Viking Chess: Hnefatafl
- March 5, 2020
- Diamond Sky Games
Get on Steam"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."
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is well put together with great graphics and a smooth interface, making it visually appealing.
- It's easy to learn but offers depth in strategy, making it enjoyable for both new and experienced players.
- The AI is advanced and provides a decent challenge, and the game is regularly updated by attentive developers.
- The game can be unintuitive, especially for those familiar with the physical version, leading to confusion with rules and perspectives.
- There is a lack of multiplayer options and a low player base, making it difficult to find live opponents.
- The AI can be too easy to defeat, and there are complaints about the limited ruleset and camera control issues.
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
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 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 doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from immersion.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 what they typically enjoy, 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.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is met with mixed opinions; some find it a fascinating variation on traditional chess, while others are less impressed, suggesting that it lacks the depth of more realistic simulations. Overall, it is considered fairly priced for the experience it offers, though individual preferences vary significantly.
“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.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay features straightforward mechanics that are easy to grasp, but some players find the comparison to chess misleading, as the movement is limited to rook-like patterns. Instead, the strategic elements resemble tic-tac-toe, emphasizing the importance of the board itself and requiring players to think critically about their placements rather than eliminating pieces.
“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 find the chess comparison a bit off, as the prediction in chess deals with different pieces' abilities to move in different patterns - in this game, they can only move like a rook.”
“The strategy in this game 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 about thinking along the lines of the O's and X's in tic-tac-toe, with a bit of chess added.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, with users reporting smooth performance and no bugs or crashes.
“Everything runs smoothly and has no bugs or crashes.”
“The optimization is top-notch, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it maintains a steady frame rate and quick load times.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
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.”
