Northgard
A Viking clan RTS with dynamic seasons and multiple victory conditions.
Northgard is a real-time strategy game developed and published by Shiro Games, released in 2018 for multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and macOS. Inspired by Nordic mythology, the game tasks a Viking clan with taking control of a wild continent. It received generally positive reviews upon release and its continued success inspired a 4X board game adaptation titled Northgard: Uncharted Lands in 2022.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Northgard
- Developer
- Shiro Games
- Publisher
- Shiro GamesMobile versions published by Playdigious
- Genre
- Real-time strategy
- Platforms
- Windows · Linux · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Android · iOS · MacOS
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Northgard is set in a world inspired by Nordic mythology, where a Viking clan seeks to take control over a wild continent. The game includes a story-based campaign in which the player assumes the role of Rig, a prince who seeks to avenge the death of his father the High King at the hands of Hagen, the ruthless leader of the Clan of the Raven. The young prince sails to the island of Northgard to fulfill his mission, encountering other clans and creatures along the way.
Each map is divided into regions, each containing special resources such as iron, stone, fish, and grain, but each region can only support a fixed number of buildings. The game features dynamic seasons: farms stop producing food during winter, while wood consumption increases significantly during the same period. At launch, the game offered eleven missions and six playable clans, with an additional twelve clans available as downloadable content.
There are four victory conditions for standard play, allowing players to combat other clans controlled either by artificial intelligence or other human players. The game was first announced in August 2016, entered Steam early access on February 22, 2017, and was fully released for Windows on March 7, 2018, with a Linux version the following day. Console releases followed in 2019, and mobile versions in 2021. Shiro Games supported the game with downloadable content packs, including one based on Ragnarok released in October 2018.
Reader's Guide
Northgard was generally well received by critics, as reflected on review aggregator Metacritic. Fraser Brown of PC Gamer compared the game favorably to the Age of Empires series and The Settlers series, praising its unique gameplay systems but finding the story uncompelling, concluding that 'Northgard is a surprising, elegant RTS that's laden with a very dull story.' Max Cox of Rock, Paper, Shotgun described the game as 'easy to pick up but difficult to master' and considered it one of the best real-time strategy games he had played. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Northgard for 'Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year' at the 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards. The game's continued success led to the creation of a 4X board game adaptation, Northgard: Uncharted Lands, released in 2022.
Did You Know?
- Northgard was first announced by Shiro Games in August 2016.
- A downloadable content pack based on Ragnarok was released in October 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Northgard?
Northgard is a Viking-themed real-time strategy game created by Shiro Games and launched on March 7, 2018. Players guide a clan to conquer a wild continent while battling through dynamic seasonal cycles. It is available on PC, major consoles, and mobile platforms.
What clans can you play as in Northgard?
The game offers several distinct Viking clans, each with a unique set of abilities that shape how they gather resources, fight, and expand territory. Choosing a clan essentially defines your strategic identity for the entire campaign.
How does the victory system work in Northgard?
Rather than a single "destroy the enemy" objective, Northgard provides multiple victory conditions that vary by scenario and clan. This lets players pursue diplomatic, economic, or military paths to success within the same map.
What role do seasons play in Northgard gameplay?
A rotating seasonal cycle directly affects which resources are available and how the terrain behaves, so a strategy that thrives in summer may collapse in winter. This forces players to plan production and expansion around the calendar rather than solely around enemy pressure.
Is there a Northgard board game?
Yes, Northgard: Uncharted Lands arrived in 2022 as a 4X tabletop adaptation inspired by the video game's success. It carries the Viking-clan strategy concept into a physical, player-versus-player format.
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