Valhalla Hills

47%
Game Brain Score Based on 498 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Valhalla Hills Game Cover
Valhalla Hills is a well built title easily capable of fulfilling a short term RTS fix. It’s complex without being complicated and rewards players with dozens of unlockables for clever and calculated play. Valhalla Hills’ only real drawback is the lack of a tutorial system that allows players to learn and take advantage of all the things it has to offer. RTS hardcores should find little difficulty with this potential caltrop, but moderate and casual players might have a very hard time.
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In "Valhalla Hills," players lead a group of Vikings, seeking entry to Valhalla denied by Odin. They must guide their people across treacherous mountains, providing for their needs and overcoming challenges to prove their worthiness. With randomly generated levels and a focus on strategic improvement, players will shout their battle cry and fight to take what they deserve from the gods.

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  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

47%
Audience ScoreBased on 498 reviews
gameplay31 positive mentions
story10 negative mentions
  • Charming graphics and art style that create an enjoyable atmosphere.
  • Straightforward gameplay that is accessible for newcomers to city-building games.
  • Randomly generated maps add variety and replay value to each playthrough.
  • Repetitive gameplay with little variation in objectives across levels.
  • AI issues lead to frustrating moments where Vikings do not perform tasks efficiently.
  • Lack of a cohesive story or campaign mode diminishes long-term engagement.
  • gameplay149 mentions

    The gameplay of Valhalla Hills is characterized by its straightforward mechanics reminiscent of classic city-building games like The Settlers, making it accessible for newcomers. However, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, with basic combat and resource management mechanics that can lead to frustration. While the game offers a charming atmosphere and beautiful graphics, it struggles with clarity in its mechanics and can become monotonous over time, making it more suitable for casual play rather than deep engagement.

    • “The gameplay itself is straightforward and accessible, making it a great choice for newcomers to city-building games.”
    • “The gameplay is fun along the lines of Banished but without the community and fun items to build at the moment.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is very satisfying.”
    • “While combat is a part of the game, it’s very basic—more of a tactical afterthought than a central mechanic.”
    • “The gameplay is very simple and will remind many of the famous Settlers series.”
    • “The gameplay itself is bland, boring, without the feeling that you are really influencing the outcome.”
  • graphics119 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the charming art style and beautiful visuals that enhance the overall experience. However, some users criticize the graphics for being simplistic or reminiscent of mobile games, and there are reports of performance issues such as lag and graphical glitches. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is noted, the execution and technical performance vary significantly among players.

    • “The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is very satisfying.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, AI I would say is 80% smart, you get to build beautiful Viking villages, and the game technically has unlimited gameplay, since every time you beat a map, a randomly generated map will be created for your next level, and they do indeed get harder and harder.”
    • “Graphically appealing with an absolutely beautiful art style and an amazing soundtrack as you build up your small Viking village outside the gates of Valhalla.”
    • “The graphics and overall game design quality did not match the expectations -- they look like Lego characters... not the feel I was hoping for.”
    • “The camera work is shabby, the visuals are something a pimple-faced teenager can do in a couple of sleepless nights in his parent's basement, the feeling the game gives you is like watching paint dry.”
    • “I can run GTA 5 no problem, and this game's graphics are almost non-existent.”
  • story101 mentions

    The story in "Valhalla Hills" is largely criticized for its lack of depth and progression, with most players noting that it consists mainly of a brief introductory cutscene followed by repetitive missions that lack narrative connection. While the premise of guiding vikings to ascend to Valhalla is intriguing, the gameplay is described as a grind with minimal storytelling elements, leading to a feeling of incompleteness and disappointment among players. Overall, the game is seen as a fun experience but falls short in delivering a compelling story.

    • “The game starts with a wonderful little story about how Leko ends up banished from Valhalla as he displays signs of creativity and enjoys building and doesn't seem to care for the traditional fighting ways of the vikings.”
    • “Banished to the mortal world by Odin, you play as Leko, the god of building, as you reclaim your right and honor as a god by guiding cute, little vikings on their quest to ascend to Valhalla!”
    • “Valhalla Hills' story starts off with Odin banishing his son into the world of mortals due to his 'uncharacteristic interest' in building things instead of showing his worth through battle.”
    • “The island hopping takes place entirely without a story, without mission objectives, without quests or events and without much variety.”
    • “There is no story beyond 'vikings need a leader to ascend to Valhalla'.”
    • “The missions themselves start with no further addition to the storyline and it seems that the opening cutscene is all there is to it.”
  • music45 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and lack of variety, often leading to it becoming tiresome over extended play sessions. While some appreciate the soundtrack for enhancing the gameplay atmosphere and fitting the game's mood, others find it bland and forgettable, with minimal sound effects. Overall, the music is described as decent but could benefit from more diverse tracks to maintain player engagement.

    • “The background music really enhances the gameplay.”
    • “I like the art style and interface a lot and the music is very fitting and adds to the ambience.”
    • “Graphically appealing with an absolutely beautiful art style and an amazing soundtrack as you build up your small Viking village outside the gates of Valhalla.”
    • “The same three songs playing over and over again.”
    • “One more thing to mention is there's exactly two songs to the game's music, one for battle and one for everything else. They're both well done but get so tired after hours listening you'll just want to turn the music off.”
    • “For those that are interested - the graphics are ok, but sadly the music is dull and not in the slightest bit catchy.”
  • grinding26 mentions

    Reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium and repetitiveness associated with grinding in the game, with many players finding the achievement system particularly grind-heavy and frustrating. While some players managed to enjoy the game for a time, the overall consensus is that the grinding mechanics detract from the experience, leading to a dull and tedious gameplay loop. Players recommend caution for those seeking a more engaging or varied experience, as the grind can quickly become overwhelming and unfulfilling.

    • “If you do like to pursue achievements, then I recommend steering clear of this one at any price as the achievements are extremely grindy and require cheesing to get through them.”
    • “The biggest thing I have noticed is the repetitive, grindy nature of the game.”
    • “Not much of a story, just the same grinding over and over again.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability in the game. While some players appreciate the randomness and variety in maps, unlockable content, and quick gameplay options that enhance replay value, others criticize the lack of depth, alternative modes, and long-term goals, leading to a feeling of limited replayability overall.

    • “This randomness adds a lot of replay value.”
    • “It definitely helps increase the replayability of the game, which is important for arcade-style games like this that cater to people who don't want to play for hours upon hours (though that is certainly an option).”
    • “Loads of replayability in the form of dozens of unlockable buildings, environment types, enemies, and hats.”
    • “Just lack replayability.”
    • “No alternative game modes (aside from so-called open game, which is a joke), no complicated settings like in the 4x games to add more replayability, no multiplayer, no leaderboards, no story, no real goal, nothing.”
    • “There's no campaign and no long-term replay value at all!”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by its unique charm and immersive elements, enhanced by appealing light and reflection effects, as well as atmospheric audio that complements the serene gameplay. While the overall experience is relaxing and visually pleasant, some users noted that audio levels could be adjusted for a better experience. Despite some criticisms regarding AI functionality, the game successfully evokes nostalgia and creates a captivating environment.

    • “The game has its own charm, its own atmosphere, its own gameplay and dynamics.”
    • “Snow falls, the wind blows through the trees, and the waves lick at the shore to create an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “With the graphics and overall atmosphere of the game, it becomes a very pleasant and relaxing experience.”
    • “For a better atmosphere, make sure to adjust the audio settings, as the music is way too loud in the mix.”
    • “Atmosphere: 6.0/10”
    • “+ charming atmosphere”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some users report smooth performance and responsive gameplay on PC, others note that it struggles to run well, particularly in its current early access state. There are indications that further optimization is needed, but players appreciate the potential for improvement and the game's beautiful graphics.

    • “Good optimization xd.”
    • “Performance 10.0/10”
    • “None the less the game works great for PC and runs well, with customizable options and graphics to maximize the performance of your gameplay.”
    • “The only bad thing I would have to say so far is it's unoptimized (but not terribly).”
    • “Decent optimization.”
    • “None the less, it works great for PC and runs well, with customizable options and graphics to maximize the performance of your gameplay.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The stability of the game is largely criticized, with many users reporting significant bugs and game-breaking issues that disrupt gameplay, such as freezing and loss of progress. While a few players have experienced minimal glitches, the overall consensus indicates that the game is plagued by instability, detracting from its potential.

    • “This game is really buggy.”
    • “Very buggy, including several game-breaking issues.”
    • “Oh and just when you are about to get a viking to Valhalla, the game freezes and all your progress is lost - all new vikings at zero again, and two days later the same thing happens again.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the funny presentation and quirky personalities of the vikings. While the comedic elements enhance the relaxing gameplay experience, some reviewers note that the humor is somewhat overshadowed by gameplay issues, making it a mixed bag overall.

    • “I really like to play the game after work; it's relaxing and funny at the same time.”
    • “A relaxing sim/RTS with funny-looking vikings.”
    • “This game brought some humorous factors; for example, every viking has a name and a sort of different personality.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is positively received, with users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and additional downloadable content (DLC), indicating a preference for a straightforward purchasing model without ongoing costs.

    • “No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “The DLC policy is fair and adds meaningful content without being intrusive.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers optional purchases that don't affect gameplay balance.”
    • “The game's monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend more than they should.”
    • “I was disappointed to see that essential content is locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the full experience without spending extra.”
    • “The constant bombardment of microtransactions detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Users express mixed emotions about the game, noting that while the combat can feel monotonous and lacks clarity, the overall experience remains enjoyable due to its variety of challenges. The emotional engagement seems to fluctuate based on gameplay elements, with some players feeling disconnected during battles.

  • character development1 mentions

    While the character designs are praised for their high quality, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development throughout the game. Overall, the focus seems to be more on the visual aspects rather than the narrative or emotional growth of the characters.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
    • “The depth of character backstories and their growth over time adds a layer of complexity that enhances the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
2-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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