Gord (video game)

Last updated
Gord
Gord (video game) cover.png
Developer(s) Covenant.dev
Publisher(s) Team17
Engine Unreal Engine [1]
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: August 17, 2023
Genre(s) Strategy
Mode(s) Single-player

Gord is a strategy video game developed by Covenant.dev and published by Team17. Players must manage a settlement under constant threat of attack by monsters. It combines elements of role-playing, real-time strategy, and city-building games.

Contents

Gameplay

A king who has conquered the southern lands in a dark fantasy world tasks players with establishing a gord (fortified settlement) in the northern lands. They must manage a settlement near a haunted forest occupied by demonic monsters inspired by Slavic mythology. Gameplay combines elements of role-playing, real-time strategy, and city-building games. Some of the monsters require players to complete tasks, such as fetch quests or sacrificing children. While building up the settlement, players have a limited amount of space to work within, necessitating decisions on what to build. Villagers have three meters: health, sanity, and faith. Villagers die if they run out of health in combat; sanity loss from the horror of their conditions can cause them to make poor decisions; and spells become unavailable if their faith drops too low. During combat, players control the villagers like in a real-time strategy game. [2] The maps are procedurally generated. [3] A limited number of villagers can start over in a new settlement after players complete all the goals for that map. [4]

Development

Team17 released Gord for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on August 17. [5]

Reception

On Metacritic, Gord received mixed reviews for Windows and PlayStation 5. [6] [7] IGN called it "as miserable as its downtrodden villagers" and criticized what they felt were "monotonous micromanagement, a poor interface, and by-the-numbers combat". [2] Though they liked the atmosphere, PC Gamer said it is "a thoroughly middling blend of city-building, survival gaming, and RTS". [3] Rock Paper Shotgun similarly described it as "detailed and moody" but said it is "a disappointing game that fails to capture the appeal of any of its component genres". [8] GamesRadar also enjoyed Gord's atmosphere and said it has a strong start. However, they felt it becomes repetitive and can not compete against the many city-building games available today. [4]

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References

  1. "Over 80 Unreal Engine-powered games featured during 2022 summer gaming events". Unreal Engine . 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  2. 1 2 Bolding, Jon (2023-08-15). "Gord Review". IGN . Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  3. 1 2 Lane, Rick (2023-08-15). "Gord review". PC Gamer . Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  4. 1 2 Barnes, Adam (2023-08-15). "Gord review: "It ends up feeling a little futile"". GamesRadar . Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  5. Tan, Nick (2023-07-24). "Gord is the Darkest Dungeon of colony sims". Shacknews . Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  6. "Gord (PC)". Metacritic . Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  7. "Gord (PS5)". Metacritic . Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  8. Vega, Sin (2023-08-15). "Gord review: fertile ground covered in stagnant water, also swamps". Rock Paper Shotgun . Retrieved 2023-08-15.