Northgard

The Vikings have been known throughout history as warriors tied to a rich mythology. Northgard beautifully taps into the tales of these mythic people when challenging players to build and sustain their clan strength. On the one hand, players deal with the real-world issues the Vikings face, like making sure to have a bountiful harvest in the summer to carry your village through the harsh winter to come. This part of the game plays like a classic town/city builder, as you delegate responsibilities to your people, order the building of key structures, and provide a safe haven for your clan to thrive. This part also requires a lot of micromanagement, as players try to keep aware of the villagers' wants and needs to keep their community thriving while still exploring and expanding to the lands beyond.

Once the real-time strategy part of the game kicks in, that's when the fun of the Norse mythology comes into play. Exploring the different areas of Northgard means running into creatures of legends. Rather than killing everything, though, it's possible to sway some to your side. And there's little more impressive than charging into battle with a literal giant as backup. If you earn the favor of the gods, you can carve a swath of destruction through any that oppose you. Of course, yours isn't the only clan on the island. Multiplayer matches can be frantic races to build up in preparation for an inevitable attack, but be careful not to neglect the needs of your people or you won't have much of a village to defend. It's a constant juggling act to keep your people appeased, your village fortified against the elements, and your forces ready to attack and defend at a moment's notice. Northgard can be brutal at times, but then again, so was the Viking way of life.