There’s something so alluring about Norse mythology. Perhaps it’s the influence that TV shows like Vikings or movies such as Thor have had on popular culture, or it’s the idea of seemingly limitless freedom that ends in a good ol’ drinking session. Either way, games like Valheim and God of War are, in my opinion, special because of their setting and storylines versus their gameplay. Hoping to etch its name into videogame history is Aska, a survival game akin to Iron Gate’s magnum opus. Having launched in early access in June 2024, it’s performing pretty well on Steam, and its new Lakes and Outposts update presents the perfect opportunity to jump in.
In Aska you’re tasked with building a Viking settlement from the ground up. You’ll carve out your own patch of paradise then begin building, recruiting villagers to your cause who can help you tend to the land and gather resources. But you’re far from safe, and your newfound home will quickly become a target for the mysterious forces that lurk around you.
You’ll have to fend off unearthly foes as you expand your township, while simultaneously surviving the survival game’s ever-changing weather. The darkness often strikes when you’re at your weakest, so be on your guard.
Aska’s latest update, Lakes and Outposts, adds, well, lakes and outposts – who’d have thought? There’s a brand new lakeside biome that’s packed full of fish (both old and new species like catfish, perch, and pike), and there’ll be plenty of reeds lying around that are perfect for creating thatched buildings. Note that you’ll have to start a new save to try out this biome, as Sand Sailor can’t apply it retroactively.
In addition to glistening bodies of cool, clear water, the new update adds outposts that provide housing and work opportunities for your villagers. These structures offer you more management systems than ever before, letting you set up dedicated trade routes, create mining centers and fishing hamlets, and even build forward camps to fortify your defenses – you can even reinforce the walls to ensure that pesky undead and other fiends can’t claw their way through.
Each outpost comes with its own builder’s hut where you can manage your workers, and there’s a cooking house with new recipes for pies. These require eggs and water but, let’s be real, they’re absolutely worth it. Various improvements have been made to the game’s other structures, too, with everything from bloomery to metalworking getting tier-two upgrades.
There also are a variety of bug fixes, as well as AI and UI changes to help smooth out the experience. You can read all about those here.
Aska’s Lakes and Outposts update is available now, and the game is also participating in the Steam Spring Sale where it’s 35% off, or $16.24 / £13.64, until Thursday March 20. You can get Aska here.
If you’re also obsessed with that old Norse aesthetic (my surname gives a lot away), check out our list of the best Viking games. Alternatively, if you’d rather play something a little more magical, we’ve got a list of the best fantasy games.
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