This comparison discusses difficulty, permanent commander deaths, blood, and violence. Bad North is single-player and does not offer a multiplayer mode in the cited storefront listings.
Fast answer
The answer before the background
For a normal purchase, choose Bad North: Jotunn Edition. It contains the original Bad North experience and adds the games definitive content and systems at no extra expansion cost. The standard version is mainly relevant as the historical pre-Jotunn release. If a platform lists only Bad North, do not assume it is missing the update: PlayStation currently uses that shorter product name, while the developer identifies Jotunn Edition as the expanded version. Check the product details or installed patch information before buying twice. (badnorth.com )
Verdict
Bad North Jotunn Edition vs standard: the short version
The original Bad North is a compact real-time tactics roguelite about defending procedurally generated islands from Viking attacks. Jotunn Edition keeps that core structure intact rather than replacing it with a different campaign or genre. Its purpose is to expand the decision-making around each run and improve several systems that could feel opaque or punishing in the earlier release. (badnorth.com )
The developer describes Jotunn Edition as a free content expansion. That makes the comparison unusually simple: the standard build is the earlier baseline, while Jotunn is the more complete version. For a first playthrough, there is little practical reason to choose the older ruleset unless you specifically want to study or preserve the pre-2.00 game. (badnorth.com )
- Best overall: Jotunn Edition.
- Best for the original historical ruleset: standard Bad North.
- Best value: whichever current store listing includes the Jotunn update; do not pay for the same game twice.
- Best for a returning player: update an existing installation before starting a new campaign.
| Comparison point | Standard Bad North | Jotunn Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Core campaign and island defense | Yes | Yes |
| Four additional items | No in the pre-2.00 baseline | Yes: Mines, Jabena, Philosophers Stone, and Holy Grail |
| Commander passive traits | No | Yes; the patch notes specify 13 small passive buffs |
| Codex and starting-loadout unlocks | No | Yes |
| New enemy type | No | Yes; swift dual-wielding Vikings |
| Checkpoint islands and optional replayable levels | No | Yes |
| Very Hard difficulty | No | Yes, unlocked after Hard |
| Shared gold bank and economy changes | No | Yes |
| Price relationship | Original purchase | Announced as a free expansion/update |
A store page saying only “Bad North” is not automatically proof that it is the old version. The current PlayStation page uses the shorter name, while the Xbox and Steam pages explicitly say “Bad North: Jotunn Edition.” Use the platforms update details, description, or support information if the label is unclear. (store.steampowered.com )
What changes
Why Jotunn Edition is more than a name change
Jotunn Edition adds four items that can reshape a run: Mines, Jabena, Philosophers Stone, and Holy Grail. It also gives commanders passive traits and lets you unlock starting items and traits through the Codex. These additions make the campaign less dependent on discovering useful tools at exactly the right moment, while also creating more build combinations. (badnorth.com )
The campaign layer receives the most visible quality-of-life changes. Checkpoint islands provide a reset point, and a new option allows replayable levels instead of enforcing the earlier all-or-nothing approach for every campaign. Very Hard difficulty gives experienced players a tougher target after completing Hard. These are meaningful changes for both new players learning the system and veterans looking for more challenge. (badnorth.com )
The patch also changes the economy and combat behavior. Gold moves into a shared bank, total campaign gold becomes more controlled, several abilities are rebalanced, a new enemy replaces the old red-shielded type, and many units receive targeting, retreat, formation, or collision improvements. This means a Jotunn run is not simply the standard game with extra collectibles; some tactical outcomes and resource decisions differ as well. (badnorth.com )
- If you value build variety, choose Jotunn.
- If you dislike irreversible campaign losses, use replayable levels or checkpoint features when starting a new campaign.
- If you want the original balance for a challenge comparison, the standard version is the cleaner baseline.
- If you are returning after a long break, reread the upgrade and campaign systems instead of relying on old guides.
Buying guide
How to choose the right listing on your platform
1. Prefer an explicitly named Jotunn Edition listing when one is available. Steam identifies the product as Bad North: Jotunn Edition, and Xbox does the same. The official developer site also presents Jotunn Edition as the version available across PC, console, and mobile platforms. (badnorth.com )
2. If the store says only Bad North, inspect the description and release/update information. Nintendos current page uses “Bad North” while describing the same core game, and PlayStations page also uses the shorter title. The public store names therefore are not perfectly consistent across platforms. (nintendo.com )
3. Check for separate cosmetic extras. PlayStation lists a Bad North Portraits Pack as an add-on. That is not the same thing as the Jotunn gameplay update, so do not buy a portraits or deluxe-style add-on expecting the four items, traits, or campaign systems. The available official page confirms the add-on exists but does not establish that it replaces Jotunn content. (store.playstation.com )
4. On mobile, verify the store description and version information before purchase. The developer said the mobile release would include the Jotunn updates, touch controls, and controller support, but storefront packaging can vary by operating system and region. (badnorth.com )
- New player: buy the current, clearly supported listing.
- Existing owner: update first; Jotunn was distributed as a free expansion on supported platforms.
- Physical-copy buyer: check the publisher, platform, and included update status rather than assuming every disc or cartridge uses identical packaging.
- Second-hand buyer: confirm that the game can still download its platform update before relying on the older label.
The cited official pages do not provide one universal current build number for every platform, nor do they prove that every physical release has identical packaging. When a store page is ambiguous, treat the platforms own update history or publisher support page as authoritative.
Decision criteria
Which version fits your play style?
Pick Jotunn Edition if you want the strongest all-around recommendation. The extra items and traits add variety, the Codex makes discoveries easier to track, and checkpoint or replay options let you tune how punishing a campaign feels. The new Very Hard mode also gives the expanded version a clearer long-term challenge. (badnorth.com )
Pick the standard version only for a specific reason: you are comparing the original release, testing old strategy advice, collecting historical versions, or deliberately want the pre-expansion economy and combat behavior. It is not the better default for a first-time player.
For alternatives, think in terms of the experience you want rather than a different edition. If you want a more forgiving run, enable replayable levels instead of abandoning Jotunn. If you want a harder run, progress toward Very Hard. If you want a portable session, the developer lists Switch and mobile versions, but confirm the exact platform listing and controls before purchase. (badnorth.com )
- More variety and accessibility: Jotunn Edition with checkpoints or replayable levels.
- Maximum pressure: Jotunn Edition on Very Hard after unlocking it.
- Historical comparison: the standard pre-2.00 build.
- Portable play: a current Switch or mobile listing, after checking regional store details.
Practical check
A safe way to avoid buying the wrong version
Before starting, compare the in-game menus with the Jotunn patch features. A Jotunn installation should expose the added systems described by the developer, including the Codex, commander traits, and the newer campaign options. If those are absent, check for an available update or contact the platform publisher before purchasing another copy. This menu-based check is more reliable than the product title alone because official storefront naming differs. (badnorth.com )
Also remember that Jotunn changes balance. A guide written for the original economy, Warhammer behavior, enemy roster, or campaign flow may not transfer exactly. Prefer guides that identify their version, and treat unversioned advice as potentially outdated rather than assuming it is wrong.
- Look for the Codex.
- Look for commander traits and starting loadout options.
- Look for checkpoint and replayable-level settings when creating a campaign.
- Confirm that your advice or save file comes from the same broad version family.
- Do not confuse cosmetic portraits or deluxe extras with the Jotunn gameplay update.
FAQ
Common questions
Is Bad North: Jotunn Edition a sequel?
No. It is a free content expansion and update to Bad North. It keeps the same island-defense campaign and adds systems, content, balance changes, and quality-of-life features. (badnorth.com )
Is Jotunn Edition better than standard Bad North?
For almost every new player, yes. It is the expanded version with four new items, commander traits, a Codex, a new enemy, checkpoint islands, replayable levels, Very Hard difficulty, and other changes. Choose standard only when you specifically want the pre-2.00 experience.
Does Jotunn Edition include the original game?
Yes in practical terms: it is presented as an expansion/update to the original Bad North rather than a separate campaign. Steam and Xbox sell it as the main Bad North product, while the developer describes the update as free. (badnorth.com )
Why does PlayStation call it just Bad North?
The current PlayStation product page uses the shorter Bad North name. Because official storefront names differ, the title alone cannot establish whether a listing is the old build. Check the pages update information or the installed games menus. (store.playstation.com )
Should I buy a Portraits Pack or deluxe add-on for Jotunn content?
No. The PlayStation page lists the Portraits Pack separately, while the developers Jotunn feature list concerns gameplay additions such as items, traits, and campaign options. Treat cosmetic add-ons as separate purchases unless the store explicitly bundles them. (badnorth.com )
Sources
What we checked
Official listings establish current availability and product facts. Community pages are used for mechanics and build history, then labeled separately.
- OfficialPatch 2.00: Jotunn Edition — official developer patch notes
- OfficialBad North — official game site and platform list
- OfficialBad North: Jotunn Edition — Steam store page
- OfficialBad North: Jotunn Edition — Xbox store page
- OfficialBad North — PlayStation Store page
- OfficialBad North — Nintendo Switch official store page