Trial by Viking

About

Trial by Viking is a deep action adventure with Metroidvania-like elements, where you will travel through the dark worlds of the Norse gods, explore cavernous dungeons hunting for treasure, race for your life from surprise traps, and have vicious axe battles with blood-thirsty kobolds. Good luck!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

story4 positive mentions

monetization1 negative mentions

The platforming mechanics are tight and enjoyable, with a good variety of tools and weapons that can be customized using collected gems.
The game features a large amount of content, with over 130 levels and numerous boss battles, providing a challenging yet rewarding experience.
The graphics and level design are appealing, with a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic platformers, and the story incorporates elements of Norse mythology.

The default controls are awkward and can feel slippery, making precise movements and jumps frustrating at times.
Some levels can become tedious and overly long, leading to a loss of interest, especially in later stages with difficult mechanics like dark holes.
The combat mechanics are underwhelming, often relying on ranged attacks rather than providing a satisfying melee experience.

story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
53%
20%
The game's story, influenced by Norse mythology, is generally entertaining but lacks depth and engagement, with some players finding it standard and simplistic. While it features interesting elements and choices that affect the ending, the presentation suffers from grammatical errors and awkward control mechanics. Overall, the narrative is seen as a decent backdrop, but it could benefit from more compelling writing and voice acting.
- “Interesting setting and story, which is mostly well presented.”
- “During the story, you will be able to make some choices that will alter the ending of the game.”
- “The story itself is nothing to write home about; it's pretty standard stuff.”
- “The story is obviously influenced by Norse mythology, although very loosely.”
- “And the story itself, while mostly well, but fairly simply written, does have some grammatical errors and rather too many ellipses...”
gameplay
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The gameplay is a blend of nostalgic mechanics inspired by classic titles, such as the Bitmap Brothers' "Gods," while incorporating modern elements and a variety of puzzles and challenges. Players appreciate the constant introduction of new mechanics and level variety, although some controls can be inconsistent. Overall, the game offers enjoyable and engaging gameplay, with a solid save system that allows for easy breaks.
- “With both visual style and gameplay mechanics reminiscent of the Bitmap Brothers’ 1991 game 'Gods', Last Life Games’ developers may have been inspired by the old classic, but have clearly modernized both aspects to stay more up-to-date with developments in gaming.”
- “The save-game mechanics let you stop and restart on any level already visited, so even taking a longer break is not a problem; just go back a few levels to get into the groove again.”
- “There's a lot of level variety: bosses and minibosses every 5 levels, mobility challenges, puzzles, and lots of new mechanics being introduced throughout the game, hidden areas, etc. Impressively, the whole thing was put together by pretty much one guy.”
- “The game presents all the usual puzzles and mechanics (rotating big gears and stacking boxes), and a few novel ones (polar bear!), and while they are usually trivial enough, there are cases where the controls seemingly freak out and the box you were pushing starts flying through the air.”
- “Certain mechanics are poorly implemented.”
- “It's odd to learn a new mechanic far into the game, especially since it only makes a few appearances.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
37%
25%
The graphics are generally well-received, featuring a clear and appealing style that combines 2D and 3D elements, reminiscent of classic titles like Castlevania and Super Metroid. Players appreciate the atmospheric visuals that enhance the gaming experience without being distracting, although some note that the accompanying music could be improved. Overall, the graphics are rated positively, with a score of 7.
- “Some 2D mixed with 3D graphics that really make for some interesting models and background environments.”
- “The in-game graphics are good, with an appealing and consistent style that is easy on the eye and doesn't detract from your tasks.”
- “The graphics harken back to an era when games like Castlevania: Dracula X and Super Metroid were all the rage, for good reason.”
- “The common Unity pre-game graphics option and control settings launcher is displayed when you first run the game, with the usual resolution and full screen/windowed options, as well as the typical detail settings from fastest through to beautiful and fantastic.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a nice soundtrack that enhances the dark atmosphere and includes large, theatrical compositions that effectively build tension. However, some users feel that the music could be more developed, with a few noting that the voice acting, while minimal, is also commendable. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's ambiance.
- “A very nice soundtrack that sets a dark vibe for the game.”
- “The music is 'large' and theatrical, building up to crescendos at appropriate times and fading away into the background at others.”
- “Appealing graphics and atmospheric music.”
- “The graphics are clear, though the music is a bit underdeveloped.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
The game has received a solid replayability score of 8, indicating that players find it engaging enough to return to multiple times. Factors contributing to this include varied gameplay options and the potential for different outcomes in each playthrough. Overall, it offers a compelling experience that encourages repeated play.
- “The game offers a wealth of choices that make each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and diverse character paths, I find myself coming back for more every time.”
- “The random events and procedural generation keep the gameplay fresh, ensuring that no two sessions are ever the same.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for being overly aggressive, with many players feeling that it prioritizes profit over player experience. Some users express frustration with frequent prompts to purchase in-game items, while others appreciate the option to play without spending money, albeit at a slower pace. Overall, the consensus suggests a mixed reception, highlighting a tension between monetization practices and player enjoyment.
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that while the level design is generally strong, some levels in the 90s can become tedious, contributing to a sense of grinding as the game progresses.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game features hilarious dialogue that not only entertains but also offers various dialogue options that can influence the outcome of the final boss, adding a unique twist to the humor and gameplay experience.
- “Hilarious dialogue with different dialogue options that change the outcome of the final boss!”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever puns and witty one-liners that keep you laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game uses absurd situations and quirky characters to create laugh-out-loud moments.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by appealing graphics and immersive music, creating a captivating and engaging experience for players.
- “The game features appealing graphics and atmospheric music that truly immerse you in its world.”
- “The combination of stunning visuals and haunting soundscapes creates an unforgettable atmosphere.”
- “Every detail, from the art style to the ambient sounds, contributes to a deeply engaging atmosphere.”