Northgard

 Switch
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
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  1. SSCheetah
    Oct 25, 2019
    6
    Fun to play and relaxed pace. Kind of a mix of Age of Empires and Clash of Clans! Controls are handled excellently for a console RTS too—game is so easy to play with a controller. I love what they've done with this side of it.

    Unfortunately performance on the Switch is disappointing. Low frame rate when moving camera, stutters, and there are no shadows, not even blob shadows! This is    Fun to play and relaxed pace. Kind of a mix of Age of Empires and Clash of Clans! Controls are handled excellently for a console RTS too—game is so easy to play with a controller. I love what they've done with this side of it.

    Unfortunately performance on the Switch is disappointing. Low frame rate when moving camera, stutters, and there are no shadows, not even blob shadows! This is pretty sad in my opinion as the game has very simplistic graphics and I believe the Switch could easily handle it if it were optimised well.

    Developers Shiro Games were were reasonably quick to patch some of the crash issues but they are yet to do anything to improve optimisation, and a few crashes still exist. (I've experienced crashes on both loading and saving games since the patch.) They seem eager to gather feedback from players and improve the game.

    On the flipside, I was really disappointed in how Shiro have been constantly advertising the new Northgard Conquest content update... but never mentioned anywhere that this update actually would not be available on console versions. It makes me sad that they were not open in their advertising about Conquest would be available, and show so little consideration for players who have been made to feel left out. (Yesterday they tweeted, "So who's enjoying Conquest so far?" Well, obviously not console gamers...) And unlike the performance issues, they don't seem very responsive to questions / comments about this issue on social media. It seems possible that the console versions will never have the same content as on PC.

    Overall it's a fun game, but it's cheaper and has more content now in the PC version, and as I've mentioned the graphics are terrible on Switch. You may wish to go for the PC version instead, although I'm opting to keep mine as I prefer to game on Switch and I'm hoping that in future the game will be improved with the same content as on PC.    … Expand
  2. guioiticica
    Apr 1, 2022
    0
    this game is not good. I don't like the soundtrack, the design is awful. bad characters too
  3. OlilovesMovies
    Sep 29, 2019
    8
    It overcomes the system limitations in the way the game handles its mechanics, which helps avoid the game feeling overly clunky. The inclusion of a story mode to teach you the core systems of the game is an appreciated touch. I have a while to go before I could definitively say whether people should buy it or not, but the concept and what I have played so far point in the right direction.It overcomes the system limitations in the way the game handles its mechanics, which helps avoid the game feeling overly clunky. The inclusion of a story mode to teach you the core systems of the game is an appreciated touch. I have a while to go before I could definitively say whether people should buy it or not, but the concept and what I have played so far point in the right direction. Should this opinion change I will return to update the review.

    My one criticism would be the text being too small when in docked mode, an option to increase this would be really appreciated!    … Expand
  4. Sl1ck5hot
    Jan 28, 2020
    8
    This is a solid game for the Nintendo Switch. I've played the story which seems full and whole and not just a cheap cop out like campaigns on other RTS games which disguise a skirmish as a story mission by blocking off certain units or having special events happen.

    I've also played a few skirmishes (admittedly on a lower difficulty) and they've taken me from start to finish around 1-2    This is a solid game for the Nintendo Switch. I've played the story which seems full and whole and not just a cheap cop out like campaigns on other RTS games which disguise a skirmish as a story mission by blocking off certain units or having special events happen.

    I've also played a few skirmishes (admittedly on a lower difficulty) and they've taken me from start to finish around 1-2 hours. I think that's a good amount of time for a single session but also short enough to drop in and out and not forget where you are. I only experienced graphical issues towards the end of games where the map was full and there was a lot going on. Aside from that I have no complaints and I am happy with the £10 I spent in the sale on this game.

    If you like Civ games but want a shorter game with a more RTS style then this is the game for you.    … Expand
  5. ryank92
    Jan 24, 2021
    8
    Great game. Plays super well and surprisingly easy on Switch! Graphics look decent and I’m quite happy with them -obviously not as good as PC. Had probably around 20 hours worth of gameplay if I’m not mistaken and the campaign was good. Controls are really good on switch! Cons - online multiplayer literally has no switch players and you’ll be waiting ages to play a game. Maybe they shouldGreat game. Plays super well and surprisingly easy on Switch! Graphics look decent and I’m quite happy with them -obviously not as good as PC. Had probably around 20 hours worth of gameplay if I’m not mistaken and the campaign was good. Controls are really good on switch! Cons - online multiplayer literally has no switch players and you’ll be waiting ages to play a game. Maybe they should let us cross play with PC players? Really disappointed with the lack of players online. Other than that buy this game on sale I got it for £12.50! Highly recommend!… Expand
  6. mikemaniac
    Aug 26, 2022
    10
    really enjoyed it. gameplay worked surprisingly well on handheld. played for a few weeks until I beat it, and probably would have kept playing if I could have gotten my buddy in to it for multiplayer. definitely recommend checking it out if it looks interesting to you!
  7. NepodarOK
    Mar 30, 2023
    3
    A nice game that deserves a good rating. But there are significant drawbacks - the balance. When playing with more than 2 players, balance is completely absent if you play against bots - they attack the player at the same time regardless of who is in the lead and will soon win. The DLC adds 3.5 new units, and costs like a new game, adding even more imbalance. When playing more than 1 on 1A nice game that deserves a good rating. But there are significant drawbacks - the balance. When playing with more than 2 players, balance is completely absent if you play against bots - they attack the player at the same time regardless of who is in the lead and will soon win. The DLC adds 3.5 new units, and costs like a new game, adding even more imbalance. When playing more than 1 on 1 - it slows down fiercely, control is lost due to hanging for a few seconds after a few seconds.… Expand
  8. 1000fps
    May 20, 2022
    7
    Great game! Unique RTS game. Very addictive. But why aren’t they releasing all download content that’s available on PC and IOS for the switch version?

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Nintenderos
    Dec 24, 2019
    60
    Northgard is perfect for those looking for a quick real-time strategy experience and also for those who want to try this type of games for the first time, although its bad design of the HUD is a negative point. Beyond that, Northgard would need a little more depth, variety and game options for the most veteran players.
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  2. FNintendo
    Dec 17, 2019
    80
    Northgard on the Nintendo Switch may be an indie game but that doesn't mean it's not an ambitious work. On the contrary, this immense real-time strategy game offers an almost endless value with its colossal exploration and empire-building mechanics and with an exquisite presentation and a perfectly crafted handheld experience, Northgard is essential for everyone who likes a good, enveloping RTS and anyone beyond that circle as well.
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  3. The Digital Fix
    Oct 30, 2019
    70
    Northgard certainly is not a bad game by any means, though I felt myself wanting it to be more of a game. Whether simplified for console release or not, I found myself craving more depth throughout my time in this Norse world.
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