Crusader Kings III: Northern Lords

Crusader Kings III: Northern Lords
N/A
Metacritic
67
Steam
66.075
xDR
Our rating is calculated based on the reviews and popularity of the game.
Price
$5.59
Release date
16 March 2021
Full game
Publishers
Steam reviews score
Total
67 (1 030 votes)

Best known as fierce raiders from a land of snow and legend, the Norse were a complex society where loyalty was based on more than a noble bloodline. Northern Lords is the first Flavor Pack for Crusader Kings III. It offers new events and cultural themes related to Norse society.

Show detailed description

Crusader Kings III: Northern Lords system requirements

Minimum:

  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS: Windows® 8.1 64 bit / Windows® 10 Home 64 bit
  • Processor: Intel® Core™ i3-2120 / AMD® FX 6350
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 460 (1GB) / AMD® Radeon™ HD 7870 (2GB) / Intel® Iris Pro™ 580 / Intel® Iris® Plus G7 / AMD® Radeon™ Vega 11
  • Storage: 8 GB available space
Updated
App type
Steam APP ID
1303183
Fullgame appid
1158310
Platforms
Windows PC
Mac
Linux
Popularity
Reviews
Write a new review
Draco4472
Draco4472

Worth it if you play Scandinavian countries a lot, it's more flavor and content.

The only major gameplay or mechanical change aside from more culture-specific events would be Adventures, when you want to go a-viking for Odin over *there* and not be stuck being based in same mountainous northern climates. Perfect if you like the satisfaction of invading with a massive army more than building up your lands (which you leave behind) and variety between games - it's unusually fun to invade and settle India with thousands of viking raiders.

EDIT: The price it and all Flavor Pack DLCs is being doubled as of September 2022 - I can recommend getting it for $7, not for $14 with so few gameplay additions.

Kiethoo
Kiethoo

Probably the only DLC that doesn't have any real issues.

The game play added is fun and had some pretty challenging events.
Playing as a Norse Viking and the flavor added is fun.

Raiding is fun, the changes to the Norse Men at Arms and small events are also great.

Only DLC so far that's worth it's price.

Sapp
Sapp

The CKII version of vikings is way better, missing so many cool features. Asatru religion really sucks and could really use some more buffs, a bit more difficult to reform compared to CKII. Honestly it would be nice if we could just reform the religion without holy sites.

Mosse
Mosse

Writing this ahead of time. This DLC was barely worth the original asking price of 6.99, and will under not circumstance be worth the new price of 12.99. Avoid, if at the very least to discourage the disgusting choice of doubling the price of something already released.

Twanglet
Twanglet

Paradox is retroactively doubling the price of this DLC from September 2022. Very poor and unethical, and this DLC's content does not justify a higher price tag

Drunk1nD0nuts
Drunk1nD0nuts

Barely any content as is. Retroactively doubling the price while not adding anything more to it is just pure greed.

tzeneth
tzeneth

The DLC adds some stuff to the game but it doesn't feel that deep or all inclusive. I originally would have said to grab it if you play Norse or around the Norse area as it does add enough that if you play those areas a lot, it might be worth it. That was before the proposed price increase in September that will basically double the price. The DLC would barely be worth the base price if you do a lot of Norse. At the increased price? I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole. Stay away if you are getting this after the price increase.

The McRib
The McRib

Bought the DLC day one it dropped, it was $6.99 and stayed that price for a good while for $7 it was a decent amount of content and borderline essential if you plan on playing as a Norse ruler, recently however at the time this review is being written Paradox will be changing the price of this DLC to $12.99, let me be frank even as someone who enjoys the Norse rulers and loves this pack there is not $13 worth of content here only buy it when it has a discount to get your moneys worth

Chairswing
Chairswing

For 6,99€? Acceptable, even though the features probably should have been base game since during the CK3 development they said that no CK2 features shall be sold as CK3 DLC

From September 13th 2022 onwards though the price will be 12,99€, which is unacceptable for how little this DLC does

lcf37
lcf37

Greedy company, horrible DLC policy. Doubling prices for already released content. Increasing prices for future DLCs when every new release has been either bugged(Iberia) or lacking content(Northern Lords). I would have no problems if quality and content were also increasing with price increases, but increasing prices for already finished DLC, before even addressing all issues is a joke. Also, over 2 months and no updates, Iberia still bugged and they don´t care. Stop supporting paradox.

Ninaran
Ninaran

PDX coming back from what feels like two months of vacation: "we've come once again for your financial support."
They'll double the price of this without increasing the content. Hard pass.

Raudskeggr
Raudskeggr

Some very poor judgement involved with recent marketing strategy surrounding this DLC. Do not reward this unethical business practice.

CrashDogma
CrashDogma

Only really impacts the early game, and you lose a lot because of how the culture splits/progresses over time. The adventure mechanic is fun to play as, but becomes excruciating to be on the receiving end if you play a game that involves any part of Brittania. Beyond that, doubling the price a year and a half after its release is gross.

asaeampan
asaeampan

it was already bad enough that paradox was putting out this so called flavour pack for $7 despite the included content not even being worth nearly that, they have recently announced that they are DOUBLING the price of this one and fate of iberia. They are also going to be adding this new doubled price to all FUTURE flavour packs. do NOT purchase this DLC especially after this price update.

MikkelDA
MikkelDA

Very barebones DLC. It is barely worth the 6.99 euro it was at launch, but the new 12.99 it is vastly overpriced.
Never buy this DLC unless it is on a big sale.

BigNut
BigNut

Like many others said before: The content wasn't really worth the price in the beginning and after the decision to nearly double the price for no good reason is just sad.

arranrp
arranrp

CK3 came out as one of the most polished PDX games, but this was a very disappointing first peace of content. Not worth it for most players.

crowdrift
crowdrift

Saying "I hate Northmen invasions" is the equivalent of saying "I hate the Anti-Christ".

"I HATE NORTHMEN INVASIONS"

Supareshawn
Supareshawn

fantastic dlc that fleshes out the vikings, cant wait for the DLC price increases to get more great content like this highly recommend as current $6 price tag for a dlc that probably took months to develop is an absolute steal

ColouredGray
ColouredGray

$6.99 is alright, somewhat matches the quality of the dlc. What doesn't match the quality of it is raising the price to $12.99

Stefanos
Stefanos

DLC will DOUBLE! in price on September 2022.

This after they already increased prices for 3rd world regions by 50% a few months back, so if you live in a poor region like myself this will be at least THREE TIMES! the price it was last year.

Seb
Seb

The week they came back from their break they announce they are close to doubling the price for this dlc it is not worth that price.
edit* It is still not worth the price imo

Noble_Steel
Noble_Steel

Surely this must be some kind of sick joke. They don't intend to DOUBLE the price on a nearly two year old DLC, do they? No, no, surely they mean't that they intend to halve the price down to $3.50 USD! That is the only logical conclusion comrades. Lest they give us a casus belli to boycott their ass...

Magnum Caracal
Magnum Caracal

this dlc wasnt worth the 6.59 euro price tag to begin with, dont get me wrong, it added some flavor and did it very well, but the amount of content provided didnt do enough to justify the price, and when i learned that they intend to double the price, i was flabbergasted

tekkersツ
tekkersツ

they intend to double the price. if it was barely worth it before, it will definetly not be worth it then

P.S.
P.S.

They doubled the price so the Friends and Foes DLC seems more reasonably priced (it isn't). Look, while I prefer CK2 and think it's the superior game, CK3 is very fun nowadays and easier for beginners to get into than CK2. But man, PDX is getting really greedy with this game.

This is a nice DLC, with flavour-rich features that this game always benefits from (even if it is rather barebones compared to Fate of Iberia). It was a must-buy if you're into Vikings and sheet. Worth it at its original asking price of 7€, but you must be trippin' or be a PDX-influencer to seriously think this is worth the new price they're asking for.

oakieanthony
oakieanthony

Brought the dlc a week after it launched and loved it, prefer hoi4 or eu4 tho... so i don't play this game much

Cereal
Cereal

Upping the price to 17 dollars for a FLAVOUR PACK that adds negligible substance to the game is absolutely absurd and a horrific business practice. Get a hold of yourself Paradox.

cdhewko
cdhewko

An actual DLC.

Not a just a skin.
Nice.
Adding death to cultural stuff is a DLC but it seems to add in universally instead of say just in the cultures that had it.
I understand it makes adding it easier to a game already developed, but it also makes modding kind of required to keep say Rome roman etc.
Raiding is not really a big add on, but the flavor is pretty good overall.
The negative stuff is because it literally changed everything as it came out and it was not optional with the update.
Basically breaking most saves, or play thorough while giving a small group of people what they want.

Sigh.. Not recommending it, but I do not feel it is bad either.
Just not something everyone was waiting for in DLCs.

MetallicDirge
MetallicDirge

Thievery at 13 bucks. This pack adds a handful of strong MaAs, some flavor events, and like 2 religious doctrines...

Engellus
Engellus

DO NOT BUY AT FULL PRICE

This was a lean DLC to begin with, despite my own affinity for the Northmen.

Flaws? Here's an example:
As Norse, I conquered all of the Baltic territories and into Prussia. I had the largest army of any Norse ruler by far. Yet somehow I kept facing the Viking Adventurers that would sail up to Narva or Reval and land their 8800 troops there to attack me. That's where I rally. That's where they get stack wiped. Yet for some reason I faced them each cycle of new adventurers. The mechanic is broken because they targeted the strongest opponent, probably because I'm the player.

9forMortalMen
9forMortalMen

Northern Lords is my favorite DLC I've ever gotten from Paradox. The flavor is great, the music is great, but now I've spent 70% or so of my total playtime on various Norse lords from Haesteinn to Tanglehair.

steefs935
steefs935

Very good DLC i really like the authentic viking feel it gives. As a Norse history lover I like it allot.

I see everyone complaining about the price strange it's still cheap here in my country, unless they decreased the price. It cost me 11,91 shekels which is 3.51 dollars.

Majik_Ninja
Majik_Ninja

I got this dlc through the royal edition becuase I didn't think any of the dlcs (especially Royal court) were worth the price. Changing the price to $13 is dumb and a cash grab for a good but already content lacking and overpriced dlc.

mb3
mb3

This disturbs me, people negative review bombing because Paradox is raising there product prices. Its a good flavor pack and fun to play. Paradox has every right to charge what they want for there product, if you don't like it then simply don't buy it. If enough people stop buying them then they will adjust the pricing. Don't they teach economics in school anymore?

Review bomb all you want, its not going to stop people who enjoy there games from buying them, and its not going to force Paradox to lower there prices. You just being a bunch of sooky's.

DankeyKang
DankeyKang

Most positive reviews are only positive because this was the first dlc and seemed like a fresh idea with a pretty inexpensive price. I liked it too, but after playing for a while the features are really not that interesting or fleshed out. The price is pretty high for something thats even worse than a lot fan mods.

SirVotka
SirVotka

It was a good content pack... for it's former price. But with Paradox increasing the prices of all DLC's, the:
- Few new traditions
- Special background and models
- Special casus belis
- Flavor events and decisions
...just are not enough for the new price.

andre
andre

This DLC wasn't properly tested and will probably never be fixed knowing paradox when you reject the norse culture split it still turns everyone Sweedish for no reason when your heir gets into power

CrustyJack
CrustyJack

The Northern Lords pack barely even added anything to the game. When compared to the vikings of CK2 it looks even worse. Shouldn't have been DLC at all it should have been in the base game.

Slav Mcgopnik
Slav Mcgopnik

Buyer beware, this was already very anemic for 6.99 and now the price is being doubled.

ME GUSTA MAN
ME GUSTA MAN

goofy ahhhhhhh price change
still a cracking dlc

volcaniclastic
volcaniclastic

Don't help fund the ceo's new yacht. Buy this on sale or wait until the inevitable subscription pack

Cayden Black
Cayden Black

Northern Lords is a lot of fun, primarily as you begin in a position of opportunity for rapid growth if (like me ) you choose a random faction over the focal ones.

The mechanic to migrate to new lands with a war host is also a nice touch. I've yet to succeed with this, but I still like it. I do not like it, however, when the A.I. decides to migrate to MY land. Bad NPC factions, bad! Back to the Baltic with you!

gamebori
gamebori

Are the developers rashists? Or is this some sick joke? Why are all east Slavic tribes in 867 Russian????

OA7
OA7

ديم ، إضافة رهيبة ، الفايكنق دائماً ممتعين خصوصاً ذي الإضافة أشوفها ضرورية
مثلاً تلعب بالفحل الزعيم هاستين وغامر بكوكب الأرض ، احتل اللي يعجبك

بعض مزايا الإضافة :
- المغامرة > كسبب احتلال يخليك تحتل أرض جديدة بعيدة مع حذف الألقاب القديمة
- مزايا خاصة بالفايكنق بالموروثات زي زيادة سرعة مركباتهم البحرية والحصار والغارات والتدمير وزيادة الذهب والبرستيج والكثير
- صفات جديدة خاصة بالفايكنق لزيادة قوة الشخصية
- كتائب مشاة ثقيلة خاصة أبو فأس قدامى المحاربين = من أقوى كتائب اللعبة

شغل موسيقى الفايكنق وفحط بالماب وادعس لو تبي إمبراطور بيزنطة

cretedog
cretedog

THE BASE GAME DOESNT EVEN MAKE SENSE DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF SHIT. NOTIHNG WORKS AND ITS ALL A BUNCH OF NONSENSE DIRECTION. NO CLEAR INSTRUCTION ON ANYTHING...A RIPOFF

Mr_Dimento
Mr_Dimento

good flavor pack, playing vikings is a lot of fun

sogs
sogs

the stuff added is good, but the DLC policy here is horrendous. the game is missing so much in its current state if you compare it to CK2... and Paradox will slowly release 'expansions' for each culture group to bring it up to standard in order to milk as much money as possible. this is an update behind a paywall. people saying this is good value for money have deceived themselves into thinking practises like this are okay for game devs.

Pandelis
Pandelis

First and foremost, let's all take a moment to appreciate the awesome music additions this brings to the base game. Apart from that, the event additions for Norse people are pretty cool and keep the early game packed with interest.

Amarth
Amarth

Barely any new content. Played through this DLC and it felt like the vanilla game still. This should have been a free patch, not 7€ DLC. If this sets the tone for future DLC then I don't think this game will last long.

PhatKumala
PhatKumala

I made the world naked 10/10 for old man titties

Porkchop Sandwiches
Porkchop Sandwiches

My mother was a concubine but she was a hard woman. She raised me to become a king.

When she died, the kingdom was poor. I had no gold to give her the lavish remembrance she deserved.

But still, I gave her a funeral worthy of an Empress.

Sailing around the world, I made all the wealthiest rulers pay in reverence of my mother. I sacked their cities and ransomed their relatives.

"Why does he do it?" they may ask.

Do I do it for my gods? For my pride? For wealth and power?

No, my raids were in honor of my mother.

So I could give her the funeral she deserves.

Joe
Joe

Northern Lords adds depth if you're going to play in or around Northern Europe. Also the soundtrack is awesome.

[XIII] Lucius Vinicius
[XIII] Lucius …

When you are not playing as vikings (or far enough away from them), this makes them *so* obnoxious. They'll constantly spam you with 8000 size armies and try to conquer you, regardless of how useful the territory they try to gain is actually good or not. They just do it to piss on your boots.

Highly Intelligent Visitor [HIV]
Highly Intelli…

i do the pillaging and the struggle snuggling. am viking. thanks paradox

goosewild
goosewild

A nice flavour pack, with good cosmetic changes

Jjthestrawb
Jjthestrawb

The Northern Lords Flavour Pack doesn't add much to CK3. There are new events, decisions and traits for Norse characters, but that's about it.
I do find it strange that the first DLC was for a region that was already pretty well fleshed out, although given that vikings are the most popular characters to play as, it makes sense from a business perspective.
The best thing added by this DLC is the wide variety of new hats, haircuts, clothes and (most importantly) cloaks which justify the purchase of this DLC on their own in my opinion, although if you never bother with the in-game ruler customiser, they add very little.
Thankfully, this DLC is optional as feature overhauls and large patches come for free whenever DLC's release. This DLC's accompanying patch implemented weather I believe, which does add a new layer of strategy to warfare, although it is fairly minor.
Overall, skip this DLC if you don't care about vikings or any of the new clothing options. If you do care about them (and I suspect a large number of players do), this DLC is definitely worth it, given the low price point. Pick it up on sale if you feel hesitant, but I do think it is worth the full price.

Bolan
Bolan

I thought they'd include more of Crusader Kings 2's content but now I am certain they're just going to slowly roll all of it out as paid DLC.

TheStrategicFox
TheStrategicFox

This DLC is quite good. Definitely worth buying on sale.

xXKingRichardIIIXx
xXKingRichardIIIXx

Pretty fun, if you like playing norse characters.

Zing165
Zing165

I think this DLC is worth the price if you're interested at all in doing a viking/Norse game. However if you have no interest in that and only intend on playing in other parts of the world, this DLC will have little impact on your game and is not worth it.

DocJenkins
DocJenkins

Am I supposed to be constantly attacked by Northmen as a Northerner? Honestly, I thought this DLC would be harmless, but since I've started playing again I am constantly hammered by 8k Northmen armies, while I'm a Northern ruler. As if the early game isn't difficult and tedious enough with my Vassals always at my heir's throat.

i.bugova
i.bugova

Excellent definitely worth it. If you love the vikings this is a requirement. Well done Paradox for creating a marvellous DLC

Pellaaja_Miguel
Pellaaja_Miguel

Adds nice flavor to norse characters

✞𝓣𝓸𝓶𝓼✞
✞𝓣𝓸𝓶𝓼✞

contents is too less, and not worth this price, entire item i think just develop in 1 day and sell damn expensive.

Rylen
Rylen

makes vikings more broken than they already were, 10/10 historically accurate

Drago Duval
Drago Duval

Honestly i love this flavor pack., it's well worth the price (but do get it on sale if you can, i get that dlc can get pricey. Plus it does come often on sale).

I love starting as a Norse lord before settling somewhere else in the world (95% of the times in wale) and start my empire, and the events and decisions does make the game better. I do wish that there was more content for shieldbearers and for norse lords that settled away and embraced the local cultures.

Red Skald
Red Skald

A fantastic expansion at a reasonable price, very regionally focused and adds lots of flavour to the Norse, Britain and Russia in one go through many different aspects of the game, if it is a vision into the future of regional flavour for CK3 I wait with baited breath as they have set a very high bar

Eqqsquizitine Buble-Schwinslow
Eqqsquizitine …

Hinga dinga durgen, give us your möney or we will sex you consent'nt

Skitzo ツ
Skitzo ツ

F*CK DENMARK THE ASSHOLES STOLE MY WIFE

Rickest Rick
Rickest Rick

Feelings aside I've noticed one huge issue since getting this DLC.

Personally I love to start on Ireland & reclaim Britania in one generation on Iron Man but, now it's even more of a massive pain in the a**. If you have the DLC on & if you're an independent ruler in some parts of the world, you'll get invaded every 5 years by massive f***ing Norsemen 8k stacks.

I did a gameplay through where every 5 years on the dot I was getting attacked by random Norse Invaders. So if you're starting in say, 900 AD Ireland as the Dutchy of Connacht like I love, you my friend will struggle to ever be independent again :)

pfordthompson
pfordthompson

I really love the new features for the North Sea area that this expansion added. Very fun to go viking now.

Coin
Coin

Really like it and it adds to my immersion

Tricore
Tricore

This dlc is very fun when you're playing as the vikings however whenever you aren't, its bullshit. It doesn't seem to matter your position is, every 10 years you get attacked by vikings who will either completely kick you out of your own realm or force a game over or you have to pay stupid amounts of money to bribe them off. I understand from a historical point its very accurate but it doesnt matter if you're in England (where vikings raided irl) or in the middle of the baltics or balkans, they'll attack you. I was playing in the baltic regions when a small civil war fired and in come the vikings. Had to pay them off which led to debt and every realm around me decided to kick me when i was down. I would recommend turning it off if you are playing anyone but the vikings. I understand I'm not the best CK3 player but I'm decent if a million things don't come at me at once.

Very Sorry
Very Sorry

Love playing as Norse, so this is a no-brainer. Awesome stuff.

J3RUSAL3M
J3RUSAL3M

A nice little DLC adding a quite a lot of enjoyable Norse content.

Ultravires
Ultravires

Still waiting on the BYZANTINE Flavor pack.

chimp with a machine gun
chimp with a m…

You can make the pope a human sacrifice to Odin

CrusadingGoat
CrusadingGoat

its okay. but it needs more work to it.

YESS i'm a MESS
YESS i'm a MESS

Adds nice flavor for Vikings, and playing in the northern area of the map in general. Definitely feels worth it to me, since even if you're not playing a Viking dynasty you're going to be interacting with them a lot if you're in a lot of the popular starting areas. Keeping my fingers crossed that we'll get flavor packs for areas in more need of flavor though--I've been playing in India and it's a blast, but there's a huuuuge amount you could do with the various cultures of the Indian subcontinent.

j.bryceyoung3
j.bryceyoung3

More hit than miss, but some additions feel more like power inflation than even handed expansion.

Legible_Ginger
Legible_Ginger

I like the culture enrichment, seems like a solid way to improve play in different areas the player may enjoy.

camocat9
camocat9

Northern Lords is an extremely small pack that simply adds more things to do as Norse rulers- sacrifices, adventures, completely new events and dynasty legacies, and more are well worth the low price if you frequently play these types of rulers.

Chikin Sensei
Chikin Sensei

If you don't plan on playing Vikings, disable the DLC, it makes so vikings so powerfull they can just take your duchy with a 8k stack (if not more). Meaning some part of the map aren't fun to play, since you can't protect yourself from those angry vikings. However, if you plan to play vikings, this is the way to go

EzioBuscemi
EzioBuscemi

If you aren't doing a norse play through you get constantly harassed by 10k stacks as every decade or so, makes playing any Britannic or northern European playthrough a pain. Turn off in launcher!

damon104
damon104

What happened to the characters' appearance?

Sir Nilbog
Sir Nilbog

Definitely as step in the right director the game. Im having a blast with all the new options in culture and the royal court! IGN 10/10 would recommend

Sage
Sage

10/10 would get endlessly raided by Vikings again.

OrpheusCCM
OrpheusCCM

Adds some interesting mechanics. I recommend it.

Pickelhaube
Pickelhaube

Northen Lords is in my opinion unbalanced DLC.
If you play as norsemen you will quickly become a powerhouse and be able to steamroll through competition (this can be absolutely fun experience) but if you play as any Britannic or northern European nation, you will constantly be harased by 8K stacks either just stealing your land or outright ending your campaign. With this playing as Irish duke and unifying Ireland in one generation becomes pain in the ass and is just frustrtraiting.

Now some positive things about this flavour pack, music is awensome! Absolute banger! And art is also georges.
There are also some new features like establishing runestones (upon victory, death of a king etc.) that can give realm bonuses. And a few new options like dueling other norse kings (to settle disputes etc.,).

I would recomend buying this DLC when it is on discount or just not buying it as it is not the best one gameplay wise.

Draky
Draky

This is just pathetic, there are, what, 3 generic events that pop up time and time again durign raiding? The Old Gods had more events just for raiding alone, on top of a host of other features......

Nexxes
Nexxes

Great DLC if you like VIkings - believe me just pillage Rome.

The Emperor of His Room
The Emperor of…

If you like sailing around ransacking the filthy Christians and their dead god in the name of Odin, (which you should) This just makes it so much better. This is all about the vikings and norsemen so only get this if you are interested in playing as them, which I recommend because it's a literal bloody good time.

SkunkPlaysGames
SkunkPlaysGames

It gets a thumbs up from me simply because it does well what it set out to do, expand on a region and make it feel more unique playing a ruler for that region.

Now that said, I do agree with other commentators who stated that the Norse were not nearly as in need of unique flavor as some other parts of the world, but if I can expect this sort of treatment for other regions, I would truly endorse it.

???? ????????
???? ????????

great flavor pack, got me obsessed with viking cultures now

Acar
Acar

It's much more than a flavor pack.

Jagermaestro
Jagermaestro

The 3 wolves howling at the moon Nazi fanfic simulator gofundme is live! Honestly if I don't see another vikings themed anything for the rest of my life I will be extraordinarily happy. This minor group of nomadic criminals, famous for inventing really nice hand-carved rowboats and making incredible trips just to burn peoples houses down and steal their food, featured heavily in 2021 much to the year's zeitgeist for racist authoritarianism's delight.

Honestly at one point I was excited about Vikings. They've been unbalanced since CK2 and that hasn't changed and isn't a concern of mine. I am fine with optional DLC as well that adds flavor to a group that some (even if I find them loathsome) people enjoy. But this was the DLC that came with pre-order and that takes any agency away from me to choose, so it's basically free air pods.

Given that the follow up DLC has ruined my current faction I am obsessed with (Darfur), the entire DLC experience has been abysmal.

Keyser Soze
Keyser Soze

The best DLC, for the best nations in the game!

bolt_fi
bolt_fi

Well look at that, one more reason that paradox favors Scandinavian countries (well they are Swedish company).

First these Nordics had four different man-at-arms units specifically for them to use:

1. - Bondi that counters two not one kind unit = 1. archers 2. light cavalry.
2. - Varangian Veterans same = 1. spearmen 2. heavy cavalry.
3. - Huscarls it is also two units= 1. spearmen 2. archers.
4. - Vigmen lucky there is only one = 1. skirmishers
so all together units they can counters are = Skirmishers, Archers, Spears, Light- and Heavy-cavalry.
not only that Varangian Veterans are maybe best heavy infantry units of the game and that they can get them right start of game?
and how they balance this? (some useless disadvantageous terrains for Bondi unit and Huscarls upkeep wits is little expensive and you can just replace that unit for 33-38% cheaper Varangian Veterans who are maybe best heavy infantry unit?)

well at less they left Heavy Infantry's out of the units they can counter........

AND NOW THEY DID IT, THEY PUT SOME KIND JORMSVIKINGS PIRATES THAT COUNTERS TWO DIFFERENT UNITS AGAIN?
- Jomsviking Pirates counters = 1. archers 2. heavy infantry.

HEAVY INFANTRY!!
well now i can say it, Nordics has counter for every different unit class.
unless you can win them whit siege units?

Alpha Elephant
Alpha Elephant

I would like to play in Ireland please

The Sister Fister
The Sister Fister

Good content but basically just a paid mod

Yoko Taro >= GOD
Yoko Taro >= GOD

There's no raid mapmode.
What a lazy DLC.

hafuhafu
hafuhafu

9k+ army out of nowhere around 900? That's northmen? Do they print human beings and print money?

LzDK14
LzDK14

Leave games outside of politics.

The_Handsome_Hobo
The_Handsome_Hobo

Fantastic for the price! Adds a lot of cool little options, events, and interactions for Nordic cultures. If you have some extra money, I'd definitely consider getting it. If it's on sale I'd say it's mandatory

Real gunduz
Real gunduz

Before this DLC it was just about raiding and conquering. The DLC makes it much more better and gets you into the Nordic culture.

Civ
Civ

This dlc detracts more than it adds imo. It makes being a Norse lord slightly more fun, but makes playing a bunch of other factions way less fun. 9k stacks spawning out of thin air to attack you every 10 years is just not very enjoyable

HRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM
HRUUUUUUUUUUUU…

I will recommend this DLC due to the reasonable price (by Paradox standards), and the overall amount of decent to good content that the Norse factions get, but if I had one word to describe the changes to the Norse, it would be "Powerful" - although whether you view this as a good thing or a bad thing depends on you.

-The new renown dynasty trees that the Norse can unlock are a nice avenue to add flavour, and some choices are also extremely strong. One perk in particular that springs to mind is the one that gives you +5 gold per 100 casualties after every battle. You can see this as another avenue of income for tribal leaders that only really have raiding as a way to make money, but the perk will remain active even when you convert to Feudal, which is hilariously overpowered. When not playing as Norse, it is upsetting that no other cultures have their own unique dynasty renown paths, and their absence is sorely missed.

-If you are playing as a non-Norse lord nearby, prepare to get attacked by gargantuan armies that spring forth out of thin air every so often. However, the game does present some other diplomatic and costly ways to deal with them, and for the most part they are not at all as annoying as the unending adventurer spam from CK2, at least in my opinion - but they can get super irritating, and if you are playing as a smaller nation, it can reallllly turn you away from wanting to continue.

-Playing with the adventurer casus bellis available to the Norse can make for some enjoyable playthroughs.

-Their new events, decisions, traits, are all juicy. Although some can feel a bit repetitive and stale - I have not noticed any real variety between the Blot festivals, for example.

-I do wish they expanded on raiding a little more. Right now, there aren't that many raiding events added, and while there is a 'viking' trait for raiding frequently, there's no tiered traits or special dynasty buffs that come with it, like the sea king tiered traits from CK2. This is a missed opportunity to flesh out something that most Norse rulers will engage in frequently, in a Norse themed DLC all about adding Norse content for Norse lords.

-A MASSIVE plus that some may overlook is the fact that the new cosmetics and music tracks were lumped in together with this flavour pack, and not cut and sold as separate content. While this should be the standard for every video game DLC, for Paradox, that's a brand new innovation. Keep it up.

Overall, a decent DLC for a decent pricetag, assuming you plan on playing a lot of Norse characters.

nullpo
nullpo

Make the norse on steroids. The varangian veterans combine the strength heavy infantry with the pursuit of skirmisher, Shieldmaiden makes your daughter more than just political tool, and if you're not careful and forget your viking invasion every 10 year they might just screw you up since they arrive with at least 10k soldiers.

Sujamma
Sujamma

playing a viking will never be the same now.

Hydralisk43
Hydralisk43

It's fun to play as a Viking, but it's a different story if you play for example as a ruler of The British Isles. In terms of price, I think it's okay, because I bought it as a bundle with The Royal Edition. If you want and like the idea to play as a ruler of Scandinavian, there's nothing to stop you, just buy it. But for a normal game, I advised you to buy this Flavor Pack with the Royal Edition.

Mud
Mud

A little light on content and I think it will feel only more woeful when the Iberian flavor pack releases. That being said if you love Norse, and I do, you will be glad to have it. I think mostly positive reviews is perfect because it's solid but not quite good.

shake can't have any
shake can't have any

The CKII version of this is far superior. The raiding mechanic breaks other mechanics such as the Blot. It's impossible to get support from other Norse allies during the invasion because your armies are hostile to each other. Overall, this detracts from the gameplay experience.

Shyanika01
Shyanika01

I found this pack pretty enjoyable. I love Vikings & Norse culture. I recommend getting this pack on sale. It's good but it's not $6.99 good.

DaveM
DaveM

paradox has the worst reviewed dlc. too expensive for little content.

BerlinVincent
BerlinVincent

This DLC gives Scandinavia a truly amazing amount of immersion.
The introduced systems make it much more fun to play as both Norse and anyone in their range, as there are new kingdoms to carve and challenges to overcome.

Me likey

TheUnderDog12
TheUnderDog12

Great first DLC to be released

SomeGuyWhoIsAGuy
SomeGuyWhoIsAGuy

you can raid people as a viking and do stuff