Bad North

Bad North is a minimalist real-time tactics roguelite game developed by Plausible Concept and published by Raw Fury. The game is characterized by its charming visual style, brutal difficulty, and focus on strategic unit placement.

Players take on the role of a monarch fleeing a Viking invasion, tasked with defending a series of procedurally generated islands. Each island presents a unique layout and set of defensive challenges, requiring players to carefully position their units – infantry, archers, and pikemen – to repel waves of attackers.

Unlike traditional real-time strategy games, Bad North emphasizes simplicity and tactical decision-making over micromanagement. Units are controlled in groups and must be strategically placed to maximize their effectiveness. Factors like terrain, unit type matchups, and enemy composition all play a crucial role in determining the outcome of each battle.

The roguelite elements of Bad North stem from the limited resources and permanent consequences of player actions. Units can be permanently lost in battle, and the health of commanders persists between islands. Upgrades and new units are acquired progressively, but poor planning can lead to a rapid decline in available resources, forcing players to make tough choices and potentially abandon islands.

The game's difficulty is a defining feature. While the initial islands may seem manageable, the Viking hordes quickly become more numerous and diverse, demanding careful planning and adaptation. Failed defenses result in lost resources and potentially the loss of crucial units, making each island a high-stakes encounter.

Bad North is available on various platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices.