Initial release date: August 6, 2024
Developers: Crazy Viking Studios, Digital Eclipse
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Series: Volgarr the Viking
Publisher: Digital Eclipse
Genres: Platform game, Indie game, Fighting game, Adventure
Volgarr the Viking 2, like its sword, spear, and shield-wielding protagonist, comes from another era. This is a title that gives little of the leniency found in most current efforts. Instead, the game gives one of those masochistic thrashings that ’80s coin-ops like Ghosts ‘n Goblins used to dish out. Yes, perfectionism is required for advancement, just as it was in the past.
And if you’ve ever embarked on Sir Arthur’s perilous adventure, you’ll understand how important mastery of the character’s moveset is. Offensively, the gigantic Volgarr can wield his sword from both standing and crouching positions, and his lance is a devastating ranged weapon. When hurled at a wall, the javelin also serves as a platform for the Norseman to reach higher elevations.
Volgarr can navigate via a single or spinning-double leap. However, only the latter allows for some control over the character’s location while in the air. The Viking’s weaponry also includes a tough dodge-roll to perform in the heat of combat. However, when timed perfectly, the evasive maneuver can get you to safety.
Meet Your Instructor, Failure
If you missed Volgarr’s 2013 debut, you might look at screenshots and think it’s just another action-platformer. However, that assumption would not be totally accurate. Getting through Volgarr the Viking 2’s six stages isn’t about how effectively you can improvise when faced with a challenge.
Instead, the game is essentially a trial-and-error exercise. Volgarr will die if he misses the timing of a zombie torso flinging itself at him or notices a hovering explosive threat just in time. Success requires memorization as you repeat the same swings and jumps while using your expertise to avoid the adversaries, traps, and chasms that make up each level.
Capturing a Bit of Compassion
Fortunately, a single hit does not necessarily kill our brave Viking. Volgarr, like Sir Arthur, can acquire a variety of power-ups (boots, flame sword, belt, helmet, and green gems), each of which adds a new ability and allows you to survive more opponent strikes. This time around, there are more checkpoint runes across the longer stages.
When you die, you usually return to the one you last encountered. However, you might choose to destroy the rune to get a bonus. Furthermore, once you run out of your six lives and utilize a continue, Volgarr appears weaker. After the sixth continue, the viking turns into a corpse, vulnerable solely to falls. This is effectively the game’s undisclosed ‘novice mode’, which leads to the game’s worst ending. If you want to see one of the better results, you must start with a new save file. You didn’t expect Volgarr to be a pushover, did you?
If you’re unwilling to accept the penalties that come with Volgarr the Viking 2’s assistance, expect a high level of difficulty as you learn to deal with the myriad of hazards across each stage. Most likely, you will die hundreds of times. However, the one time you come out unscathed feels like crossing the finish line of a marathon. Others may not grasp the reasoning behind this huge attempt since they have not scoffed at the near-impossible.
Volgarr the Viking 2 was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 85%
Story – 70%
Aesthetics – 80%
Content – 75%
Accessibility – 65%
Value – 78%
Overall Rating – 77%
Solid
Summary: Some climb Mount Everest, while others swim across the English Channel. Volgarr the Viking 2, like its predecessor, presents a terrifying challenge, demanding you to recall the hundreds of various perils spread across six masochistic stages. This time around, there’s a novice mode, complete with some lighthearted humiliation. Just don’t expect to get into Valhalla easily.