Expeditions: Viking

I'm really enjoying it - far more than the previous title. I agree with others that there are frustrating points, most notably the lack of ability to organise your character positions (combat might be nicer with a semi-simultaneous turn based nature rather than just having the entire team move and act in a turn). I turned down difficulty from the default insane level to medium and am still finding it challenging, mainly due to the limitations in combat. Now, I'm hoping that the devs patch this to improve it in some way, as it is my only gripe so far. Everything else is my cup of tea and I'd definitely recommend it. Story is great so far, atmosphere rich. I have had no problem with the writing or characters either. Were it not for other commitments, I could have seen my weekend disappearing into this.

I won't babble, so in short: I just stated playing (<10h), but what I love is - no fantasy - realistic historical background - compelling story - many desicions relevant to the story - tactical fights - base building concepts - nice music - doesn't feel forced to be great, but rather blooms by itself - good graphics (not "awsome") What I don't like: - camera not tiltable (but rotateable) - camera tild too vertical, can't see the characters good and enjoy the view (compared to Pillars o E) I had no bugs so far.

The story and tactical combat is extremely captivating. Several well-designed companions and NPCs make you want to play one more quest... and then one more... and then it's the middle of the night :). There are two downsides: 1) Resource management becomes meaningless around mid-game, because you'll always have an abundance of everything. 2) The loading times... each time you enter a big area, you can just as well go make yourself a sandwich... or three... and some coffee... and read some article on the Web. All in all, definitely worth playing! If only for the story.

TLDR: Best Viking themed game to date, very interesting, fitting "cast" and story in old Britain and Viking Denmark, great range of genuinely different approaches to the new isles (raid and pillage, conquer, trade, or political intrigue), still not completely bug free, but finally well playable. First off: I've never come to understand why recently, so many big gaming titles have been released in a state that cannot be described any better than beta, and it is beyond me why even Indie studios are following suit. Expeditions:Viking is a very, very strong turn-based exploration game, and [+] trumps, in my eyes, it's predecessor E:Conquistador in everything but the setting (graphics, characters, customization, less tediousness / grind, impact on the in-game world). When trying it before 1.04 though, it was a buggy mess. Now, after 1.04, it's finally in a version that can be released in good conscience, and alas, there lies a rough diamond beneath. I'm convinced that had the game been released now, it would hold a 5 stars on GOG and 9-10 / 10 on steam, but what can you do. Now it's fun, decently long (~ 40h), and far more beautiful than E:C. Here are some tips to overcome the balancing problems the game still has: - Damage dealers: BOW. Every weapon does ~ 130 dmg at some point, but bows shoot double, which is insane. Build your Char around a Perception max, Sense high, (both are pivotal for conversation options) bowman and you and Kentill will kill off the first 4 opponents in every battle without a Demoraliser. - Crafting is OP. After playing the first 3 h, you will gain some free hirdsman. Make one a pure smith (and later cook/healer) and learn repair. Salvage almost all weapons. You will never take him/her to battle, but you will make the best possible weapons right at the start instead of waiting and commissioning them. - Hides are rare. A top-notch armour costs 80 hides, a top-notch sword 36 salvage. If you break down armour, swords, shields, whatnot you always, always gain salvage only. Hides are also more expensive than salvage. Sounds stupid? It is. Buy hides, collect the immensely important armour oil for + 1 mobility, train one hirdsman to FULL armousmith, save, and then build a perfect oiled armour directly, nothing below.