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Review of Bad North on Nintendo Switch

by Gemma Looksby Gemma Looksby photo Aug 2018
Cover image of Bad North on Switch
Gamefings Score: 8.5
Platform: Switch Switch logo
Released: 20 Aug 2018
Genre: Real-time Strategy
Developer: Plausible Concept
Publisher: Raw Fury

Introduction

Picture this: you wake up in a tiny little kingdom on an island, just minding your own business, and suddenly, BOOM! Vikings are crashing your beach party. Welcome to 'Bad North,' where strategic brilliance meets pixelated chaos! If you've ever dreamed of defending your home against marauding Norsemen with questionable fashion choices, look no further! Let's dive into this delightful strategy gem that puts the 'fun' back in 'fundamentally defending your kingdom,' shall we?

Gameplay

'Bad North' is akin to tossing a well-baked pie in the face of traditional real-time strategy games. You control your charmingly cute little commanders tasked with thwarting Vikings. These castles aren't at Disney World, and you'll need to act fast because these seafaring pillagers don't have 'please' and 'thank you' on their agenda. The islands are generated dynamically, which means no two invasions are ever the same. It's like having your cake and eating it too, until that mischievous Viking steals it right out of your hands! The combat is simple yet deeply engaging. You have units to command on various islands filled with homes (which you're supposed to protect). As those pesky Vikings sail in, characters made of pixels and dreams are thrown into the melee with torches and war cries. This isn't just a game about deflecting axes; it's about managing your resources. The more homes you lose, the fewer coins you earn for upgrades, which is basically the in-game equivalent of "If you don't do your chores, you can't have any dessert!" Want to spice things up? You can choose from various difficulty levels ranging from the "Oh, you'll be fine" Easy mode to the "Why are you doing this to yourself?" Very Hard mode. You lose a unit? Don't worry, just send the next pixelated hero to battle because who needs emotional attachments?*cue dramatic music* In terms of replayability, the generative aspect of the game means you'll find fresh challenges waiting in every corner. Every new run can result in utterly chaotic crossfires, great strategies, and epic failures that make you question your life choices-always a bonus in gaming!

Graphics

Visually, 'Bad North' is as charming as a puppy in a bowtie. The minimalistic art style makes it a treat for the eyes without overwhelming graphics cards. The adorable animations of your pixelated commanders are enough to make you go 'Aww' even while they're frantically running away from the villainous Vikings. The use of colors mixes bright and vibrant tones with a smooth aesthetic that feels right at home on the Switch, making you wish it was summer every time you boot it up! Why be a boring castle, when you can be a stylish castle defending against marauding pirates? #FashionGoals

Conclusion

'Bad North' successfully mixes strategic thinking with a lighthearted visual palette, making for a refreshingly fun experience. It balances difficulty with accessibility-perfect for both seasoned strategists and those still figuring out what 'RTS' stands for (Spoiler: it's not Really Terrible Skill!). If you're hankering for some strategic action while simultaneously giggling at Viking shenanigans, you'll do well to grab this quirky piece of pixel warfare! Who knew that pixelated soldiers fighting off pirates could evoke such a range of emotions-pride, defeat, and the utter joy of triumph? Grab your commander, rally your troops, and get ready to save your island in style-you wouldn't want your pixel friends to become barbecue; after all, who would serve them at the next video game picnic? Grab your Switch, select your commander, and prepare for DELIGHTFULLY chaotic strategy battles!

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