fits perfectly. I’ve been playing both solo and multiplayer, and both modes are solid. Also, shoutout to the devs for constantly updating the game with new clans and features—definitely feels like a game they care about. If you're into strategy games that reward smart planning and adaptability, I highly recommend Northgard. Worth every dirham.

Easy RTS to learn variety of different clans to choose from and game play is fun

It's not an overly complicated game, but for whatever reason I keep coming back to it.

Northgard is one of the most addictive strategy games I’ve played. Each clan feels unique, and the balance between survival, economy, and combat keeps things exciting. Love the atmosphere and the challenge — highly recommended!

I would recommend only is bought on sale. The story is not bad but easily completed within 18 hours game play. Granted you can do it again to complete bonus tasks or play in various modes but after a week I found it dull and repetitive.

The original base game was already great fun! The game has changed A LOT since then but it's still very good. I personally only play single player games so for me all I can review are the campaigns and single player play. I thought the DLC Campaign was just as good (and it was about time a DLC had single player content apart from just new clans..!!).

Hard to understand at first, something has to click in your brain, and then its very fun

Warcraft 3 but with Norse mythology. Really fun both multiplayer and solo. Endless replayability both solo and multiplayer.

[h1]A Viking RTS That Raids My Free Time[/h1] After 130 hours, I can confidently say Northgard has pillaged its way into my top RTS titles of all time. 🪓 Each clan feels like its own unique faction of chaos and strategy, with mechanics so distinct you’ll keep coming back just to master "one more" playstyle. From lore-hungry sages to wild beastmasters, there’s a flavor for every kind of warlord. This isn’t your typical base-building snoozefest. Northgard keeps the action flowing from minute one—whether you’re surviving winter, dealing with mythic beasts, or launching a well-timed raid on your neighbor’s poorly defended goat pasture (sorry, Bjorn). Add in a solid variety of game modes, evolving meta, and consistent updates from devs who clearly love their game, and you’ve got an RTS with true staying power. If you like your strategy games with a side of snow, wolves, and a whole lot of "just one more game"... welcome home, chieftain. [b]10/10 – Would freeze to death in a longship again.[/b] ❄️🛡️

First of... I really enjoyed the game, nothing special or crazy about it but enough to have good times. Feeling the victory closing in as you beat your opponents with the synergy of your clan is satisfying. Campaign is cool and serves as a tutorial even if it's a bit slow. Fortunately it's optionnal so if you get bored feel free to start a real game since clans specificities are easy to learn by yourself. I like the Real Time Strategy genre and overall I'd sort this game in the well-made ones. Althought, i think you might feel quickly that you've seen everything that the game has to offer if you don't pay more and buy the DLCs.

The game is good. The gameplay is not unique. Everything is built on an acute shortage of resources and the search for a balance of several indicators. Somehow, settlers reminds me of childhood.

Board game simplicity yet challenging to master. Just a real good time!

Great game and continuous updates.

I'm not the biggest City builder fan but, I'm an even bigger fan of viking games so I gave it a shot and I've been having an absolute blast Northgard is an amazing game.

Highly recommended - Easy to pick and hard to master. So much innovation in this gem, no two games will ever be the same. Lots of diversity to find your clan and so many ways to achieve ultimate victory in Northgard. Get it, play it and thank Shiro Games for this masterpiece

So... if you like Civ5 and hated Civ6, this is the real-time speed-run version of Civ5 you will like. Honestly, pretty fun. pretty fast paced. A little confusing for very new players. Things are what you think they are - just... not exactly. And not explained the best. Still, relatively easy to pick up. No real tutorial mode. Just watch a boob-tube or two. Single player, normal mode game takes like 5 hours, dependent on your 'pause' style. A couple of things to mention, that suck: pauses... horrendous implementation. Cant do anything but go AFK. should be able to move around map with camera and inspect buildings, people, etc. Really, not that at all. too bad - was very disappointed with it. Game-speed... for something without any real tutorial - pretty fast. Would be very good for dev's to put a speed adjustment on single-player mode to tone it down. Honestly, its really not that fast - but when you don't have a real clue what is going on, a 1/2 speed option would be really nice. Once you get even a bit of a hang on it though - its fine. if you want, there is a mod out there for game-speed. I have paid for worse games. For a quick-time strategy session, get it on sale & you will most likely appreciate it.

It's simple enough to get started right away, and just enough complexity that you can develop strategies. My favorite thing to do is play custom, private multiplayer with my friend (She LOVES this game) and we play 2v2v2v2 against randomized AI and only Domination as the only win condition. Like any game it has it's problems but it's definitely worth adding to your library.

Tried playing Manor Lords after Northgard, couldn't help but return here. Never really played multiplayer, the AI is kinda whack, but the art style, tiles and necessity to balance the resources is very reminiscent of some MOBAS even. There are some bugs, but with devs sometimes(?) fixing them and abundance of (pay to win??) content, the game is generally worthwile.

dunno what to say really i just cant stop[ coming back to it....

Great colony management game! I've put many hours into the iOS version. Look at it as a middle to Polytopia and Civilization!

Brilliant game, I came to it when The Settlers entered the dry run after the excellent Setters 7 was the last good game. Boy I'm so glad I did after Ubisoft Blue Byte took The Settlers series, bent it over and fucked it with New Allies. Northgard is excellent, tbh I just play single player custom maps and comp stomp but it never gets old Highly recommended!