The beloved Viking settlement builder Aska just keeps getting better and better. Developer Sand Sailor Studio has introduced the highly requested villager party system, along with additional buildings, new enemies, and many improvements to the game.

The Proud Chieftain’s House has grown stronger and gained a coat of paint along with access to the new party system. From its yard you can add villagers to your group and take them on an adventure. They will fight by your side, carry supplies and even gather resources on command. Just remember they need food and rest to keep up with your orders.

New building options are now available alongside the established tier-two structures. The armorsmith now stands alone as the place to forge your protection. Its first stage handles linen and leather pieces while the upgraded armorsmith shifts its focus to metal armor. A leather scrap glove joins the roster of wearable gear and offers better defense against the elements.

Animal lovers will welcome the sturdier kennel that can also bear a splash of color and give your village dogs a home more fitting of their loyalty. The healing house joins plank and thatch buildings with a fresh look and strong walls to keep your wounded safe. Merchants gain an improved market that supports three workers and three carts all under one roof. This change speeds up construction and saves on cost compared with building three separate carts.

Fuel use has been rethought across all structures that burn wood and other materials. You will now find a task menu in each building that grants precise control over which type of fuel to burn first. The improved charcoal maker lets you turn many resources into coal and set burning priorities by ordering fuel types in the list.

Fishing has taken on a new importance with the arrival of fish blubber. You can cook blubber into fish oil at the cooking house and use it in lanterns and runestones instead of resin.

Scouts have spotted tougher foes roaming the ruins. Skeletons and draugr now wield ancient warhammers, battle axes and bows. You can recover these weapons from fallen enemies and study them at the tinkerer’s table. This curious device breaks the item into scraps and reveals hidden crafting recipes for reforged ancient versions that outmatch regular iron tools.

Artists and tailors will find painting simpler than ever. Clothing can be dyed right from the inventory and buildings can be coated with paint in just a few clicks. Finally, armor and clothing now wear down with use. This change ensures that you will always need to produce new gear and keep your villagers well dressed for the challenges ahead.

With all these additions to Aska, this may be a great time to revisit the game, especially if you are a solo player who wants to explore the world with your NPC followers.