Nidhogg

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,925 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Nidhogg Game Cover
A brilliant marriage of mechanics, level design and music that will be played and talked about for years to come.
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"Nidhogg is a local multi-player fighting game for 2 players, filled with fast-paced fencing and melee combat. Victory comes from a series of kills, allowing you to advance towards your opponent's goal-zone. With its stunning visuals, hilarious gameplay, and numerous arenas, Nidhogg offers a highly replayable and unique experience."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,925 reviews
gameplay212 positive mentions
story5 negative mentions
  • gameplay454 mentions

    The gameplay of Nidhogg is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, allowing for fast-paced, competitive sword fighting that is easy to learn but difficult to master. Players appreciate the depth and strategic elements that emerge from its minimalist design, making it a highly enjoyable experience, especially in local multiplayer settings. However, some reviewers note the limited content and repetitive nature of the gameplay, suggesting that while the core mechanics are solid, the game could benefit from more variety and depth.

    • “The gameplay initially seems fairly simple, but has a surprising amount of nuance and counterplay as you learn the mechanics, and the visuals are also simplistic, but are highly stylized and really sell the gritty, weird nature of this game.”
    • “Its simple yet addictive gameplay encourages creative strategies in every duel.”
    • “The core gameplay is easy to pick up, but there is plenty to learn and good variety in play.”
    • “The gameplay is unpolished, the controls are badly designed, the balance feels off, and the software is not the best.”
    • “There aren't many levels or too much combat depth, so things get boring after a bit, but the controls and gameplay are solid.”
    • “Nidhogg's gameplay is fast-paced, fair, and rewards creativity and skill.”
  • graphics242 mentions

    The graphics of Nidhogg are characterized by a minimalist, retro pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for classic arcade games, particularly from the Atari era. While some players appreciate the charm and simplicity of the visuals, others find them lacking in detail and complexity. Overall, the graphics effectively complement the game's fast-paced, competitive gameplay and unique mechanics, making it a fun experience despite their simplicity.

    • “The game feels like a trip a lot of the times with the combination of some map visuals and the almost surreal soundtrack playing in the background, almost as if the whole game takes place in a weird dream or some psychedelic adventure.”
    • “The visuals and soundtrack are incredible.”
    • “The art style and music perfectly complement the gameplay of Nidhogg.”
    • “The graphics are not impressive, but that should be obvious from the screenshots.”
    • “The barebones graphics are bland rather than charming; the levels repeat (3 levels).”
    • “Knowing this and seeing low-quality graphics, the lack of digital controller support, and bugs all over the place, I cannot recommend this game at $15 or even at its sale price.”
  • music170 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its surreal and captivating quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Composed by Daedelus, the soundtrack features a mix of electronic and catchy tunes that complement the game's minimalist art style and fast-paced combat, although some players note that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's unique vibe and enjoyment.

    • “The game feels like a trip a lot of the times with the combination of some map visuals and the almost surreal soundtrack playing in the background, almost as if the whole game takes place in a weird dream or some psychedelic adventure.”
    • “The art style and soundtrack combine to create a wonderful setting while you master the in-depth combat.”
    • “Daedelus' musical score for the game shines surprisingly bright; in tandem with the trippy stage backgrounds, the tracks create a very surreal and otherworldly experience that I would never have expected from the game, but I find the atmosphere highly captivating.”
    • “I dislike this game purely for its horrible art style and music.”
    • “There are only 4 levels, two characters, and the same pieces of music over and over again.”
    • “The sound track to doing this back and forth nonsense is very repetitive and uninspiring.”
  • humor148 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players highlighting its hilarious animations, chaotic multiplayer interactions, and the absurdity of its combat mechanics. Many reviews emphasize that the game shines brightest in local multiplayer settings, where spontaneous moments of skill and failure lead to uncontrollable laughter and memorable experiences. Overall, it is regarded as a fun and entertaining party game that guarantees a good time, especially when played with friends.

    • “The game can get hilarious, as the animations are pretty funny since they are so simple and the combination with the possibility of being able to do crazy plays or tricks plus the addition of you screaming at your friend and chasing them with a sword, I think this game deserves a try.”
    • “Playing this with friends is absolutely hilarious and can result in some great memories and gameplay.”
    • “The combat works well strategically, but more notably can produce some hilarious moments.”
  • replayability36 mentions

    The game's replayability is highly dependent on the multiplayer experience, with many players finding it endlessly enjoyable when played with friends. However, the single-player mode is often criticized for its limited replay value, leading to mixed opinions on overall replayability. While some players praise the game's fun mechanics and fast-paced nature, others note a lack of variety and content that can diminish long-term engagement.

    • “With the race, dueling, and tournament modes just in PvP, the replay value here is nigh endless.”
    • “Truly one of a kind and infinitely replayable.”
    • “Easily the best sword-play mechanics I've seen to date, with a lot of replayability, as each game can be as quick as 2 minutes, or as long as 20, and a new opponent will be along for you to run into their sword within minutes.”
    • “Couldn't really find the replay value.”
    • “There are other local party games which have way more replayability and the single player experience is also very limited.”
    • “However, the replayability of the game is limited, as there are only four maps and the online multiplayer is a bit rough around the edges, and once you beat the singleplayer campaign you need friends who enjoy playing it as much as you do.”
  • story33 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for being minimal or nonexistent, with many players expressing a desire for a more developed narrative or story mode. While some appreciate the gameplay mechanics and find enjoyment in multiplayer experiences, others feel that the lack of a cohesive story detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as fun and challenging, but it may not satisfy those looking for a rich narrative.

    • “I like the controls, the storyline, and the fact that it's really challenging.”
    • “Great storyline, lots of depth and things to do, and plenty of stabbing.”
    • “Intricate mechanics, steady challenge progression, captivating story and writing, truly beautiful ending and art style that complements the gameplay perfectly.”
    • “The story is practically nonexistent, but each enemy you face uses a different strategy.”
    • “This game does not have any story of any kind.”
    • “The only thought that I had after I finished the game was: 'there should definitely be a story mode for this game, rather than just plain duels.'”
  • stability30 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of persistent bugs and glitches affecting both single-player and multiplayer modes. Players experience issues such as freezing, lag, and desynchronization, particularly in online matches, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. While some users note that local multiplayer can be enjoyable, the overall impression is that the game feels unfinished and plagued by technical problems.

    • “No glitches; both multiplayer and solo AI are of decent quality.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major issues.”
    • “I appreciate the consistent performance, whether I'm playing online or offline.”
    • “The integrity with which it was marketed was questionable; the 'developer support' consistently and fully deserving of quotation marks release: widely known and lamented glitches never could move the person to do the work required for their fixing.”
    • “If you want a quick review: don't buy this game for the singleplayer: it's buggy, unrewarding, unsatisfying and extremely unfair and irritating.”
    • “The online multiplayer is not just laggy / slightly buggy / as you'd expect from an 'indie' title - it is outright broken.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while single-player runs smoothly with high framerates, multiplayer suffers significantly from lag and low performance, even on high-end systems. Users report that network issues and poor optimization make multiplayer nearly unplayable, with performance heavily dependent on the host's connection. Overall, the game shows promise but is hindered by its multiplayer optimization challenges.

    • “The controls take a while to get used to or to find what you like, but after that learning curve, the game runs smoothly and is a lot of fun to play either with a friend or against the single player campaign.”
    • “It was an absolutely fantastic performance.”
    • “Runs smoothly and can bring either rage or joy to anyone with its simplistic controls!”
    • “However, the multiplayer is often unplayable due to lag issues that result from poor optimization, which is a significant negative.”
    • “We only live two hours apart and we both have extremely fast internet speeds (50mb+), yet the lag was so bad that whoever wasn't hosting literally had no chance of winning due to stuttering and lag issues in the game.”
    • “Depending on who is the host determines who gets a seamless performance; if you're the client, then you will experience the worst latency and detection possible.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, describing it as an emotional roller coaster that evokes a wide range of feelings, from joy to sadness. Many highlight the game's ability to resonate with personal fantasies and experiences, making it a memorable and impactful experience. Overall, the emotional engagement is a significant aspect that enhances the game's appeal.

    • “I have a weird emotional tie to this game.”
    • “It was an emotional roller coaster; I couldn't handle it.”
    • “10/10 would cry again.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its competitive tension and engaging gameplay, enhanced by a captivating musical score and unique visual design. Players appreciate the blend of simple yet exciting graphics with a surreal, otherworldly experience, creating an extraordinary ambiance that elevates the overall gameplay. The combination of quality combat and immersive elements contributes to a thrilling and memorable atmosphere.

    • “I love the gameplay, atmosphere, and music; they are all great selling points for this game.”
    • “For such a simple concept, the game has amazing atmosphere, quality combat, and an overall extraordinary gameplay experience.”
    • “The uniquely realized concept simplifies the oft-debated 'right of way' that plagues fencing judges and participants alike, adding to the atmosphere of this being Atari fencing, while the addition of throwing one's sword and buckets of pixelated blood makes you realize it's anything but.”
    • “Daedelus' musical score for the game shines surprisingly bright; in tandem with the trippy stage backgrounds, the tracks create a very surreal and otherworldly experience that I would never have expected from the game, but I find the atmosphere highly captivating and very much want more of it.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly in single-player mode, where it can become boring during early matches. However, the competition does ramp up in tournament mode, providing a more engaging experience.

    • “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worth it.”
    • “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
    • “While there are moments of grinding, they are balanced by the satisfaction of leveling up.”
    • “The game becomes tedious and boring within the first match.”
    • “This game is centered around two players (or more in tournament mode); the single player is a little tedious, though the competition does increase quite a bit.”
    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the character development features clean and elegant designs, complemented by straightforward gameplay, which enhances the overall aesthetic experience.

    • “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
    • “The way the game explores each character's backstory adds layers to their personalities, making every decision feel meaningful.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy Nidhogg

Play time

6hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
1hMain story
6hCompletionist
4-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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