Nidhogg 2

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 647 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
Nidhogg 2 Game Cover
It's like, how much more Nidhogg could this be? And the answer is none. None more Nidhogg.
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Nidhogg 2 is a fast-paced, competitive sword fighting game with colorful, hand-drawn visuals. Matches take place in procedurally generated levels, where players duel to reach and defeat their opponent's end of the map. With various weapons, moves, and a dynamic soundtrack, Nidhogg 2 provides a frenzied, thrilling experience, both locally and online.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 647 reviews
graphics57 positive mentions
optimization4 negative mentions
  • Nidhogg 2 features a distinctive and vibrant art style that sets it apart from other titles, creating a unique visual experience.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and engaging, with intuitive controls that allow for both casual play and deep strategic combat, especially with the introduction of new weapons.
  • The multiplayer mode is a highlight, providing chaotic and competitive fun, making it an excellent choice for local play with friends.
  • The online multiplayer experience is often plagued by lag and connectivity issues, making it frustrating for players looking for competitive matches.
  • Some players find the new art style off-putting and distracting, feeling it detracts from the gameplay experience.
  • The single-player mode lacks depth and can feel repetitive, with AI opponents that do not provide a challenging experience.
  • graphics177 mentions

    Nidhogg 2 features a divisive art style that ranges from vibrant and colorful to grotesque and cluttered, with opinions split on its appeal. While some players appreciate the unique and detailed visuals, others find them distracting and less enjoyable compared to the original game's simpler graphics. Overall, the graphics contribute to a chaotic atmosphere that enhances the multiplayer experience, though they may not resonate with everyone.

    • “Nidhogg 2 impresses with its bold and distinctive art style.”
    • “The game features a vibrant, colorful aesthetic that sets it apart from other titles in the genre.”
    • “The graphics are stunningly beautiful, the sounds are super fun and the music is great, gameplay is tight as ever!”
    • “The problem is that the art style is just utterly hideous for no goddamn reason.”
    • “I was looking forward to a visual upgrade since the first game was too bland, but Nidhogg 2's visuals are too noisy and distracting.”
    • “The new characters and art style make the game unbearable.”
  • gameplay147 mentions

    Nidhogg 2 retains the fast-paced, engaging gameplay of its predecessor while introducing new weapons and environments that add depth and variety to the experience. The controls are generally responsive, though some players find them less intuitive than in the original, leading to mixed feelings about the overall fluidity of combat. While the game excels in multiplayer, offering a fun and chaotic experience, its single-player mode and some mechanics have drawn criticism for lacking challenge and consistency.

    • “With its distinctive art style, refined gameplay mechanics, and engaging multiplayer mode, Nidhogg 2 delivers a fun and frenetic experience that stands out in the realm of competitive games.”
    • “The simple controls and responsive mechanics ensure that each duel is exciting and dynamic, with plenty of room for skillful play and strategic maneuvering.”
    • “Nidhogg 2 expands upon the simple but deep gameplay of the first game while keeping the same speed, updating the looks, and adding more weapons.”
    • “But the problem is that Nidhogg 1 just feels better to play and all the mechanics were more useful, other than non-gameplay things. I can't think of anything this game does better.”
    • “The controls feel as sticky as glue and the graphics feel crude and distracting from the main focus of the original game: the gameplay mechanics.”
    • “Game mechanics are sluggish, random and don't have the same strategy and energy as the first.”
  • music84 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and immersive soundtrack, featuring contributions from notable artists that enhance the overall experience. While some players feel it doesn't quite match the memorability of the original game's music, many appreciate the variety and quality of the tracks, describing them as catchy and enjoyable. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, adding depth to the gameplay and atmosphere.

    • “The music is energetic and complements the action, adding to the game’s intense and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “Incredible soundtrack, very fun party game - good to rotate among friends.”
    • “The soundtrack is awesome; there are many tracks I could just listen to on their own.”
    • “Nothing in it matches the simplicity of its crazed dueling, and the art/soundtrack are nowhere near as stylish.”
    • “The music is also not very fitting, or at least not in-line with the last game.”
    • “Definitely a step up from the previous installment, but the music is very dull.”
  • humor30 mentions

    The humor in this game is consistently praised, particularly when played with friends, leading to uproarious laughter and memorable moments. Players highlight the game's ability to create a fun and lighthearted atmosphere, making it an excellent choice for parties and family gatherings. The combination of hilarious animations, engaging gameplay, and the joy of friendly competition contributes to its reputation as a standout comedic experience.

    • “But let's be real, this game shines brightest when you're squaring off against friends, laughing, playing mind games and yelling as you fight each other.”
    • “I got it to play with my girl and we ended up waking up the whole house from laughing and yelling.”
    • “Now what makes this game really special is that it never pisses me off, this game is the absolute fun safe space, no matter how many times I lost in PvP, or died in stupid ways, it always made me laugh and I kept on playing.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players experiencing performance issues such as stuttering and lag, even on systems that exceed the minimum requirements. Users have reported that the game can be particularly intensive, leading to locked frame rates and problems in online multiplayer. While some suggest lowering settings to improve performance, the overall sentiment indicates a pressing need for optimization patches to address these concerns.

    • “If you are having performance issues, try and persevere and lower settings.”
    • “My only complaint is when you start certain levels, the game gets locked at 30fps until you leave the screen and come back; I hope an optimization patch is released soon to negate the issue.”
    • “I am a huge fan of the original game, but the optimization on the sequel is just hideous.”
    • “I like the addition of extra weapons and a bit of customization, but as a poor boy with a low-tier PC, the horrible optimization causes my graphics card to attempt suicide and my fans screaming in pain.”
    • “Also, the game does have some optimization issues, so if you're playing on a conventional computer, expect some lag on some of the maps with a lot of background effects.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the quirky and visually striking designs that enhance the gaming experience, while others criticize the newer character designs for being overly complex and detracting from gameplay clarity. The contrast between the vibrant art style and the original's simplicity has been noted, but many feel that the animations and mechanics do not effectively complement each other, leading to confusion during gameplay. Overall, there is a sentiment that the character design changes may not meet the expectations set by the original game.

    • “The character designs and backgrounds are both quirky and visually striking, contributing to a unique and memorable gaming experience.”
    • “The art style is quite a bit more colorful when contrasted with the simplistic design of the original Nidhogg, and the character design and animations are superb.”
    • “The animations, mechanics, and character design should work in tandem to highlight the best of these attributes.”
    • “I don't like the newer character designs and I feel like they overdid the newer graphics; it feels messier and hard to maintain that laser focus that made the original Nidhogg more enjoyable and fun.”
    • “The animations, mechanics, and character design should work in tandem to highlight the best of these attributes, but instead I feel like the characters and animations let the mechanics of the game down, being too busy to clearly make out what is going on in a fight. In a game of precision like that, it's vital to retain that.”
    • “I wouldn't recommend it; just stick with the original until the devs eventually release an alternative character design and sort out the bugs in the multiplayer.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by energetic music that enhances the intense and immersive experience, complemented by appealing graphics and engaging combat. Each level introduces a unique ambiance filled with secrets and humor, contributing to a hauntingly atmospheric retro style that resonates with fans of the original. Despite some character designs being polarizing, they effectively fit within the overall atmosphere of the game.

    • “The music is energetic and complements the action, adding to the game’s intense and immersive atmosphere.”
    • “If you are any sort of fan of the first wonderfully simple, hauntingly atmospheric race to the death in glorious retro style - get this game.”
    • “All of the new levels are interesting and each brings a unique atmosphere full of secrets and laughs to test your skills.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is inconsistent, swinging between chaotic and empty, which detracts from the experience.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for being plagued with bugs and glitches, particularly in online modes, where players experience long wait times for ranked matches and issues like getting stuck in walls and hit detection problems. While some users acknowledge the fun and addictive nature of the game, the frequent crashes and instability remain a significant concern.

    • “There are some glitches I hope to be fixed soon.”
    • “Online seems to be really buggy; it takes a very long time to get into a ranked match, but unranked seems fine.”
    • “Still very buggy and glitchy... I got stuck in walls a few times, and hit detection seems off too.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers decent replayability, particularly for casual play, as all stages are accessible and cater to diverse playstyles. However, some players find the repetitious combat and limited single-player content to hinder overall replay value, and the new aesthetic may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Good for casual play with adequate replay value.”
    • “Replay value is hindered due to the repetitious and exhausting combat, limited single-player content, and not everyone will appreciate the new look.”
    • “All of the stages are playable, unlike the first game.”
    • “It is replayable because everyone is different.”
  • story3 mentions

    The game's story aspect is minimal, with some users noting the absence of a substantial narrative, suggesting it may only feature a basic single-player story mode.

    • “There is essentially no story to speak of.”
    • “The game might have a single player story mode, but it's barely developed.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game is described as fun and addicting, offering a wholesome experience that can evoke emotional engagement through its ritualistic elements, making it suitable for family play. However, the multiplayer aspect may need improvement to enhance the overall emotional connection among players.

  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviews express frustration with the game's monetization strategy, criticizing the decision to sell a title that prominently features online play while the online functionality is reportedly unplayable. This has led to dissatisfaction among players who feel misled about the game's capabilities.

    • “The monetization model is frustrating; it feels like the game is designed to push players into spending money rather than enjoying the experience.”
    • “I can't believe how many ads pop up during gameplay. It completely ruins the immersion and makes it feel like a cash grab.”
    • “The in-game purchases are ridiculously overpriced, and it feels like you can't progress without spending real money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
4-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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