This DLC is not only very good if you like vikings, it is also a very important and positive change from Paradox's DLC policy of old. Let me explain. This is a Viking DLC, there are new mechanics and events for people of Norse religion and/or culture, and there are also a lot of cosmetic features like the new Norse UI, music(absolute bangers by the way, but don't expect viking metal, it's much more folk and atmospheric), clothing, 3D models, essentially anything a Viking lover would wish for. Now, this seems very standard for a DLC, but not for a Paradox DLC, since if this were an old Paradox DLC this would also have some features available not only to the Vikings, but to everyone, forcing people into buying the DLC even if they didn't care about Vikings.
One example would be Jade Dragon. That is a DLC for CK2 that adds off-map China mechanics into the game. What, don't care about China? Too bad, the DLC also has rally points and new Casus Bellis available to everyone, so if you want them you must buy it. This sort of shady business practice was commonplace in the old DLC policy of Paradox and it's even present in Imperator: Rome, the most recent Paradox game after CK3, so I was positively surprised to see that this Flavour Pack doesn't have anything like that at all. I'd go as far as to say this is a prime example of how a DLC(flavour packs like this at least) should be made. Of course, we'll just have to see if they keep this up.
Oh, and most of the negative reviews are from people salty about DLC for no particular reason. This did come out with a very good free patch which brought new absolutely free features like winter, poetry and dueling. Even some things that Paradox could've rightfully made part of the Northern Lords (like new religious icons and Viking Coats of Arms and mottos) were also released for free, and since I already explained how this Flavour Pack is much more customer-friendly than what Paradox used to make I'm not sure what the haters are even mad about. Perhaps they'll explain their problem in the comment section, but most likely I'm just going to get called a shill ¯_(ツ)_/¯. One criticism people expressed is that all people became bald in save games from before the current patch, but that's a problem with the free update, not the DLC and the problem goes away after a few generations or if you start a new game anyway. The real sad thing is that old DNA strings also feature bald characters, so now I have a txt file with lots of bald characters' DNA, which is a bit annoying but again: this has nothing to do with the DLC, if this mild annoyance somehow completely ruined your game then your review belongs under the main game, not here. Other than that I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't recommend this(haven't even encountered any bugs), since even the price is very reasonable.
TL;DR in 3 points 1. Get this if you like Vikings, you'll love it. 2. Unlike old Paradox DLC there are no shady tactics used in order to sell this to as much people as possible. 3. Negative reviews are mostly people being salty about this DLC for no reason other than that it's a DLC. Don't worry about bald people.
From what I know so far the speeches activate this way: Peace in our Time- gets event Munich conference War with Germany- UK is at war with Germany Guns are Silent- Japan Capitulates Day in Infamy- Japan declares war with America Arsenal of Democracy- America finishes focus Arsenal of Democracy Order of the Day- Normandy is liberated (I think) Victory Parade- Germany capitulates and berlin is captured by soviets ([W-G] A Gamer) Fight on the Beaches- Germany takes Dunkerque Blood Toil Tears Sweat- Belgium capitulates Their Finest Hour- France capitulates I have Returned- Manila is liberated (I think) Warning to Japan- America researched nukes No Invincible Armies- Germany declares war on USSR (for me it happened like I think 1-2 months after) feel free to comment so that i can update this
Not as good as Crusader Kings 2 was in terms of content and "customization". I really dislike how they removed heirlooms, wonders, and societies. The complexity of the game has been lowered as well, you no longer have to manager naval units separately as all units embark with ships. The battle system is improved, but most players don't play at an advanced enough level for it to matter. The AI is much better and map fracturing is a lot cleaner. The inheretence system is better. The map detail is much improved.
Overall it's a good game but it is going to be a while before they add a lot of the great content CK2 had, back...and odds are we'll have to pay for it, which is ridiculous. The things this lacks have a strong impact to replay-ability.
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Only buy this on sale if you really REALLY want it. I got this on sale for $9... played without this DLC initially so I can confidently say that it adds very few big mechanics. Slightly improved papal/curia, HRE, and Defender of the Faith, and new Hegemonies feature. Oh and I can't forget that crushing rebels thingy??? Seems like a stretch to keep that behind a paywall...
I'm mainly posting this to hope they see what we really want first: a smoother game-play where the AI is actually competent without blatant advantages as the result of lazy code. Where they pay attention to the basics before release instead of slapping patches after. Yeah I understand there's gonna be some unforeseen bugs, but checking on the AI every so often shouldn't be difficult. Don't put the icing on before the cake. Please be more careful on Leviathan.
Overall these units are very pretty in-game, however the limited number of them is a bit worrying that there are only so many units. Despite the limited number of models they are relatively well spread, expecially in the Balkans. However, they are missing some nations for some packs, while others seem to be weirdly chosen.
Balkan Pack - This one is the best. The Wallachian units look absolutly amazing. The Bosnian units look pretty good and well spread among Croatia and Cilli, as well. As stated before Croatia uses Bosnia's units, which is a bit disapointing, considering that Croatia should have their own unique models. The Serbian units look pretty good and are also used by Albania and possibly Bulgaria. However, Greece and the Greek Minors are very disappointingly left out of this pack, which is the only detraction for this pack.
Beyond the Alps - These models once again look pretty good. Savoy's models are well spread out among their vassals and neighbors, ensuring that you WILL see them, either as Savoy, Sardinia-Piedmont, Montferrat, or Sulazzo. While Switzerland's models help Switzerland stand out even more. Yet, Sicily is very weird and odd choice. Unless-its used by the formable Two Sicilies, then it will an extremely rare sight.
The Unifiers - The description says "new units for large formables including Germany and Italy" however I'm not sure if it includes Scandinavia or any other formable in Europe such as Lotharingia.
It has to be said that PDX published this DLC in a most irresponsible manner. As others have said, it is a mess: bugs, crashes, unfinished information, assets not included, etc. They have released a patch today, but have taken out the apology thread where they admitted this complete fiasco. Why not wait to actually release it in an acceptable manner? Hugely disappointed and it goes to show how things are being done. It is very sad indeed.
It is difficult to come at this game from anything other than a nostalgic angle for me. I played this on my PS2 and I loved it. The story and artstyle captivated my little self and playing through this again now is a pleasant experience.
If there was ever a version of this game worth trying out I'd say this one is it. Here we have a really solid port of an old, quirky game with a real big heart. I personally can't recommend it enough.
So this is how liberty dies...with thunderous applause.
I know the patch that came with the DLC has some issues (that I hope will be addressed soon), specialy the weird 'wall' to pop growth... But this is a review about the DLC, not the patch.
The DLC is very good, I love that I can finaly go full Palpatine basically unite the galaxy by diplomacy. Or, of course, as fanatic xenophobe, just explode the galaxy.
Imho it's a good adition to an already amazing game.
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