"Forge alliances, build a settlement, and exact vengeance in a gritty 9th-century Norway."
Updates & Events
NORSE: Oath of Blood - 15% OFF on Steam
NORSE: Oath of Blood is currently featured on the Steam store!
About
NORSE: Oath of Blood is a grounded turn-based tactics RPG that eschews fantasy tropes for historical authenticity. You guide Gunnar, an exiled warrior, through a brutal cycle of settlement management, exploration, and grid-based combat. Blending XCOM-style strategy with a deep narrative penned by acclaimed author Giles Kristian, every choice carries the weight of survival.
Story
Following the murder of his father, Jarl Gripr, by the rival chieftain Steinarr Far-Spear, Gunnar is cast into exile with the remnants of his clan. In the unforgiving landscapes of Viking-Age Norway, you must rebuild your community from a mud-soaked camp to a fortified stronghold. The narrative weaves a complex tapestry of oaths, grudges, and clan politics, where personal tragedies fuel a burning path toward vengeance.
Gameplay
The core loop alternates between three pillars: managing a growing settlement, exploring a 3D overworld, and engaging in tense tactical battles. Combat is grid-based and lethal, utilizing action points, elevation, and environmental hazards like deep snow or mud. The unique 'At the Gates of Valhalla' mechanic allows downed units to fight on borrowed time, risking permanent death for a final chance at glory.
Key Features
- 1**Tactical Grid Combat**: Master elevation, flanking, and terrain hazards in high-stakes turn-based battles.
- 2**Settlement Management**: Assign craftspeople and farmers to rebuild your home, impacting your warband's gear and morale.
- 3**Gates of Valhalla System**: A risk-reward mechanic where dying warriors can keep fighting but face permanent death if hit again.
- 4**Authored Narrative**: A branching saga written by bestselling novelist Giles Kristian (Raven, The Rise of Sigurd).
- 5**Class Synergies**: diverse unit classes with unique skill trees that encourage strategic chaining of abilities.
- 6**Authentic Setting**: No fantasy monsters—just the harsh reality of 9th-century Norwegian warfare and survival.
Highlights
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Incredible historical authenticity grounded in museum research
- +High-stakes combat with meaningful permadeath mechanics
- +Excellent atmospheric soundtrack featuring ritualistic pagan folk
- +Rich narrative depth rarely seen in tactical strategy games
Cons
- -Launch period plagued by technical bugs and glitches
- -Steep learning curve for players new to tactical RPGs
- -Performance issues reported on mid-range hardware
Game Ratings
Complex AP system with terrain and flanking mastery
Immersive audio and authentic historical visuals
Branching revenge saga by a professional author
Launch technical issues and bugs present
Detailed settlement building and resource loops
Who Will Enjoy This?
Fans of XCOM seeking a new grid-based challenge
Players who value historical accuracy over fantasy
Those looking for a mature, authored story
Similar To
Combat Mechanics
XCOM 2
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Theme & Tone
The Banner Saga
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Setting
Expeditions: Viking
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đź’ˇ Did You Know?
The story is written by Giles Kristian, a bestselling author known for the 'Raven' saga.
The soundtrack features 'Galdorcræft', using authentic instruments like ritual drums and throat singing.
Developers Arctic Hazard visited real Norwegian archaeological sites to ensure visual fidelity.
The 'Glima' injury system means non-hero units can suffer permanent death, erasing their unique backstories forever.
Latest Updates & Events
NORSE: Oath of Blood - 15% OFF on Steam
NORSE: Oath of Blood is currently featured on the Steam store!
Scores
“A gritty, grounded take on the Viking fantasy that makes every loss feel personal.”— Game Description
“Vikings as they might have been—cold, gritty, with individual backstories making losses personal.”— Developer Diary
Game Ratings
Complex AP system with terrain and flanking mastery
Immersive audio and authentic historical visuals
Branching revenge saga by a professional author
Launch technical issues and bugs present
Detailed settlement building and resource loops
Who Will Enjoy This?
Fans of XCOM seeking a new grid-based challenge
Players who value historical accuracy over fantasy
Those looking for a mature, authored story
Similar To
đź’ˇ Did You Know?
The story is written by Giles Kristian, a bestselling author known for the 'Raven' saga.
The soundtrack features 'Galdorcræft', using authentic instruments like ritual drums and throat singing.
Developers Arctic Hazard visited real Norwegian archaeological sites to ensure visual fidelity.
The 'Glima' injury system means non-hero units can suffer permanent death, erasing their unique backstories forever.
Latest Updates & Events
NORSE: Oath of Blood - 15% OFF on Steam
NORSE: Oath of Blood is currently featured on the Steam store!
Timeline
The Three Loops
NORSE is defined by three distinct gameplay loops that feed into one another. 1. **Settlement**: Build smithies and armories to gear up. 2. **Exploration**: Traverse the 3D overworld to find resources and quests. 3. **Combat**: Deploy your custom warband in high-stakes tactical battles.
Authentic Sound
“The audio eschews orchestral swells for dark pagan neo-folk, utilizing throat singing and ritual drums to create a haunting, primal atmosphere.”
Game Details
- Developer
- Arctic Hazard
- Publisher
- Tripwire Presents
- Platforms
- PC
- Genres
- RPG, Strategy +1
- Atmosphere
- intense