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The real-time chess of the different character classes in Bad North is truly incredible. I love how height makes a real advantage (or disadvantage if too close!) for archers' physics-driven arrows, all the details (despite being a minimalist game) like arrows getting stuck in targets' shields, your choices in what weapon specialties you can assign, the fluid and organic character movement and fighting, etc.

You also really come to care about your soldiers' survival since the death of squad leaders is (typically) permanent, so loss is extremely emotional, especially given how they're customizable with different items. And—like the world's greatest jigsaw puzzler, Glass Masquerade—almost any screenshot from the game could be made into a wallpaper, so that's awesome.

For those who have never played this game, it was just on sale at GreenManGaming for <$3 (IsThereAnyDeal rocks!). It was also given away via Epic Games some years ago, which is how I've been revisiting it.

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[-] victorz@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

I played some Jotun, it was alright.

[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev -1 points 2 days ago

Did you beat it, though? The challenge gets awesomely intense on Hard!

[-] victorz@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I thought it was a little monotonous and stopped playing, but I could give it a go again. 😊

I think it didn't have great reviews either, and I kind of agree(d) with them, so I lost interest.

[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev 0 points 2 days ago

The reason I said that is because I found it becomes increasingly engaging and tricky the deeper you survive, breaking up similarity. Did you try different difficulty levels? Some games' enjoyment can significantly depend on a personally fitting difficulty level, whether hard or easy.

I'm not sure of what the reviews were like back then, but they're insanely high on Steam, more than even what I had expected.

[-] victorz@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Did you try different difficulty levels?

Not that I recall. Just normal I suppose. That's what I usually play games at.

[the reviews are] insanely high on Steam

Not sure we're talking about the same game?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/323580/Jotun_Valhalla_Edition/

[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev 1 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

We sure aren't. This post is about Bad North: Jotun Edition! I own that game you mentioned (got it through a giveaway) but never touched it and never will; I don't play games <80% in Steam review score.

I'm guessing you're downvoting me or something...

[-] victorz@lemmy.world 1 points 7 hours ago

I checked the reviews of Bad North on Steam as well and yeah, that is very high! Added it to my wish list and let's see if it's ever on sale. 😁

[-] victorz@lemmy.world 1 points 7 hours ago

I have no reason to down vote you. We were just having a conversation. Not sure why others are. 🤔

Anyway, I mentioned Jotun because they seemed like similar games. 😁

[-] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

I kinda hate myself for buying it on epic since it was on sale there. Love the game but epic games is just such a bad service and launcher

[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev 1 points 2 days ago

Use Heroic Games Launcher to download and play Epic Games without using their launcher! That's what I do!

[-] victorz@lemmy.world -1 points 2 days ago

bad service and launcher

I agree with you about the launcher, but what about the service is so bad? (I never buy anything there, I just claim free shit.)

[-] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I mean it's mostly just the app/launcher being bad. I never really used them either since I obly really bought bad north on there and a bunch of the free stuff.

[-] khannie@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Looks fun. The sale on green man gaming is over unfortunately.

I've wish listed it on steam for when it goes on sale. Currently only 4 euro on the play store though. Was wondering if it would work well with my Kishi (controller) and phone.

[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev 8 points 3 days ago

phone

It's on Android and iOS!

[-] khannie@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Thanks. I did spot that. :) I was more wondering if it'll be a decent experience with the controller on phone / what the mechanics are like on mobile.

Like I have limbo on both phone (with controller) and steam and the mobile version is just as good but it's not the case for all games.

[-] jacksilver@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

I've played it on mobile and it plays really well. I used touch controls, so not sure if controllers are supported, but honestly I think touch is better for a game like this.

[-] khannie@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Legend. Thanks.

[-] Flagstaff@programming.dev 2 points 3 days ago

I never tried it on mobile. I think the Play Store has a 2-hour refund window akin to Steam, so you could try the tutorial.

[-] khannie@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

That's a good idea. Thanks.

[-] Berttheduck@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago

I really enjoyed my time with it. Played it all on my phone. The touch controls work surprisingly well.

[-] moonlight@fedia.io 3 points 3 days ago

I love this game. It's simple in an elegant way, but the gameplay has quite a bit of depth. (A lot of emergent strategy)

this post was submitted on 11 Aug 2025
84 points (96.7% liked)

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