Info about Northgard: Definitive Edition: Official game description: Northgard Definitive Edtion: December 4th! ========================================== FREE MAJOR UPDATES SINCE LAUNCH ⬇ ================================= 9\. Bifröst - 2024 ------------------ New game mode. Rally your friends, gear up, and join the race across realms to stop the Vanir’s assault! This mode welcomes up to 4 players, each with customizable skills, buildings, and perks. 8\. Trials of Odin - 2023 ------------------------- In what is surely one of the most biggest and most impactful free updates we've released to date, you'll be greeted with new conquests, new warchiefs, massive clan overhauls/reworks, tons of balancing and more... 7\. Sword & Solace - 2022 ------------------------- Sword & Solace brings significant improvements to the game's UI, aiming to unify options and information across different game modes. It also introduces a revamped Multiplayer GP system, enhanced Military aspects with more strategic choices and unique unit abilities. 6\. Kröwns & Daggers - 2021 --------------------------- The Kröwns and Daggers update brings a host of new features, gameplay additions and even a new neutral faction to Northgard, with an increased focus on diplomacy, and a complete overhaul of how you develop and maintain relations with your fellow factions! 5\. Expeditions - 2021 ---------------------- This patch introduces a new way to enjoy Northgard content and free cosmetics you can craft with in-game rewards! (And only ever via in game rewards, you will never have to pay money for these cosmetics). 4\. Map Editor - 2020 --------------------- The Map Editor update stands as one of our biggest updates yet and whole new level of customization to Northgard, allowing you to create and modify battlefields almost limitlessly, populating your maps with buildings, resources, decorations and AI factions of your choosing alongside full control over the visual design and layout of the map. 3\. Conquest - 2019 ------------------- Northgard Conquest is a standalone game-mode that can be played solo or co-op, with a succession of various challenges offering a gaming expansion of +100 hours. The difficulty of the co-op mode will be based on strong collaboration between players. Forget the lore, choose your clan and let's fight! 2\. Relics - 2019 ----------------- For some of them it happened as dream, for others as vision. For all it was a gift. And since that day, guided by the Gods, the sledgehammers resonate day and night through Northgard… The creation of Relics has been rediscovered! 1\. Ragnarok - 2018 ------------------- The map you’ll be playing on when choosing Ragnarok is completely devastated. Your path towards your opponents may be guarded by dangerous creatures! The center of the map is occupied by a new special tile: the Volcano. We also added a new music for this map! About the Game ============== After years of tireless exploration, brave Vikings have discovered a new land filled with mystery, danger and riches: Northgard. The boldest Northmen have set sail to explore and conquer these new shores, bring fame to their Clan and write history through conquest, trading, or devotion to the Gods. Build your settlement on the newly discovered continent of Northgard! Assign your Vikings to various jobs and manage your resources carefully to survive harsh winters and ferocious foes. Expand your clan strategically by chasing conquest, fame, lore or trade victory. Survive and conquer the unforgiving wilderness of Northgard by mastering the unique attributes of the many different clans that inhabit the continent! Each clan has its own unique specificities, bonuses and features, introducing new ways of playing and methods to achieve victory. **Conquest mode.** Choose your clan and fight through a number of unique scenarios and situations! Northgard Conquest is a standalone game mode that can be played solo or co-op, with a succession of various challenges offering a gaming expansion of +100 hours. **Multiplayer mode.** Play in multiplayer with or against your friends in various game modes! Pick the lobby you want and face off against other players to experience a unique level of challenges. If you’re a veteran at the game, test your might in ranked lobbies to prove you’re the real king of Northgard! **Story mode.** The Viking High King is murdered and his Regal Horn is stolen by a man named Hagen. This event kickstarts a saga that will take Rig, his son and heir accompanied by his right-hand man Brand through the new continent of Northgard to discover the reasons behind his father’s assassination. **Part II. Cross of Vidar** Separated and left with no choice after Ragnarök but to abandon their land, Rig, Liv and Svarn arrive in Neustria, land of the Southern Kingdoms, where they meet new leaders and become embroiled in a series of conflicts and alliances. Release date: Mar 7, 2018 Categories: Strategy, Resource Management, City Builder, Multiplayer, Single-player, Turn-based Strategy, Survival, Cooperative Multiplayer Feature scans: - MTX: score 85; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The analysis of user reviews for the game reveals several key themes related to its monetization and perceived greed. Many players express frustration with the game's extensive use of DLCs, which are seen as essential for a complete experience but are sold separately. This practice is often referred to as 'Day-1 DLC,' where significant portions of the game are locked behind paywalls. Additionally, the game's monetization strategy is likened to paid gacha or lootboxes, where players feel compelled to spend money to access content that should be part of the base game. The developers are also accused of creating problems and then selling solutions through continuous updates and DLCs, which can be frustrating. The complex system of DLCs is seen as a form of currency obfuscation, making it difficult for players to navigate and understand the true cost of the game. Lastly, the strategy of continuously adding new content through DLCs creates a fear of missing out (FOMO) among players, pressuring them into making additional purchases. - Wiki: score 10; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The game suffers from frequent crashes, bugs, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes and during specific actions. Additionally, the presence of hidden mechanics and lack of clear information forces players to rely on external resources, which can be inconvenient. These issues significantly disrupt the user experience and need to be addressed to improve overall satisfaction. - Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback for the Steam Deck experience reveals several significant issues. Frequent crashes and online/multiplayer problems are the most severe, greatly impacting the user experience. Small text and UI issues, as well as control and navigation problems, also pose notable challenges. Gameplay and balance issues further detract from the overall experience. These technical barriers need to be addressed to improve the gaming experience on the Steam Deck. - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: No data - Playtime Metrics: No data - Time-to-fun: No data - Player Archetypes: No data Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Diverse and unique clans (weight 0.76): The game offers a wide variety of clans, each with unique abilities, playstyles, and characteristics. This diversity adds significant replay value and strategic depth, as players can experiment with different clans to find their favorites and adapt their strategies accordingly. - Engaging and fun gameplay (weight 0.21): Players consistently describe the game as fun and entertaining. The gameplay mechanics are enjoyable, and the game offers a good balance of challenge and engagement, making it a pleasant experience for both solo and multiplayer modes. - Unique and innovative mechanics (weight 0.12): The game stands out in the RTS genre due to its unique mechanics, which blend elements of city-building, survival, and Norse mythology. These innovative features provide a fresh and engaging experience for players. - Balanced and challenging gameplay (weight 0.1): The game offers a well-balanced learning curve and challenging mechanics, including resource management and environmental challenges. The difficulty scales well, providing a satisfying and engaging experience for players. - Positive player experiences (weight 0.09): Many players have enjoyed the game for extended periods, appreciating its mechanics, beauty, and simplicity. The game has been a favorite for many, offering a cozy and relaxing pastime. - Addictive gameplay loop (weight 0.07): The game features an addictive gameplay loop that combines city-building and territory control. The economic strategy mechanics are well-balanced and enjoyable, contributing to the overall engaging experience. - Enjoyable conquest mode (weight 0.06): The conquest mode is highlighted as a fun and engaging aspect of the game, offering unique objectives and challenges. Players enjoy the variety and replayability provided by this mode. - Polished and intuitive interface (weight 0.05): The game is praised for its polished interface, intuitive tutorial, and low system requirements. These features make the game accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players. - Active developer support (weight 0.05): The developers are noted for their active support, frequent updates, and responsiveness to player feedback. This ongoing support helps maintain the game's quality and balance. - Enjoyable single-player experience (weight 0.04): The game offers a satisfying and attractive single-player experience with lots of content. Players enjoy the solo mode and find it mechanically and visually decent. - Regular content updates (weight 0.04): The game has received regular updates and improvements over the years, adding new content and enhancing the overall experience. This commitment to updates keeps the game fresh and engaging. - Variety of game modes (weight 0.03): The game offers a variety of game modes and content, including different factions and paths to victory. This variety adds to the game's replayability and enjoyment. - Cool and engaging setting (weight 0.03): The game's setting, rooted in Viking and Norse mythology, is carefully crafted and engaging. Players appreciate the thematic elements and the atmospheric world. - Engaging Norse mythology theme (weight 0.03): The game's integration of Viking and Norse mythology is intelligent and engaging. The thematic elements contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment. - Customizable gameplay options (weight 0.03): The game offers customization options for both single-player and multiplayer games, including a custom map builder. These features allow players to tailor their experience to their preferences. Common complaints: - Frequent crashes and freezes (weight 0.97): The game experiences constant crashes and freezes, particularly after updates and in various modes such as conquest and multiplayer. This issue is widespread and severely impacts the gameplay experience. - AI behavior issues (weight 0.2): The AI in the game is often criticized for being overly aggressive, cheating, and having inconsistent behavior. This makes the game either too easy or impossibly hard, affecting the overall enjoyment. - DLC and clan imbalances (weight 0.16): The game has numerous DLCs that introduce new clans, but these clans are often unbalanced, overpowered, or underpowered. This creates a pay-to-win scenario and frustrates players. - Gameplay mechanics and pacing (weight 0.11): The gameplay mechanics are often criticized for being too simplistic or punitive. The pacing can feel slow, and the combat lacks depth, leading to a less enjoyable experience. - Bifrost mode problems (weight 0.05): The Bifrost mode is particularly buggy and unplayable, with issues ranging from game-breaking bugs to lag and difficulty in completing the mode. - Definitive Edition issues (weight 0.05): The Definitive Edition update introduced numerous bugs and stability issues, making the game unplayable for many users. - Technical glitches and bugs (weight 0.05): The game suffers from various technical glitches, including incorrect creature spawning, bugged mobs, and uninformative tooltips, which detract from the overall experience. - Clan viability and balancing (weight 0.05): Certain clans in the game are either broken or underpowered, leading to frustration among players who feel that some clans are not viable in ranked or PvP modes. - Frustrating gameplay aspects (weight 0.04): Players find various aspects of the gameplay frustrating, including imprecise controls, unbalanced multiplayer experiences, and overall frustrating mechanics. - Limited offline content and server locations (weight 0.03): The game has limited offline content and server locations, which can be a drawback for players in regions without dedicated servers. - Unit pathing and selection issues (weight 0.03): Units in the game often get stuck on impassable terrain or have broken pathing, making it difficult to manage resources and units effectively. Gameplay feedback: - Strategic Gameplay Elements (weight 0.29): The game combines real-time strategy with elements of city building and resource management. Players must balance military and economic aspects while facing challenges like harsh winters and enemy attacks. - Multiplayer and Cooperative Modes (weight 0.28): The game offers various multiplayer modes, including cooperative and PvP options. However, there are issues with multiplayer connectivity and matchmaking systems. - Diverse Clan Mechanics (weight 0.26): The game features various clans, each with unique characteristics and playstyles. This diversity allows players to choose different strategies and approaches to gameplay. - Complex Resource Management (weight 0.26): Players must manage multiple resources such as food, wood, gold, stone, and iron. The economy is dynamic and requires careful planning to sustain the colony against various threats. - Building and Settlement Mechanics (weight 0.24): Building placement and settlement growth are restricted, requiring strategic planning. Players must expand their villages while managing limited military variety and building restrictions. - Victory Conditions and Progression (weight 0.23): There are multiple paths to victory, including conquest, trade, and science/lore. The game also features a progression system with various victory conditions and modifiers. - AI and Difficulty Balancing (weight 0.21): The AI behavior and difficulty vary, with some players finding the AI challenging while others note issues with balancing. The AI can sometimes exploit the game mechanics, leading to artificial difficulty. - Graphical and UI Issues (weight 0.2): Some players have reported graphical and UI glitches, which can affect the overall gaming experience. These issues are noted as areas needing improvement. - Regular Updates and Content (weight 0.01): The game receives regular updates and new content, which helps keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. This is appreciated by the player community. - Learning Curve (weight 0.01): The game is described as easy to learn but hard to master, offering a challenging experience for players. This makes it accessible to newcomers while providing depth for experienced players. Performance notes: - Game crashes and freezing issues (weight 0.33): The game frequently crashes and freezes, particularly during missions, after updates, and at victory screens. Players report crashes in various modes, including solo, multiplayer, and story missions. - Multiplayer and co-op issues (weight 0.11): Multiplayer and co-op modes suffer from constant crashes and connectivity problems. Players in certain regions, like South America, face high latency issues. - Memory and technical issues (weight 0.09): The game has memory leaks and executes invalid memory operations, leading to crashes and freezes. Technical reports indicate problems with memory management. - Update-related bugs and glitches (weight 0.05): Updates often introduce new bugs and glitches, making the game unplayable or causing graphical and UI issues. Large updates, in particular, tend to make the game buggy. - Sound and graphical glitches (weight 0.05): Players report occasional graphical and UI glitches, as well as sound issues such as losing sound after a period of gameplay. Recommendations: - Wait for bug fixes (weight 0.09): Many players advise waiting for patches and bug fixes before purchasing the game. They mention that the game in its current state has issues that need to be addressed. - Watch strategy videos first (weight 0.02): Players suggest watching strategy videos before deciding to buy the game. This indicates that the game might have a steep learning curve or specific strategies that are beneficial to understand beforehand. - Consider Northgard for RTS fans (weight 0.02): Some players recommend buying Northgard for a better RTS experience. However, others highly suggest the game for RTS fans, indicating mixed opinions on the best RTS game to purchase. - Definitive Edition worth it (weight 0.02): The Definitive Edition is considered worth the price, especially when on sale. Players suggest picking up this edition for an enhanced gaming experience. - Not for casual PvE players (weight 0.02): The game is not recommended for casual PvE players or those who prefer single-player modes. This suggests the game might be more suited for competitive or multiplayer experiences. - Strong purchase recommendation (weight 0.01): There is a strong recommendation to purchase the game, suggesting that despite some issues, the game is enjoyable and worth buying. - Practice required (weight 0.01): Players mention that the game requires significant practice to enjoy fully. This indicates a steep learning curve and the need for dedication to master the game. - Invest in older DLCs (weight 0.01): Players recommend investing in some of the older DLCs when they are on sale. This indicates that the DLCs add significant value to the game. - Viking-themed game recommendation (weight 0.01): The game is recommended for those who enjoy Viking-themed games. This highlights a specific appeal to fans of this particular theme. - Clan recommendations for playstyles (weight 0.01): The game offers recommendations for specific clans based on different playstyles, suggesting a variety of ways to enjoy the game depending on player preferences. - Detailed guide for new players (weight 0.01): There is a detailed guide available for new players, which can help them get started and understand the game mechanics better. Other player notes: - Music playlist sharing (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the feature that allows sharing a music playlist to enhance the gameplay experience. Emotions: - Frustration (weight 0.55): Players are primarily frustrated by frequent game crashes, freezing issues, and bugs, especially after updates. Performance problems, such as high latency, long loading times, and lack of optimization, further exacerbate this frustration. Additionally, gameplay mechanics like forced disasters, artificial difficulty, and unbalanced AI contribute to the negative experience. - Disappointment (weight 0.23): Players feel disappointed due to the game not meeting their expectations based on tags and genre. Frequent crashes, balance issues, and AI cheating are significant contributors. The decline in multiplayer experience, lack of tutorials, and the game's focus on rushing and hidden timers also lead to disappointment. - Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Players enjoy the game for its engaging setting, deep strategic gameplay, and unique clan abilities. The cooperative RTS elements, high replay value, and cultural depth based on Nordic mythology are also highlighted as positive aspects. Playing with friends and the variety of game modes contribute to the overall enjoyment. - Anger (weight 0.07): Players are angered by game-breaking bugs, constant crashes, and the lack of developer support to fix these issues. The forced download of DLCs, poor interface design, and the game's performance issues, particularly after updates, further fuel this anger. The pricing strategy and the inability to play the campaign due to bugs also contribute to the frustration. - Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Players are satisfied with the game's atmosphere, learning curve, and enjoyable campaign. The variety of clans and their unique characteristics, as well as the resolution of crash issues through hotfixes, contribute to a positive experience. - Boredom (weight 0.02): Players experience boredom due to the slow pacing, lack of new units, and repetitive gameplay. Long waiting times for resources and limited resource growth also contribute to this feeling. - Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the developers' efforts to quickly fix bugs and balance clans. The game's unique mechanics, complexity, gorgeous visuals, and immersive experience are also highly valued. - Joy (weight 0.01): Players find joy in the game due to its engaging and fun gameplay. Discovering new clans and the overall enjoyable experience contribute to this positive emotion. - Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgic as the game reminds them of classic titles like Warcraft 2 and C&C. The enjoyable experience from the original release also evokes this sentiment. - Excitement (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the blend of real-time strategy and Norse mythology, which offers a unique and engaging experience. - Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the game's ability to provide a thrilling and engaging experience.}