Expeditions: Viking - a game from the creators of Expeditions: Conquistador. The game has absorbed all the best from its predecessor while simultaneously shedding many of its shortcomings.
The creators of the game do not idealize the sea raiders from the north. The Vikings are presented here from a historical perspective. They are not gods or two-meter titans smashing everything in their path, and they do not kill dragons and other monsters. They are just as mortal as the Angles whom these Vikings raid. Their motives are quite mundane: to save their clan... but along the way, they can seize fame and gold from Christians for a worthy journey to Valhalla.
To win and lead your people to prosperity, you need to be not just a tough, muscular warrior; you need to become a cunning politician and a far-sighted ruler. Yes, politics here is far from the barbaric "my people kill your people and take your land," and people are not simple-minded men in bear skins. You will have to scheme, lie, deceive, and do everything for the benefit of your people. There have never been enough earthly goods for everyone, so it’s necessary to take these goods from others and share them… among your own.
And yes, remember, you are not in a fantasy world with kind elves and noble knights. Brutality is a normal thing here and sometimes the best option. Strike first, then figure out who and why. Enemies and traitors must be killed, not spared; otherwise, your own people will not understand you, and your opponents will wait for the moment and strike you in the back. Anyone who touches your honor must be punished! Anyone who has raised a sword against you must never raise it again!
Expeditions: Viking is a very atmospheric, bright, and memorable game. All characters are well-developed, possessing their own personalities and charisma (and hard-to-pronounce names). Every choice you make in the game will lead to specific consequences in the future. And although you are neither a god nor a king and cannot write the fate of the entire world, only you shape the destiny of your clan. And if you do everything right, your name will enter the legends, and your people will sing your praises for many centuries after your death in sagas!