Northgard is free to claim on the Epic Games Store for some tactical Norse greatness

The Epic Games Store has been giving away a suite of fantastic games lately. Streets of Rage 4, Potion Permit - I miss you, AlcheMutt -, and Little Nightmares: these are all incredibly good fun. But I think they have topped themselves this week, because they are taking us to Valhalla. Enjoy Nordic strategy greatness with Northgard. Again, for free.

I really enjoy these real-time strategy games. My first was The Settlers 4 when I was but a young lad on the PC, followed by Age of Empires 2. I went in a weird order. Northgard is more of that good stuff, but this time with Vikings. Although Settlers 4 did have Vikings, too. The best clan.

First released back in 2018, Northgard puts you in control of a clan of Vikings who have alighted on the shores of the eponymous island. Here, you will manage your clanmates to build homes, gather materials, and live a peaceful life in a new land. Right up until you find another Clan, and then it's all-out war.

Honor Thor with a Domination win, or Odin with the Wisdom

There are multiple ways you can win, and if you've played an RTS, then you already know them. You can just destroy every other force, raise your Fame through economy and land, trade your way to victory, or go the Odin route and get a Wisdom win. Some maps also have their own win conditions, including one where you claim Yggdrasil itself, which is so cool.

Each Clan has their own strengths and weaknesses; however, only two of them really matter. The Eikthyrnir can recruit Einherjar, Odin's chosen warriors, who are very strong and gain strength proportional to your Fame. And Fenrir, who can summon three White Wolves who can cloak and be sneaky. All other choices are wrong.

Northgard is also sporting a story mode, following Rig, son of the murdered High King, who is out for vengeance. But can he summon Wolves? Download Northgard for free from the Epic Games Store to find out.