Valhall
- October 21, 2020
- Blackrose Arts
Get on Steam"VALHALL is a Pre-Beta, role-playing game set in the Viking universe, offering both single-player and multiplayer modes. The game boasts first & third person directional physical melee combat and survival elements. Purchase during Pre-Beta grants access to future full game and a legendary raven axe."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has beautiful graphics and a strong Viking atmosphere, which many players appreciate.
- There is a lot of potential for future updates, and the developers are actively listening to community feedback.
- The combat mechanics, while still needing refinement, show promise and can be enjoyable once mastered.
- The game is currently in a very early access state with minimal content, leading to a lack of gameplay options and features.
- Many players feel scammed due to the long development time and the significant changes in the game's direction from a battle royale to a survival game.
- Numerous bugs and performance issues hinder the gameplay experience, making it frustrating for players.
- gameplay32 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with players praising the interesting fighting mechanics and smooth animations, but criticizing the basic mechanics for being buggy and lacking cohesiveness. Many users express a desire for more features, such as village building and character customization, while also noting that the game feels incomplete and suffers from poor optimization. Overall, while the game shows potential, it is currently viewed as an early alpha with significant issues that detract from the overall experience.
“This game is amazing... real Viking vibe with the music and all the aspects of the gameplay.”
“Animations for sword and axe are really smooth, and base building mechanics are also very easy to use.”
“Basic build mechanics seem like they are on the right track, and combat mechanics are fun.”
“Basic mechanics are lacking and littered with bugs.”
“The water mechanics in this game are so surface level (literally) like one of those games where you and AI can, and will, just walk on the sea floor and don't swim.”
“There is no gameplay here, this is a very early alpha at best.”
- graphics31 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and realism, with many users highlighting the stunning landscapes, atmospheric effects, and overall visual appeal, especially at higher settings. While some players express a desire for more realistic graphics and note occasional bugs, the consensus is that the visuals are impressive for an early access title, showcasing significant potential for future development. However, a few critiques mention outdated graphics and clunky gameplay, indicating that while the visuals are strong, the overall experience still requires refinement.
“The world is gorgeous in higher graphics settings.”
“The graphics and scenery are breathtaking in my opinion.”
“Beautiful graphics... landscapes are lifelike, particles and ray-tracing are mesmerizing.”
“They sent me a video that wasn't loading and all they do is send you a 1000-word essay about what will be in 15 years; graphics are trash.”
“The game crashes frequently, the graphics are outdated, and gameplay (even when the game does work) is clunky and terrible.”
“Don't buy it until they release an actual video game you know, like a game that we spend money on to have a good time and to have something to do; right now it's just a 'let's look at the physics and graphics.'”
- music20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to evoke a strong Viking atmosphere, with contributions from artists like Wardruna and Danheim enhancing the Norse mythology theme. However, players have expressed a desire for more variety, as the current soundtrack features limited tracks that can become repetitive. Overall, while the music is considered a highlight, there is a call for additional compositions to enrich the gameplay experience.
“This game is amazing.. real Viking vibe with the music and all the aspects of the gameplay.”
“A special mention has to go to this game's soundtrack, it really sets the tone of a game based on Norse mythology and makes me want to pick up my axe and go raiding!”
“Beautiful graphics.. landscapes are lifelike, particles & ray-tracing are mesmerizing.. & that Viking music makes my adrenaline rush through my veins & makes me want to kill someone (in the game only, of course).. developers have put in a lot of sweat into this & it is easily seen by anybody how much effort has been put in till now.”
“Add more music into the game, because there is just 1 music that keeps repeating in an endless cycle.”
“Given the game didn't come out as promised on the 22nd, but the 23rd instead, is ok and forgivable, but the only thing I am liking so far is the soundtrack.”
“Beautiful graphics.. landscapes are real life-like, particles & ray-tracing is mesmerizing.. & that viking music makes my adrenaline rush through my veins & makes me want to kill someone (in the game only, of course).. developers have put in a lot of sweat in this & it is easily seen by anybody how much effort has been put in till now.”
- stability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, as players report numerous bugs and glitches, particularly in combat and NPC behavior, which detract from the overall experience. While some users appreciate the game's potential and are willing to overlook these issues due to its early access status, many express frustration over the lack of polish and the unfinished state of the game, especially with a full launch approaching. Overall, the game is seen as a work in progress, with developers actively addressing stability issues, but it remains unstable and buggy.
“You don't expect a perfect game that is bug-free.”
“The game runs smoothly without any major crashes or glitches.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay feels, even during intense moments.”
“The combat is buggy as hell, the physics are absolutely broken, the animations don't even look complete half the time, and absolutely nothing works right.”
“The game is a mess at the moment, and the NPCs are very buggy; there is no correct AI pathing, and some NPCs wander aimlessly.”
“Then you announce it's going to be fully launched in December with all these glitches going on and no online server yet?”
- monetization11 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users expressing frustration over its lack of meaningful content and direction despite being sold at a premium price. Many reviewers feel cheated, particularly those who backed the game during crowdfunding, and recommend against purchasing it in its current early access state. Overall, the sentiment is that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, leading to disappointment and distrust among the community.
“This pre-beta is honestly just a cash grab.”
“Unfortunately this is a cash grab; if it said 'help kick start our game' I would understand, but for $36.50, even for an early access game, it feels criminal.”
“Run, don't buy this scam until it fully releases. I made the mistake of backing them on crowdfunding a long time ago, and it has been nothing but disaster after disaster. I feel cheated out of my money and would never recommend anyone pick this up in early access; this is a perfect example of a cash grab and everything wrong with crowdfunding and the early access system.”
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a significant disappointment with the game's story aspect, as players expected a single-player narrative experience but found only a lack of content and direction. The so-called "story mode" is criticized for being devoid of any meaningful plot, instructions, or engaging missions, leaving players feeling frustrated and misled. Overall, the game appears to prioritize multiplayer elements over a cohesive single-player story, leading to dissatisfaction among users.
“First it was a viking battle royale, then they wanted to expand it to other multiplayer modes, and now apparently adding singleplayer 'story' with multiplayer tests coming next week.”
“I will be returning this game and getting my money back until there is at least a story to play or online battles.”
“This is basically just a tech test which they already had but for some reason decided to release this under a new title and claim there was a singleplayer story.”
“There is no instruction on what you do in that mode, no story, no audio, text, nothing but some AI and a handful of weapons.”
“Well, I don't know what this is, but there is no story here. For now, that is what I know, and there is nothing. This game should first get their game right before they sell it for this price.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some users note it performs surprisingly well for an alpha, many criticize its initial poor optimization and performance issues, particularly on older PCs. There is a consensus that further optimization is needed as the game develops, with some players expressing disappointment in the current state of gameplay and performance.
“Surprisingly good for an alpha game and no real performance hit from it.”
“It does need more optimization, but that comes with development.”
“You need to execute on all angles at the launch and if I have to be honest, this was a sloppy performance from the team.”
“It first came out poorly optimized, which is a big issue but forgivable since it just launched.”
“Do not expect any decent gameplay or optimization at this moment; this game will run poorly on older PCs due to its poor optimization.”
“You need to execute on all angles at the launch, and to be honest, this was a sloppy performance from the team.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from its quirky bugs and absurd animations, such as characters being launched into the air and comical ragdoll physics. Players find amusement in the game's chaotic mechanics, despite frustrations with unresponsive controls and technical issues. Overall, the humor appeals to those who enjoy lighthearted, slapstick moments amidst gameplay challenges.
“You then get to enjoy zany, hilarious bugs such as spontaneously being launched into the sky, ragdolling down mountains, AI that only follow you a short distance and forget how to attack, and... actually that's about it.”
“If you like swinging a hammer around like Thor and laughing at the ragdoll animations with no actual purpose or objective, then this game is for you.”
“It was kind of funny because I thought I was just tired - no bug!”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning graphics and detailed design, creating a captivating semi/mythological environment that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers consistently highlight the impressive and immersive quality of the game's atmosphere.
“So far, so good... I like the atmosphere of the game; the graphics look really nice.”
“The atmosphere of the game looks amazing and detailed.”
“The concept of the game is great and the atmosphere is amazing.”
