Northgard review

Northgard is the pick for players who want an RTS that plays more like a settlement builder. Shiro Games puts you in charge of a Viking clan on a newly found continent, where you assign villagers to jobs, store food for harsh winters and expand territory by territory. You can win by conquest, fame, lore or trade, and each clan has its own bonuses. Beyond multiplayer and ranked lobbies, there is a Story mode and a Conquest mode of scenarios that can be played solo or co-op. The Definitive Edition costs $34.99 on Steam, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and needs only 1 GB of RAM and 1 GB of storage. Of 23,300 English Steam reviews, 84% are positive. Steam lists 12 DLC, and the slower, smaller-scale fights will not satisfy players looking for big army battles.

Who it is for

Players who want a slower RTS that mixes city building with conquest

Price

$34.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store).

continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne! $34.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Win by conquest, fame, lore or trade
• Clans with their own bonuses and features
• Conquest mode with solo or co-op scenarios
• Story mode campaign
• Ranked multiplayer lobbies

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
• Strength: Minimum spec is just 1 GB of RAM and 1 GB of storage
• Strength: Four victory types reward economy and exploration, not only combat
• Weakness: Steam lists 12 DLC, so some clans cost extra
• Weakness: 84% of 23,300 English Steam reviews are positive, lower than the top five
• Weakness: Smaller armies than classic RTS games, which may not suit fans of large battles

Key facts

• Developer and publisher: Shiro Games
• Released on Steam: March 7, 2018
• Minimum RAM: 1 GB
• Storage: 1 GB
• English Steam reviews: 84% positive of 23,300

Where it ranks

Northgard is No. 6 in our Best RTS Games verdict.