Embark on a journey to a mysterious new continent in this strategy game steeped in Norse mythology. Players lead a clan of Vikings, tasked with exploring, settling, and conquering the untamed lands of Northgard. The core experience revolves around building a thriving settlement, managing resources, and ensuring your Vikings survive the harsh realities of the north, from brutal winters to dangerous creatures and rival clans.

The Setting and Premise

Following years of exploration, brave Viking seafarers have discovered Northgard, a land brimming with both peril and promise. As the leader of a clan, your objective is to establish dominance and forge a legacy. This involves venturing into unknown territories, uncovering strategic opportunities, and facing the challenges presented by the environment and its inhabitants, including dire wolves, undead warriors, and even giants.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay loop centers on strategic settlement management and expansion. Players must assign their Vikings to various roles, such as farmers to gather food, warriors to defend the settlement, sailors to explore waterways, and loremasters to unlock new knowledge. Resource management is critical, as players must balance food, wood, and lore to sustain their population and fuel their growth. Survival through the unforgiving winters is a constant concern, requiring careful planning and preparation.

What makes Northgard unique?

A key element is the variety of victory conditions available, allowing for diverse strategic approaches. Clans can achieve victory through military conquest, accumulating fame, advancing lore, or dominating trade. This encourages replayability and experimentation with different playstyles. The game also features a robust multiplayer component, allowing players to compete against friends or AI opponents with distinct personalities and difficulty levels, supported by dedicated servers.

Gameplay Features

Expansion and Exploration

Expanding your territory is vital for accessing new resources and strategic locations. Each new zone discovered on Northgard presents unique challenges and opportunities, requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Resource Management and Survival

Careful management of food, wood, and other resources is essential for the survival and prosperity of your clan. The harsh northern climate, particularly the severe winters, poses a significant threat that must be mitigated through strategic planning and resource allocation.

Clan Specialization

Players can assign their Vikings to specialized jobs, such as farming, fighting, sailing, or scholarly pursuits. This allows for the development of a clan's strengths and the adaptation to different strategic objectives.

Victory Conditions

The game offers multiple paths to victory, including:

Conquest: Eliminating all rival clans.
Fame: Achieving a certain level of renown through various actions.
Lore: Unlocking advanced knowledge and technologies.
Trading: Establishing a dominant economic presence.

Availability

This strategy game is available on PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Android, Mac, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It was first released on March 7, 2018.