Is Norland Worth It? Here’s My Take After Hours of Gameplay
As a fan of strategy games that let you dive deep into managing kingdoms, family politics, and diplomacy, I was naturally drawn to Norland.
The game promises to deliver a medieval experience where you don’t just build cities and fight wars, but also manage complex family dynamics, deal with peasant revolts, and navigate the murky waters of diplomacy.
The question is: Is Norland worth it? After spending hours navigating its intricate systems, I can confidently say that Norland offers a rich experience—but it’s not for everyone.
A Fresh Take on Kingdom Management
One of the most striking things about Norland is how it stands out from other kingdom-building games. If you're used to games like Crusader Kings III or Banished, you might expect a typical resource management grind with some political decisions thrown in.
But Norland takes things a step further by focusing heavily on family dynamics. This means your noble family is at the center of everything, and how they interact with each other—and the kingdom—can have huge ripple effects.
In one of my playthroughs, I assigned my eldest son to oversee the army, only to have my youngest daughter scheme against him for power. This internal family conflict eventually spilled out into the kingdom, causing instability that nearly brought my reign to an end.
And this is what makes Norland so unique—the decisions you make about your family members carry just as much weight as the political alliances you form.
But this complexity can be a double-edged sword. While I loved the challenge, I can see how the depth of family politics might overwhelm someone looking for a more straightforward strategy game.
You’re not just managing resources—you’re constantly keeping an eye on who’s betraying whom, which can feel like a lot of plates to spin at once.
Pros of the Family Dynamics
Immersive Gameplay: Every family member feels like a fully fleshed-out character with their own motives and ambitions. It’s deeply satisfying to see how your actions affect their relationships and standing in the kingdom.
Replayability: No two playthroughs are the same. Family conflicts, alliances, and random events make each game feel fresh and unpredictable.
Story-Driven Experience: If you enjoy games that tell a story through gameplay rather than cutscenes, Norland excels at this. The narrative is woven into every decision, big or small.
Cons of Family Dynamics
High Learning Curve: If you’re not used to managing both a kingdom and personal politics, Norland can feel like a lot to juggle. Family drama adds a layer of complexity that can be stressful rather than enjoyable if you prefer simpler mechanics.
Can Feel Micromanage-y: Sometimes, it feels like you’re spending more time dealing with petty family squabbles than expanding your kingdom. If you’re the type of player who wants to focus on conquest or resource management, this might feel like a distraction.
The Economy and Warfare: Solid, But Not Revolutionary
Now, on to the more traditional kingdom management elements. The economy in Norland is straightforward, but it requires careful planning. You have to balance taxation, resource gathering, and trade to keep your kingdom stable.
In one game, I set taxes too high and caused a peasant revolt that completely derailed my plans to expand the army. Lesson learned: keep your peasants happy!
The warfare mechanics, while engaging, aren’t groundbreaking. Battles are mostly decided by how well-prepared you are, but there’s enough depth to keep things interesting.
The addition of fanatics—units you can recruit if you become a saint—adds a nice touch, giving you specialized units with higher morale. However, if you’re coming from a game like Total War, you might find the battles in Norland lacking in strategic depth.
Pros of Economy and Warfare
Balanced Economic System: Resource management is well-balanced. You need to think ahead about growth, but it’s not so complicated that it becomes overwhelming.
Fanatics and Special Units: Recruiting fanatics adds a cool layer to the military system, making sainthood not just a title, but a tactical advantage.
Diplomacy Adds Depth: Your interactions with neighboring kingdoms can sway the tides of war. I’ve managed to avoid conflicts through well-timed marriages and trade deals, showing how versatile diplomacy can be.
Cons of Economy and Warfare
Simplistic Warfare: While engaging, the battles don’t offer the same tactical depth as other strategy games. If you’re looking for a game with complex military maneuvers, this may fall a bit short.
Economy Can Be Slow at First: Early on, the economy feels a bit slow to get moving, and mistakes can be hard to recover from. If you tank your economy early, it’s an uphill battle to bounce back.
Is Norland Worth the Price?
At $29.99 in Early Access, Norland offers a lot of content for its price. For comparison, games like RimWorld and Crusader Kings III started at similar price points and delivered similarly complex and deep experiences. Norland fits right in with these games in terms of its depth and replayability.
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that Norland is still in Early Access, which means it’s not a finished product yet. The developers have already been rolling out updates based on player feedback, and there’s more content planned. So if you’re someone who enjoys getting in on the ground floor and watching a game evolve, Norland is definitely worth the investment.
However, if you’re the type of player who prefers a fully polished experience, you might want to wait until the game officially leaves Early Access.
Right now, there are still occasional bugs, and some systems (like diplomacy) could benefit from a bit more refinement.
Pros of Buying Early Access
Cheaper Price Now: The game is likely to get more expensive once it leaves Early Access, so buying in early could save you money.
Ongoing Development: The developers are actively updating the game, so you can expect new features and improvements over time.
Community Involvement: Early Access allows you to provide feedback and help shape the future of the game.
Cons of Buying Early Access
Bugs and Glitches: As with any Early Access game, you’ll encounter the occasional bug. While it’s nothing game-breaking, it can be frustrating if you’re someone who values a polished experience.
Unfinished Features: Some mechanics, like diplomacy, feel a bit underdeveloped in the current build. You might find yourself waiting for future updates to get the full experience.
Conclusion: Is Norland Worth It?
So, is Norland worth your time and money? In my opinion, yes—if you’re a fan of deep strategy games that focus on storytelling, politics, and complex systems.
The game offers a unique blend of family management, kingdom building, and warfare that keeps each playthrough fresh and engaging.
While the learning curve is steep and the Early Access version isn’t without its bugs, the potential for what Norland could become makes it a worthwhile investment.
However, if you’re looking for a fast-paced strategy game with more emphasis on conquest and battles, Norland might not be your cup of tea. The heavy focus on family dynamics and political intrigue can slow things down, making it more suited to players who enjoy a slower, more deliberate style of gameplay.
If you enjoy games like Crusader Kings or RimWorld, then Norland is definitely worth trying, especially while it’s still in Early Access and priced reasonably.
For those who prefer a more polished, finished product, you might want to wait until the game’s official release.
Either way, Norland has the potential to be one of the most engaging and unique strategy games out there.
