Gord (video game)

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.

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.^[3] The maps are procedurally generated.^[4] A limited number of villagers can start over in a new settlement after players complete all the goals for that map.^[5]

Team17 released Gord for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on August 17.^[6] The Alliance, downloadable content for Windows, is scheduled to be released on February 28, 2024. Among other additions, it includes a new campaign.^[7]

On Metacritic, Gord received mixed reviews for Windows and PlayStation 5.^{[8] [9]} 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".^[3] Though they liked the atmosphere, PC Gamer said it is "a thoroughly middling blend of city-building, survival gaming, and RTS".^[4] 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".^[10] 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.^[5]

• Official website