Dead In Vinland

 PC
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. PC Gamer
    May 3, 2018
    71
    Dead in Vinland combines resource management, RPG combat, uneven writing, and a lot of diciness into something I couldn't stop playing until I finished it.
  2. CGMagazine
    Jul 16, 2018
    70
    Dead In Vinland tries to blend the best of multiple genres, but when combined those once worth-while features become a single idea that many times works, yet at others simply doesn’t.
  3. PC PowerPlay
    May 26, 2018
    70
    Not the greatest writing, but the game's many overlapping mechanics make for some great emergent storytelling. [Issue#271, p.54]
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  5. DarkStation
    May 4, 2018
    70
    At it's default difficulty, Dead in Vinland is a very challenging game, made up of many interconnected systems, each with the potential to create a fail state if not carefully managed. The combat is pretty simplistic and not as rewarding as simply keeping the characters alive day to day but in general, this is a game with a lot of depth. It's easy to die, and each replay becomes just a little less interesting, so I highly recommend playing through on the easy mode first.
  6. Meristation
    Aug 2, 2018
    65
    The imbalances in the difficulty and an excessively simplified combat makes Dead in Vinland an experience that could be better.
  7. CD-Action
    Jul 6, 2018
    65
    Multitude and diversity of interactions between characters are Dead in Vinland’s notable strengths but excessive impact of RNG on almost everything I did both disheartened me and robbed me of satisfaction. In addition random failures have negative effects on your characters, so you get caught in a spiral of hopelessness. The noose tightens. Despair knocks on your door. Death looks you in the eye. If you enjoy such pressure, give this Nordic tale a try. [06/2018, p.76]
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  8. GameGrin
    Jul 2, 2018
    65
    For some reason Dead In Vinland is weirdly addictive. I haven’t felt the urge to take just one more turn this strongly since the X-Com reboots. It’s deceptively easy to fall into a routine of assigning tasks, engaging in combat, managing characters’ needs, and exploring their backstories for hours on end. If nothing else, the game is good value for money. So, play it, I guess?
  9. GamingTrend
    Apr 12, 2018
    65
    Dead in Vinland is a challenging game with fun writing and hours of gameplay to keep you busy. However, repetitive gameplay and a slow-moving plot holds back what could have been a truly fantastic game.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Apr 13, 2018
    At its best, Dead in Vinland is compulsive, and a great example of systemic roguelike storytelling. Just be prepared to scratch your beard constantly at some baffling writing decisions. Or, be prepared to buy a fake beard, I guess. All Viking games should now come with beards. New rule. You heard it here first. Also, mead. And an axe. You’d think we’d be able to download axes by now.

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Most Shared PC Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 38
  3. Negative: 7 out of 38
  1. Zed59
    Apr 13, 2018
    9
    Really good survival management game !
    The setup is really simple, a family exiled on an island, trying to survive.
    But here is the thing:    Really good survival management game !
    The setup is really simple, a family exiled on an island, trying to survive.
    But here is the thing: all the possibilities are huge! You can customize your camp, you can fight, you can recruit other lads for your camp (or not, in order to keep more food for the family). I didn't played a lot for now, but wow..!    … Full Review »
  2. djjack
    Jul 8, 2022
    1
    Random-random-random-random This game is all about this. And this random works bad. Also battleas are just annoying - all time the sameRandom-random-random-random This game is all about this. And this random works bad. Also battleas are just annoying - all time the same without any strategy and without option to disable animation,… Full Review »
  3. Trey82
    Feb 13, 2020
    6
    Ya know, it isnt that this is a bad game.
    Its just that it isnt a great game.
    For every thing that it gets really right, like the feeling of    Ya know, it isnt that this is a bad game.
    Its just that it isnt a great game.
    For every thing that it gets really right, like the feeling of the sims management, and turning your vins (hah, The Vins 3: Vikings) into expert specialists over time, it hits a sour note with arbitrary debuffs and random problems.
    Keyword random. The random issues are the ones you should really avoid, but you cant. Because you have to explore. Because you have deadlines to meet. Because you have to keep bettering your group. Because you have wounds to heal, wood to gather, and...

    AND.. TINDER to barely find.
    Alright, why is tinder so dang hard to find? No I mean really, like single digits in a game where you could spend 50 hours just trying to keep your head above water.

    Which reminds me, if you are a normal human being who wants a challenge, you will STILL get it on the easy/casual difficulty. Random problems are fine, but its the 'story' events that it'll take you a few deaths to find a way around.

    Will you ragequit because of one or two wipes or starvings? No. That isnt to say there are definite reasons to ragequit, because being at the mercy of the randomness with no way to ensure success is really a problem. There are issues that require some odd skill expertise. There are not always indicators of what you are getting into. Will you get a few good items or a week of food BUT suffer a permanent scar or curse or... whatever the game throws at you? Yeah. You cant throw more people at the problem and solve it with common sense. You just have to 'roll the dice'.

    Which brings me to the 'minigames'. Watching meters, fighting bad guys, exploring the next square over, social settings, and trying out alternative methods of getting what you need.. (please, PLEASE dont go into the first few games expecting to live. Start a few projects and see how useful or useless each one is. Try the garden. ALWAYS keep someone scavenging. Dont be afraid to spam resources and WAIT to get that next character! Do you really want another mouth to feed?)

    It isnt bad, it isnt horribly challenging, but sometimes it is. And sometimes its bad.
    Better than 5 but not a 7. Sometimes a 4, sometimes an 8. This roller coaster has its low points, but dont let that keep you from dishing a few bucks for this.    … Full Review »
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