Bad North player here. Bought the game. I must say the game is rough but so is this review. It's strategy made simple, but strategy nonetheless. If I lose a game and all my commanders die I look to my past actions. If I had mistakes on the battlefield, such as waiting for the raiders' ship on the tile it is going land (as shown in this footage) so it startles my units and disorientates them with heavy knockback, then it is clear why I ended up losing it all. If I didn't make any mistakes when fighting but ended up overwhelmed anyway it may be because I haven't been managing my commanders well. You cannot go sharing the gold earnings equally to your commanders; they will all be mediocre and won't stand up to the stronger tougher enemies you encounter later on. And if you're struggling to "level up" your third and fourth commanders then I recommend you practice and analyse what is going wrong, as the early game of Bad North (and most games, really) is quite simple and way easier than the mid and late game. This is the simplest (in terms of game elements) real time strategy game I've seen, and you can even slow time when deciding what to do with your commanders, making it easy to grab for turn based strategy gamers. It's also very similar to a quite recent game, Slay the Spire, as you have to advance through the archipelago, choosing the path you see fit for your needs, achieving rewards (items and commanders) and building your team as time goes on and the villages are saved.
Did you ever reach last stand? Or was this old version just in infinite mode? I was talking to an early player to the game who has said that last stand has always existed and I'm inclined to believe them, and to simply believe that this reviewer is just bad at the game. I personally have played pre jotunn but not very much as the update came out soon after I got the game.
@@xomvoid_akaluchiru_987 I'm busy now and I can't remember well this video, but rereading my comment I think I wrote it because I disagreed with it, but it's probable that I agree with you xd. About the last stand, yup, I've beaten it.
"Brutally hard" is another term for getting your money's worth. Figuring the game out is the game. If you beat it first try you would forget about it within a week.
I happen to disagree. For me a game is like a book. If I have to fight to open it, I might get interested for 20 minutes, but then I'll give up thinking I have better to do in my free time than battle a book in order to enjoy the content a bit.
I want to say something about the aesthetic aspects of the game, because no-one here seems to be discussing it. First of all, Bad North has an unconventional approach to displaying unit HP. Units don’t have their health displayed as a number or health bar; in fact, most soldiers are so fragile that a single hit they fail to block kills them instantly. However, a fight typically involves dozens of soldiers, so the notion of HP is more macroscopic; you could say that a squad with 9 soldiers has 9 HP, but that HP is presented more intuitively. If you look at 1:46, you’ll notice that there are no health bars, no stats, no buttons; it’s only the battle scene and nothing else. This game is simplicity to the extreme. Also, in the global map view 1:25, the blood stain on those islands are not randomly painted; they accurately represent where the fighting took place. The developers have certainly put in a lot of thought and effort to create an aesthetically appealing game.
Wait... you didn't say "the dark souls of minimalist RTS", is this a real review? Kidding, nice work; it's nice to see reviewers who aren't "this is bad gaem" or "this is gud gaem", but appreciate it for its flaws and successes and gives a good summary of what players can expect -- my brother would hate this game, I would love it, and its thanks to reviews like this that we can make such distinctions.
I would have to disagree, he makes it seem like he's never been to last stand before. Yes I know this was an older version but I have a quote from someone who played the game when it came out saying last stand has always existed.
Great video and research but that outro though... Why is the intro so good and the score display so "love-less"? Also, I like the minimal editing (actually showing the gameplay) but it could have done with some lower thirds, providing more information maybe. Also, think that you didn't mention other platforms it released on.
Best way to play in my opinion is hand held on switch using the touch screen. Just spent all my free time last week learning and trying to beat it on normal. I beat it today and now want to try a 100 percent run on easy and eventually beat it on hard. Which ill likely save the latter for a later time. Biggest grip i had was i wanted more options. From upgrading troops more than 2-3 times for abilities and stats and maybe a 5th slot for a commander. Of course the would mean more stages and enemies. I expected to see enemy pike men, giants and i was hoping for a dragon too but fought none of those. Even with that i enjoyed my time with it and would recommend.
I was originally excited for this because I thought it was a rougelite. After hearing it was a rougelike I wanted to know more before buying. Thanks for uploading this review, I'm still not sure if I'll pick it up.
Wow this is another good review it was Lil harsh. you actually sounded like you were happy to review this game and enjoyed it. I might have to resubscribe only thing I would say though is the mic sounds Lil off otherwise great job
The majority of your problems with the game are solved with better strategy in overall strength distribution in your commanders. You also painted this early version of the game as an infinitely generating game made to beat your personal best, but there has always been a definite end to each campaign called the "last stand".
It's amazing, still don't know what the "rough edges" are that were referred to in this review. Just seemed overly critical that the game is challenging as it progresses?
Thanks for the review, enjoyed it. Was looking forward to this but I'm not a fan of games being unfair. I want to upgrade and have fun in a game, not have my archilles tendon cut and be expected to run a mile.
Just beat it once on normal and uninstalled. Came late to this review just to see what others thought. I thought it was repetitive, easy and way too simple in nature (upgrade archers, upgrade swords, win). For me it was more like a 4 or 5/10. You play it once or twice and then forget about it. Oh well.
You never played the old version, and it seems like you haven't played on the "very hard" difficulty, or gotten into any challenges made by the community. I'm on a quest to find an archive of these older versions of the game, when I find them I can share with you the true bad north experience, not the cheep patch up demanded by the minority of whining people in the community.
This reviewer doesn't know what an actual roguelike is, which is fine most people don't honestly but he tries to confidently explain that it is a roguelike lol. No dude, it's not...
Bad North player here. Bought the game. I must say the game is rough but so is this review. It's strategy made simple, but strategy nonetheless. If I lose a game and all my commanders die I look to my past actions. If I had mistakes on the battlefield, such as waiting for the raiders' ship on the tile it is going land (as shown in this footage) so it startles my units and disorientates them with heavy knockback, then it is clear why I ended up losing it all. If I didn't make any mistakes when fighting but ended up overwhelmed anyway it may be because I haven't been managing my commanders well. You cannot go sharing the gold earnings equally to your commanders; they will all be mediocre and won't stand up to the stronger tougher enemies you encounter later on. And if you're struggling to "level up" your third and fourth commanders then I recommend you practice and analyse what is going wrong, as the early game of Bad North (and most games, really) is quite simple and way easier than the mid and late game. This is the simplest (in terms of game elements) real time strategy game I've seen, and you can even slow time when deciding what to do with your commanders, making it easy to grab for turn based strategy gamers.
It's also very similar to a quite recent game, Slay the Spire, as you have to advance through the archipelago, choosing the path you see fit for your needs, achieving rewards (items and commanders) and building your team as time goes on and the villages are saved.
Did you ever reach last stand? Or was this old version just in infinite mode? I was talking to an early player to the game who has said that last stand has always existed and I'm inclined to believe them, and to simply believe that this reviewer is just bad at the game.
I personally have played pre jotunn but not very much as the update came out soon after I got the game.
@@xomvoid_akaluchiru_987 I'm busy now and I can't remember well this video, but rereading my comment I think I wrote it because I disagreed with it, but it's probable that I agree with you xd. About the last stand, yup, I've beaten it.
@@DaveWAMWLeon thanks for the info :)
And sorry to bother you whole you're busy
@@xomvoid_akaluchiru_987 don't worry I'm just in class xd
@@DaveWAMWLeon alright, well I hope you have a good life because we probably won't ever cross paths again ;p
is it just me but ive beaten the game like 40 times and still like the game
"Brutally hard" is another term for getting your money's worth. Figuring the game out is the game. If you beat it first try you would forget about it within a week.
I happen to disagree. For me a game is like a book. If I have to fight to open it, I might get interested for 20 minutes, but then I'll give up thinking I have better to do in my free time than battle a book in order to enjoy the content a bit.
I want to say something about the aesthetic aspects of the game, because no-one here seems to be discussing it. First of all, Bad North has an unconventional approach to displaying unit HP. Units don’t have their health displayed as a number or health bar; in fact, most soldiers are so fragile that a single hit they fail to block kills them instantly. However, a fight typically involves dozens of soldiers, so the notion of HP is more macroscopic; you could say that a squad with 9 soldiers has 9 HP, but that HP is presented more intuitively. If you look at 1:46, you’ll notice that there are no health bars, no stats, no buttons; it’s only the battle scene and nothing else. This game is simplicity to the extreme. Also, in the global map view 1:25, the blood stain on those islands are not randomly painted; they accurately represent where the fighting took place. The developers have certainly put in a lot of thought and effort to create an aesthetically appealing game.
I dont like that these roguelikes have no real ending...it might be fun, but its more rewarding when you are trying to accomplish something.
Wait... you didn't say "the dark souls of minimalist RTS", is this a real review?
Kidding, nice work; it's nice to see reviewers who aren't "this is bad gaem" or "this is gud gaem", but appreciate it for its flaws and successes and gives a good summary of what players can expect -- my brother would hate this game, I would love it, and its thanks to reviews like this that we can make such distinctions.
I would have to disagree, he makes it seem like he's never been to last stand before. Yes I know this was an older version but I have a quote from someone who played the game when it came out saying last stand has always existed.
Only thing is his review seems to mistake challenge and difficulty for being a flaw in the game itself.
Great video and research but that outro though... Why is the intro so good and the score display so "love-less"? Also, I like the minimal editing (actually showing the gameplay) but it could have done with some lower thirds, providing more information maybe. Also, think that you didn't mention other platforms it released on.
Best way to play in my opinion is hand held on switch using the touch screen. Just spent all my free time last week learning and trying to beat it on normal. I beat it today and now want to try a 100 percent run on easy and eventually beat it on hard. Which ill likely save the latter for a later time. Biggest grip i had was i wanted more options. From upgrading troops more than 2-3 times for abilities and stats and maybe a 5th slot for a commander. Of course the would mean more stages and enemies. I expected to see enemy pike men, giants and i was hoping for a dragon too but fought none of those. Even with that i enjoyed my time with it and would recommend.
I was originally excited for this because I thought it was a rougelite. After hearing it was a rougelike I wanted to know more before buying. Thanks for uploading this review, I'm still not sure if I'll pick it up.
After an update, its now rogue lite, progress now carries over to your next run and there are check points
Wow this is another good review it was Lil harsh. you actually sounded like you were happy to review this game and enjoyed it. I might have to resubscribe only thing I would say though is the mic sounds Lil off otherwise great job
This was a really good and in-depth review. I’d tell IGN to hire you but you’re too good for their standard
Gameranx is better
The majority of your problems with the game are solved with better strategy in overall strength distribution in your commanders. You also painted this early version of the game as an infinitely generating game made to beat your personal best, but there has always been a definite end to each campaign called the "last stand".
Very nice review and no like or subscription begging.
Good job.
Nice review, succinct, fair, and aware of possible different takes on the game depending on one's preferences. Needs a better mic though.
Do you like FTL? I'm guessing not.
Dang really was hoping this game would be something special
Oh well I guess it's back to waiting on WarGroove
I've been having a great time with the game. It's 15$, not exactly murder on the wallet either.
I can't think of any other RTS rougelike that is fundamentally fun to play so I think that makes this something special.
I prefer this over Wargroove.
It's amazing, still don't know what the "rough edges" are that were referred to in this review. Just seemed overly critical that the game is challenging as it progresses?
We need more games like this to cleanse out all the rushly made garbage on the switch.
I liked this review :)
love the video, the last trailer i tried to watch of this had a huge fuck off watermark that made my shit liquid
yeah that happened to me too
Sorry to hear that
black pigeon speaks
Thanks for the review, enjoyed it.
Was looking forward to this but I'm not a fan of games being unfair. I want to upgrade and have fun in a game, not have my archilles tendon cut and be expected to run a mile.
If you really think it's that hard maybe you're more cut out for easy mode ;)
Thats not what the difference between a rogue-like and a rogue-lite are.
Just beat it once on normal and uninstalled. Came late to this review just to see what others thought. I thought it was repetitive, easy and way too simple in nature (upgrade archers, upgrade swords, win). For me it was more like a 4 or 5/10. You play it once or twice and then forget about it. Oh well.
You never played the old version, and it seems like you haven't played on the "very hard" difficulty, or gotten into any challenges made by the community. I'm on a quest to find an archive of these older versions of the game, when I find them I can share with you the true bad north experience, not the cheep patch up demanded by the minority of whining people in the community.
I'll buy it for ps4
man i was hoping it was a rogueliTe not liKe :(
This reviewer doesn't know what an actual roguelike is, which is fine most people don't honestly but he tries to confidently explain that it is a roguelike lol. No dude, it's not...
I can guarantee you that plenty of others disagree with you on the definition of roguelike hahaha
@@kyanitefrog3880 And they are all wrong, there's history to the term that they and clearly you haven't even bothered with understanding.
@@ghostwolfx legit lol
@@kyanitefrog3880 legit you're a fucking moron
No good?
It's good, I'm currently looking for an archive of the pre jotunn versions which are arguably more balanced and better all around.
Skip
It's good, I'm currently looking for an archive of the pre jotunn versions which are arguably more balanced and better all around.
Your troop placement is awful
Looks boring.