Raiders of the North Sea, designed by Shem Phillips and published by Garphill Games, is a fantastic worker-placement game that transports players to the Viking Age. The game is set in a bustling Viking village where players must gather resources, recruit a crew, and set sail to raid settlements for glory and riches. With its unique mechanics and immersive theme, Raiders of the North Sea has earned its place as our Game of the Month for February 2025, having also featured as number 31 in last year’s top 50 list.
At its core, Raiders of the North Sea is a worker-placement game with a twist. Players take turns placing and retrieving Viking meeples (I’ve seen them referred to as “vikeeples” but I really hate that name) to perform actions in the village or to raid settlements. The game ends when all the Valkyrie are removed from the board, most of the fortresses have been raided, or the chieftain’s offering pile has been depleted.
The village is the heart of the game, where players can gather resources, recruit crew members, and prepare for raids. Each turn, players place one Viking meeple on an available action space and then retrieve a different meeple to perform another action. This clever mechanic ensures that players must carefully plan their moves to maximize their efficiency. It can also be damn infuriating when opponents do not have the decency to plan their turns to benefit you. The swine!
Raiding is where the game really gets going. Players must meet certain conditions, such as having enough provisions and a strong enough crew, to raid settlements on the board. Raiding not only provides valuable plunder but also earns Victory Points. The further the settlement is from the village, the more resources are required, and the greater the potential rewards.
In terms of production values, Raiders of the North Sea boasts high-quality components, including beautifully illustrated cards, metal coins, and shaped wooden resources. The artwork by Mihajlo Dimitrievski adds to the game’s immersive experience, bringing the Viking world to life.
Raiders of the North Sea offers a rich blend of strategy and tactical decision-making. Players must balance their actions between gathering resources, recruiting crew, and raiding. The dynamic nature of the game ensures that no two plays are the same, keeping players engaged and challenged. I’ve certainly enjoyed the fact that you can take very different paths through the game. Some folks go heavy on raiding, whilst others chase offerings. I spent a long time in the last game building up my armory before venturing out to raid. It meant that it took me longer to get going, but once I did, I was able to target more difficult raids.
I feel that this game is a must-play for fans of worker-placement games and Viking enthusiasts alike. It’s also one of several excellent Garphill games, which share a common aesthetic and seem to be becoming their own subgenre. Its unique mechanics, stunning components, and engaging gameplay make it a standout title in any board game collection. Whether you play a lot of games, or are quite new to the hobby, Raiders of the North Sea offers an accessible, enjoyable, and unforgettable adventure on the high seas.
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No Rerolls 
It’s been a while for me. I need to play this one again soon
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