Viking Chess: Hnefatafl

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Viking Chess: Hnefatafl is a single player and multiplayer strategy game. It was developed by Diamond Sky Games and was released on March 5, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

"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."

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews

graphics3 positive mentions

story1 negative mentions

The game is visually appealing and offers a smooth gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for both new and experienced players.
Hnefatafl provides a unique strategic challenge that is easy to learn but difficult to master, appealing to fans of strategy board games.
The developers are attentive and responsive to player feedback, regularly updating the game and maintaining a good level of support.

There is a lack of online multiplayer activity, which limits the game's replayability for those looking to play against others.
The AI can be too easy to defeat, making it less challenging for players who are familiar with the game's strategies.
Some players find the game unintuitive and complicated to navigate visually, with requests for better camera controls and additional rule variations.

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 affordable 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/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.”
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 variation on chess, with some players appreciating its historical context and others finding it lacking. While opinions are divided, the overall consensus suggests that it offers a fair value for its price, despite not resonating with everyone.
- “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
50%
100%
The gameplay features straightforward mechanics that are easy to grasp, but some players find the chess comparison 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 moves without the ability to capture opponent pieces.
- “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.”
- “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 has no bugs or crashes.”
- “The optimization is top-notch, allowing for seamless gameplay.”
- “I appreciate how well the game performs on lower-end systems 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.”