There’s a subsection of strategy games that is almost tailor-made to generate intriguing narratives. Crusader Kings 3, Rimworld, and Dwarf Fortress are all brilliant games which that mix strategy mechanics with the ability to weave a story that’s entirely your own. Norland is the next title to take on this approach, and even in early access it’s already making waves on Steam. Its largest update yet has just landed, and it’s a game-changer – literally.
The biggest part of this huge update is the world map in Norland. It’s been completely overhauled, making it much more dynamic and considerably easier on the eye. New sprites, topology, and regional variations have been implemented giving the medieval game far more options for strategic play, especially when nation states are duking it out for supremacy.
In addition, the map of the early game has been changed, forcing players to face off against each other in a smaller arena before transitioning to the true world map. It promises to make the start of a Norland game quite rambunctious, with several players staring each other down as they work to determine who’ll control this early game region.
Alongside map changes, there’s now a family tree system which should help you keep track of all the lords, ladies, and useless distant relatives you’ve accumulated. Now you’ll know who’s who at a glance, instead of having to keep track of the interconnected web of medieval lineage yourself. There’s additionally a fresh set of NPCs who’ll arrive in your lands as guests, ranging from cultists to simple pilgrims.
Patch 26 is out now for Norland and you can also save 35% on the game until Wednesday December 4. Head over to Steam to check out the full patch notes, and to see if you’re ready to start your own medieval dynasty.
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