Viking Chess: Hnefatafl

About

"Viking Chess: Hnefatafl" is a digital board game that brings the ancient game of Hnefatafl to your PC. Play against the AI or other players in single or multiplayer modes, with a user-friendly interface and 3D graphics. Learn as you play with an interactive tutorial and earn unlockable titles to showcase your skills. The game follows the "Copenhagen Ruleset" based on "Fetlar Hnefatafl."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews

graphics3 positive mentions

story1 negative mentions

The game is well-designed and offers a faithful representation of the classic Hnefatafl, making it enjoyable for fans of strategy board games.
It features smooth gameplay with no bugs or crashes, and the graphics are visually appealing.
The AI is advanced and provides a good challenge, while the game is easy to learn, making it accessible for players of all ages.

The game can be unintuitive, with some players finding it complicated to understand the rules and mechanics, especially in a digital format.
There are complaints about the AI being too easy, lacking strategic depth, and the multiplayer experience being limited due to a low player base.
Some players have noted missing or incorrect rules compared to traditional versions of Hnefatafl, leading to confusion and frustration.

music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The music in the game is well-received, featuring two enjoyable soundtracks that loop seamlessly without becoming repetitive, even after extended playtime. Users appreciate the clean interface and the music's alignment with the game's style and era, especially considering the game's low price point. Overall, the music enhances the gaming experience significantly.
- “Regardless, the music is nice, the lighting is great, and for $5, what more could you want?”
- “There are two soundtracks (if I'm not mistaken), both in perfect loop and didn't get boring even after 12 hours.”
- “Kudos for the clean interface and music that is in keeping with the style and era of the game.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “While the interface is clean, the music doesn't enhance the gameplay experience.”
- “The soundtrack is forgettable and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics of the game are highly praised, with users noting their impressive quality and appealing design. While some players may find the 3D style different from their usual preferences, the option to switch to a 2D mode is appreciated. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Great game with equally nice graphics.”
- “The graphics might not be what I'm used to in the games I usually play, but I loved them. A totally 3D hnefatafl game (if you don't like the 3D, you can play in 2D by pressing 'Tab').”
- “+ Amazing graphics.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story aspect of the game is viewed as a fascinating yet simplistic variation on traditional chess, with some players feeling it lacks depth compared to more realistic strategy simulations. While opinions are divided, with some appreciating its unique take, others find it unsatisfactory, though many agree it offers fair value for its price.
- “Short story: I don't like it; other people think it's great. It's a fair price for what you get, though in my opinion.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The gameplay features straightforward mechanics that are easy to grasp, but some players find the comparison to chess misleading, as the movement is limited and more reminiscent of tic-tac-toe. The board's role is crucial, emphasizing strategic placement over traditional piece elimination.
- “The game mechanics are very easy to understand, but I find the chess comparison a bit off as the prediction in chess deals with different pieces' abilities to move in different patterns - in this, they can only move like a rook.”
- “The strategy in this game is more akin to 'tic-tac-toe' due to the board itself being a vital part of the gameplay. You can't 'hit' a piece with your own piece to remove it, so it's more about thinking along the lines of the O's and X's in tic-tac-toe, with a bit of chess added.”
- “The game mechanics are very easy to understand, but I do find the chess comparison a bit off, as the prediction in chess deals with different pieces' abilities to move in different patterns - in this, they can only move like a rook.”
- “The strategy in this is more akin to 'tic-tac-toe' in my opinion, due to the board itself being a vital part of the gameplay - you can't 'hit' a piece with your own piece to remove it, so it's more thinking along the lines of the O's and X's in tic-tac-toe, with a bit of chess added.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, with users reporting smooth performance and no bugs or crashes.
- “Everything runs smoothly and there are no bugs or crashes.”
- “The optimization is top-notch, allowing for a seamless gaming experience.”
- “I appreciate how well the game performs on lower-end hardware without sacrificing quality.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game suffers from numerous glitches, particularly with rear attacks failing to function properly, leading to a consensus among users to avoid investing in it.
- “So many glitches; rear attacks don't work. Do not invest.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the experience.”