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Bad North: Jotunn Edition similar games & best alternatives

Bad North: Jotunn Edition

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, Nintendo Switch • 2018

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Quick resume

Bad North is a charming but brutal real-time tactics roguelite. Defend your idyllic island kingdom against a horde of Viking invaders, as you lead the desperate exodus of your people. Command your loyal subjects to take full tactical advantage of the unique shape of each island.

Global score

93/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Simple yet deep tactical gameplay
    • Beautiful minimalist art and sound design
    • Accessible for newcomers with challenging higher difficulties
    • Procedurally generated islands increase variety
    • Good value especially on sale

    Cons

    • Limited content and replayability after multiple runs
    • No multiplayer or social features
    • Some players find late game difficulty spike harsh
    • Minimal character customization and narrative depth
    • Lack of quality of life features like better ui info

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to make diverse political and economic decisions, customize their leader, and choose strategies for island management."

      Capsule for Tropico Reloaded Tropico Reloaded

      "Players have control over unit deployment, positioning, and strategic decisions on each island, with freedom to adapt tactics."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game offers challenging tactical scenarios requiring skillful use of units and strategic planning."

      Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon

      "The game offers challenging tactical depth, requiring skillful unit management and strategic planning, especially at higher difficulties."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on solo play and personal progress; no multiplayer or ranked modes mentioned."

      Capsule for Alien Shooter Alien Shooter

      "Focus is on solo play and personal progression; no multiplayer or ranked modes mentioned."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      2

      "Players report replayability through multiple endings, hard modes, and unlockables, encouraging repeated play sessions."

      Capsule for Obscure Obscure

      "Players report replayability through multiple runs and unlocking traits/items, though some find content limited after several playthroughs."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "The game is single-player only with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

      Capsule for 永远消失的幻想乡 ～ The Disappearing of Gensokyo 永远消失的幻想乡 ～ The Disappearing of Gensokyo

      "The game is single-player only with no cooperative multiplayer or team-based mechanics."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      2

      "Some creativity in tactical decisions and commander strategies; limited character customization."

      Capsule for Natural Selection 2 Natural Selection 2

      "Some tactical creativity in unit positioning and strategy, but limited by fixed unit classes and predefined mechanics."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of dominating others; gameplay is solo and cooperative social dominance is absent."

      Capsule for Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

      "No evidence of dominating others; gameplay is individual and cooperative social dominance is absent."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      3

      "Players immerse themselves in a harsh fictional Viking survival setting to escape real life."

      Capsule for Dead In Vinland Dead In Vinland

      "Players describe immersion in the Viking-themed world and emotional engagement as a form of escape."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and challenge, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for Fae Tactics Fae Tactics

      "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and challenge, with no indication of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players experiment with different unit combinations, tactics, and scenario designs."

      Capsule for Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon Warhammer 40,000: Armageddon

      "Players experiment with different unit combinations, island tactics, and item/trait synergies."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      2

      "Procedurally generated islands provide some novelty and discovery"

      Capsule for ISLANDERS ISLANDERS

      "Procedurally generated islands provide some variety and discovery, though environments are small and limited."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      -4

      "Minimal character customization; focus is on gameplay rather than avatar personalization."

      Capsule for Titan Souls Titan Souls

      "Minimal character customization or cosmetic expression; focus is on gameplay rather than avatar personalization."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "Set in a fictional Viking world with mythological elements and narrative fiction."

      Capsule for Dead In Vinland Dead In Vinland

      "Set in a stylized Viking fantasy world with heroic narratives and imaginative combat scenarios."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary without shared group identity."

      Capsule for Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2

      "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary without shared group identity."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop skills and knowledge of builds and mechanics, with metaprogression and unlocks."

      Capsule for Goobies Goobies

      "Players develop skills and knowledge of unit interactions and strategies; some meta-progression through unlocks."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; typical sedentary gaming experience."

      Capsule for Total Tank Simulator Total Tank Simulator

      "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; typical sedentary gaming experience."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and strategic decision making; not suited for idle or background play."

      Capsule for SolForge Fusion SolForge Fusion

      "Requires focused attention and strategic decision-making; not suited for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship building; interactions are limited to game mechanics."

      Capsule for Grim Nights Grim Nights

      "No social or emotional relationship-building features; interactions are limited to game mechanics."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players lead their squad and manage upgrades and strategies, acting as commanders."

      Capsule for Super Robot Wars 30 Super Robot Wars 30

      "Players lead and manage up to four commanders and their squads, making strategic decisions and upgrades."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      3

      "Players accumulate weapons, items, and unlock cosmetic upgrades; campaign progression unlocks new challenges."

      Capsule for I am not a Monster: First Contact I am not a Monster: First Contact

      "Progression through unlocking items, traits, and upgrading commanders; campaign advancement unlocks new challenges."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      1

      "Some players find it relaxing, but gameplay can be tense and challenging"

      Capsule for Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition

      "Some players find the game relaxing and aesthetically pleasing, though gameplay can be tense and challenging."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Enjoyable visual style and sound design provide pleasant sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for Kingdoms and Castles Kingdoms and Castles

      "Enjoyable visual style and sound design provide sensory pleasure and emotional engagement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

      Capsule for The Painscreek Killings The Painscreek Killings

      "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "Minimal narrative with some lore and atmosphere; story is light and underdeveloped but present."

      Capsule for Source of Madness Source of Madness

      "Minimal narrative with some lore and atmosphere; story is subtle and emergent rather than explicit."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around planning, positioning, and tactical problem solving."

      Capsule for Shogun Showdown: Prologue Shogun Showdown: Prologue

      "Core gameplay revolves around strategic planning, tactical positioning, and problem solving."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Players experience suspense and tension from challenging battles and risk of defeat."

      Capsule for Order of Battle: World War II Order of Battle: World War II

      "Players experience suspense and tension during battles, especially on higher difficulties and late game."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Generally considered good value especially on sale; praised for art and atmosphere relative to price."

      Capsule for Apocalipsis Apocalipsis

      "Generally considered good value for time and money, especially on sale; praised for quality and polish."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat and fighting are central, with stylized violence and destruction as key gameplay elements."

      Capsule for Punch Club 2: Fast Forward Punch Club 2: Fast Forward

      "Combat and defeating Viking enemies is central; stylized violence is part of the core experience."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      4

      "Strong survival elements with resource management, avoiding damage, and overcoming threats."

      Capsule for Blazing Beaks Blazing Beaks

      "Strong survival elements with permanent unit loss and resource management under threat from enemies."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Cooperation, Fellowship.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026